PANDEMIC

The 2nd edition of PANDEMIC (Clinical Press 2021) updates the history of plagues and provides extra chapters concentrating on the origin of the Covid-19 pandemic, treatment, vaccination and the effect of lockdowns. As one furloughed doctor said the first edition sorted out my mind. We are very lucky to be living in the 21st century and comparison with the many plagues of the past puts the Covid-19 pandemic in its place. The second edition continues this cathartic exercise and puts into some order the origin, the prevention and the treatment of the condition. Historical records show that people who work with viruses are often prone to accidental escapes from their laboratories like the one giving origin to COVID-19. The lessons of history are heavily in favour of the lab-leak theory compared with the now-discredited theory of zoonotic origin. Interspersed with the serious history are true personal anecdotes and a few ridiculous cartoons. The author points out: Laughing at the things we fear is one of the best ways of putting those fears into perspective.