(no subject)

Unlike severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars), which causes infections deep in the lower respiratory tract that can result in pneumonia, Covid-19 appears to inhabit both the upper and lower respiratory tracts.

That would make it capable of not only causing severe pneumonia, but also spreading easily like flu or the common cold.

... Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH) emphasised on Thursday that the publication recognised close contact and respiratory droplets are still the predominant mode of transmission for the virus.

MOH said the publication also contained three caveats for aerosol transmission: That it is possible with prolonged exposure, through high concentrations, and in a closed environment.

An example of such an environment would be an Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/east-asia/coronavirus-spreads-more-like-flu-than-sars-chinese-study
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2001737

Ok. The study would explain the recent death of the Chinese neurosurgeon and the need to wear masks.

Fucking–moron–in-chief

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/world-us-canada-51582020/what-was-that-all-about-donald-trump-mocks-oscars-winner-parasite

At the same time I totally understand how Trump's nostalgic xenophobia appeals to a marginal middle-aged voter somewhere in Wisconsin.

The last invention

Can't wait.

The arrival of superintelligence will clearly deal a heavy blow to anthropocentric worldviews. Much more important than its philosophical implications, however, would be its practical effects. Creating superintelligence may be the last invention that humans will ever need to make, since superintelligences could themselves take care of further scientific and technological development. They would do so more effectively than humans. Biological humanity would no longer be the smartest life form on the block.

--- Nick Bostrom, 2003.

https://nickbostrom.com/views/transhumanist.pdf

I wonder how it feels to be someone's dog.

(no subject)

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