Now we have to be afraid of a hybrid virus where Influenza A and Respiratory Syncytial Virus apparently just fused together.
Where did this fusion occur? In a laboratory culture medium (emphasis mine).
It was discovered during a lab-based experiment designed to analyze interactions between viruses during infection to better understand clinical outcomes, pathogen behavior, and transmission.
Whether by accident or design, we are now confronted with a third Frankenvirus hand crafted in a laboratory setting.
At what point does it sink in that playing mix-n-match viruses for any reason is a really stupid idea?
Yes, really stupid idea.
Really really really stupid idea.
Almost as bad as a "therapy" that essentially destroys your immune system and locks it into a non-upgradable older version of itself. Sort of like the Windows operating system.