To be worried about biowarfare?

[BeenAroundTheWorldAndIII]

Just that really.

With the new alliance between UK, USA and Australia to counter China, along with headlines popping up on my phone of China's antics in Taiwan and supposed leaked documents of biological and genetic weapons that will be used for war/victory I'm starting to feel a bit nervous.

I thought the idea that covid came from a lab had been completely rejected, but now there are questions it was leaked from a lab?

I'm probably over reacting... so someone who understands the way of the world a bit more than me please come along and tell me IABU!!

Can I recommend that you read Failures of State? Not quite as convinced as I once was that covid-19 occurred naturally

No, I think YANBU and it is one of major threats in the coming years.

This pandemic has showed a very drastic difference between states with dictatorial / semi-dictatorial regimes and soft democracies, and how well they handled the fallout. The prize has already proven to be quite sweet.

@ohfourfoxache

Can I recommend that you read Failures of State? Not quite as convinced as I once was that covid-19 occurred naturally

I will look at it, is it a reputable source? I don't much like the internet for all the false information. I don't want to go down a rabbit hole of conspiracy nonsense on YouTube... Although I suppose an article by the Sun probably isn't reliable either! Just don't know what to think these days. China is a worry though (or is it!?)

I studied biology and have worked with a virus that can theoretically be weaponized. Biological warfare is not a great tool to be honest. Very imprecise, and there is a good chance your own people will be hit as hard as your enemy. For terrorists maybe, but they'd have a much easier time using bombs or chemical weapons.

I was under the impression that the lab leak theory was becoming more accepted as the coincidence of it originating in Wuhan was too great.

I don't necessarily draw the subsequent conclusion however that it was engineered for the purpose of biowarfare. A global pandemic has long been predicted, and it does make sense to me that scientists may mess about with viruses in order to investigate how they work and therefore how we might tackle them. That doesn't seem all that sinister to me, but I may be being naive.

@DoubleHelix79

I studied biology and have worked with a virus that can theoretically be weaponized. Biological warfare is not a great tool to be honest. Very imprecise, and there is a good chance your own people will be hit as hard as your enemy. For terrorists maybe, but they'd have a much easier time using bombs or chemical weapons.

Yes, sorry, that is what the article said 'bacteria bombs'. Anthrax and/or weaponised corona virus. Reassuring point to think they would also risk exposing there own people. However, they did a pretty impressive job at getting a handle on it, and keeping a handle on it... or perhaps that only how it's reported?

@MrsTophamHat

I was under the impression that the lab leak theory was becoming more accepted as the coincidence of it originating in Wuhan was too great.

I don't necessarily draw the subsequent conclusion however that it was engineered for the purpose of biowarfare. A global pandemic has long been predicted, and it does make sense to me that scientists may mess about with viruses in order to investigate how they work and therefore how we might tackle them. That doesn't seem all that sinister to me, but I may be being naive.

Yes I take your point and could see how 'a leak' may not be intentional but a possibility. But with all the other stuff on top, it just gets my heart racing. Like you say, there have been predictions of a pandemic for a long while, so that in itself isn't my primary concern

OP. don't read the sun, other rags or conspiracy channels.

Look at this from Pool Re, for example (a semi-governmental reinsurer covering financial losses from terrorism events in the UK). The post-conference summary is free to check.

www.poolre.co.uk/bioterrorism-thinking-the-unthinkable/

Also this paper on the plausibility of CBRN attacks:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975077/Global_Britain_in_a_Competitive_Age-_the_Integrated_Review_of_Security__Defence__Development_and_Foreign_Policy.pdf

Tbh on my list of dreadful things to be worried about this isnt near the top.

Look up solar flares.

I'm probably over reacting

You're not.

YANBU.

[quote forinborin]OP. don't read the sun, other rags or conspiracy channels.

Look at this from Pool Re, for example (a semi-governmental reinsurer covering financial losses from terrorism events in the UK). The post-conference summary is free to check.

www.poolre.co.uk/bioterrorism-thinking-the-unthinkable/

Also this paper on the plausibility of CBRN attacks:

assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/975077/Global_Britain_in_a_Competitive_Age-_the_Integrated_Review_of_Security__Defence__Development_and_Foreign_Policy.pdf[/quote]
I agree. The Sun isn't a valid source. I haven't been out looking for information, it's just what pops up.
I actually have very little time to pay attention to the goings on in the world with 2 under 2. My days of media (if any) consist of peppy pig or nursery rhyme videos. I'm staying up past my bedtime tonight to be on MN. Perhaps it's better for me to switch off and remain ignorant 🤦‍♀️🤣
I will check out the links and try get my information from more reputable sources!

Although YANBU, I'd try not dwell on it.
We mere persons have zero control of this stuff so why live life in a state of worry, anxiety or fear.
Focus on the happy shit, I say.:)

As for covid, I thought the latest was it was a leak from lab but not as a biowarfare agent.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02366-0

@DamnUserName21

Although YANBU, I'd try not dwell on it. We mere persons have zero control of this stuff so why live life in a state of worry, anxiety or fear. Focus on the happy shit, I say.:)

I just fear for my children and my inability to protect them. However, you are right. You cannot worry a problem away!

[quote DamnUserName21]As for covid, I thought the latest was it was a leak from lab but not as a biowarfare agent.

www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-02366-0[/quote]
It could have well been public knowledge. I have up with it all around the time scientists we're finally allowed to enter wuhan for my own sanity, and the kids pretty much have nursery rhymes on repeat on the tv!

@BeenAroundTheWorldAndIII
This may sound morbid but I comfort myself in that if there is a bio war, nuke, solar flare, whatever, chances are my DC and I will die together and will be together eternally.

I can remember two 'hot topics' from my virology lectures best part of 20 years ago- the idea that cervical cancer can be caused by HPV virus (that was a proper shocker around the room) AND there were rumours of a jab being developed as a result.

And the other was about biological warfare. It's a topic I wish we'd covered more of and we know how the HPV vaccine rumour played out, to great success really, so when covid first happened I did wonder.

But as PPs have said biological agents have the problem of being indiscriminate, and potentially difficult to move/distribute in any number, which is maybe why there haven't been (m)any other outbreaks that looked likely.

I don't know. I'm normally very non-conspiracy but that set of lectures has always stayed with me. I can remember bugger all about the rest of the module!

www.amazon.co.uk/Failures-State-Inside-Britains-Coronavirus/dp/0008430527?tag=mumsnetforu03-21

@BeenAroundTheWorldAndIII it’s by a couple of Times journalists so I’ll let you decide whether they are reputable or not 😂