For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
Romans 8:22
"The bottom line is that, while of course the virus is dangerous, the
situation can be compared to a strong storm on the ocean.
The waves may be huge and the surface roiling, but the deeper waters continue as they always have, essentially undisturbed.
In a similar way, although superficially it changes very rapidly, some researchers think that the coronavirus and many other virus type have remained basically the same years.
--A virus cannot reproduce by itself;
--rather, it has to hijack a host cell’s molecular machinery to do so.
The immune system fights it every step of the way, but sometimes loses.
When the virus wins, the replication and release of its progeny can trash a cell.
If many cells are damaged by the multiplying particles, serious health consequences result.
In order to enter a cell, a protein on the surface of the virus particle must bind specifically to a “receptor” protein sticking out from the surface of the cell.
It can be likened to a skeleton key that can fit a few kinds of locks, allowing a burglar to enter a home. Once inside, the burglar can use his standard tools to loot and pillage.
But the key is key — unless the key fits, the home is safe.
Viral mutations can change the shape of the skeleton key at random. Most of the time the process doesn’t work but, every once in a while, the virus hits the jackpot."
EN&V
Romans 8:22
"The bottom line is that, while of course the virus is dangerous, the
The waves may be huge and the surface roiling, but the deeper waters continue as they always have, essentially undisturbed.
In a similar way, although superficially it changes very rapidly, some researchers think that the coronavirus and many other virus type have remained basically the same years.
What Is a Virus?
Viruses are scraps of genetic material (some composed of DNA, some of RNA, usually wrapped in a protein coat) whose total genetic information ranges from about one ten-thousandth to about one millionth that of the human genome.
--rather, it has to hijack a host cell’s molecular machinery to do so.
The immune system fights it every step of the way, but sometimes loses.
When the virus wins, the replication and release of its progeny can trash a cell.
If many cells are damaged by the multiplying particles, serious health consequences result.
In order to enter a cell, a protein on the surface of the virus particle must bind specifically to a “receptor” protein sticking out from the surface of the cell.
It can be likened to a skeleton key that can fit a few kinds of locks, allowing a burglar to enter a home. Once inside, the burglar can use his standard tools to loot and pillage.
But the key is key — unless the key fits, the home is safe.
Viral mutations can change the shape of the skeleton key at random. Most of the time the process doesn’t work but, every once in a while, the virus hits the jackpot."
EN&V