The Importance of Evolutionary Biology in Understanding Public Health during a Pandemic
New Year’s Eve of 2019- the beginning of a global pandemic. Here we are, more than 2 years later, and the virus is still running rampant. But why? It’s been almost 5 months since the first Covid-19 vaccine was distributed to Sandra Lindsey, an ICU nurse in New York, and now 229 million American’s have been given the vaccine, but why are we still in a pandemic? It is because American’s lack the fundamental knowledge of evolutionary biology.
This virus is rapidly evolving all around the world. We already know of multiple different strains, and now we are seeing the B.1.617 double mutant. This was bound to happen. Mutations are essential to genetic variation and lead to evolution. If a mutation is beneficial to the pathogen, then it will carry on and replicate. Remember Darwin’s finches? Natural selection? This is the same case. The fittest form of the virus in it’s environment will replicate.
The Covid-19 vaccine is incredibly beneficial in preventing the spread of Covid. However, it is important to understand that with each mutation that occurs, there is a possibility the vaccine will not be as efficient. This is because with each new mutation, the virus is now coded differently and is an altered version from the original. This new version could simply die out, or, like we are seeing now, thrive and outcompete the original strain. Now, this does not mean you shouldn’t take the vaccine- you definitely should. The vaccine still increases your chance of surviving Covid, but people need to understand that this is not granting them permanent and rapid immunity. It takes time to build immunity, so going out after the vaccine and not following CDC guidelines is causing more harm to yourself and others. Even if you were fully vaccinated, due to evolution of the virus you would still need to continue practicing social distancing and wearing masks because it is unsure whether all vaccines (Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson) will be effective against all strains. Right now, the biggest concern is if the vaccine will work against the new deadly strain called the B.1.617 in India.
But why is this important? Understanding the basics of evolutionary biology could have prepared American’s for what was to come. The virus was bound to mutate with how fast it was replicating. Understanding that the first strain may not have yield a high mortality rate but strains that followed would, could have pushed Americans to be safe, social distance, and wear their mask. If we had started this from the beginning and never stopped protecting ourselves, there is no doubt that we could have reduced the amounts of deaths and infections not just here, but globally. With the United States reopening, even though we are sharing borders with Canada- who, by the way, is on complete lockdown due to wave number 3- we are doomed to have another wave of Covid. As vaccines are being distributed rapidly, it may not be fast enough for this ever-changing virus. With every mutation, viral resistance can occur for the treatments we have, which is even more reason to take this pandemic seriously. If resistance is developed, our vaccines will become pointless, and we will be yet again 5 steps behind this deadly virus.
One day, we will walk out of our homes- no mask, no social distancing, no fear. But that day is not today and not any day soon unless we, as a nation, come together and understand what can possibly happen if you are not careful. So, this is a plea with everyone reading this. Please wear your mask, be safe, stay 6 (not 3, but 6) feet apart, and jog your memory on evolutionary biology- this may just save us from future pandemics!
