Early this just-finished winter, physicians in Wuhan, China, became aware of cases of a new flu-like illness. It was related, as a so-called coronavirus, to the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome virus (SARS). SARS wrought havoc in China in 2003, causing some 8,000 infections, along with a mortality rate of at least 10 percent. It brought martial law to Beijing and elsewhere in China.
The new pathogen is also a coronavirus, thought to be endemic in bats, and transmitted to humans by an as yet unknown pathway (possibly the pangolin, a lovable denizen of the tropics).
The holocaust in China since December has now done previously unimaginable harm, with tens of thousands or more infected in the nation and a death rate comparable to SARS, bringing much of China to a panicky halt. And now there are hundreds of thousands – or more – cases in the world, and many thousands of deaths as the pandemic rolls on.
All of the noble doctors and other health providers who perished, such as Dr. Li Wenliang, who left a child and an infected pregnant wife--and there were many more--fearlessly confronted the disease, but without one crucial piece of information: namely, how it spread. It was known that the virus could jump from some animals to other animals, and from one person to another, but how exactly did it get from other animals to humans?
Throughout southern China exist hundreds of technically illegal markets, often huge, such as the one in Wuhan, holding wild species, some endangered, that are not legal to sell or eat. But they are consumed anyway. Bats are sold there, and bats are known to harbor the new coronavirus, as do many other unfortunate creatures. A mainstream story developed saying that the viruses jumped from the bats to another species, and thence to people.
The search is on for this creature. However, it probably does not exist and the whole theory about the virus is probably wrong. The simplest explanation for the epidemic is that somehow a form of the new coronavirus, which normally cannot infect human beings, either appeared through natural mutation and spread, or was engineered in a specially protected research facility for just such perilous work.
The epicenter of the infection is in Wuhan, Hubei, China’s great riverine transportation hub, with a population of 11 million — much bigger than New York. A vast wild animal market has long been there. But no way exists to demonstrate that this “wet market” is point zero. Quite the opposite, for a significant number of infections cannot be traced to the animals there.
Also in Wuhan is the Wuhan Institute of Virology and another laboratory configured specifically for such highly dangerous experiments as modifying bacteria and viruses so that they can yield vaccine or be used as biological weapons. These were built over 10 years with French assistance. That French plan for a research partnership fell through but the state-of-the-art, level 4 (the highest-security) laboratory remained, and was put to use.
Now we approach the crux of the matter.
The findings of a long-term study, sponsored by the University of North Carolina, were published in Nature in August 2015. Nature is the most authoritative and trusted regular journal publishing new scientific results. Sixteen international experts participated in the study, including Dr. Zheng-li Shi and Dr. Xing-yi Ge, both of the level four laboratory in Wuhan. Here, with some explanation is what they reported:
“. . . We generated and characterized a chimeric virus expressing the spike of bat coronavirus in a mouse-adapted SARS-CoV [coronavirus] backbone. The [result] could] efficiently use multiple orthologs [genetically unrelated variants] of the human SARS receptor, angiotensin converting enzyme II (ACE ) to enter, reproduce efficiently in primary human airways cells, and achieve in vitro titers [sufficiently lethal concentrates] equivalent to epidemic strains of SARS-CoV.”
In other words, using one component of the new coronavirus and another one of SARS, one could create a new virus having a deadliness close to that of SARS and able to cross the species barrier, be fruitful and multiply, killing large numbers of victims, particularly elderly people.
From a virological standpoint, this was an important breakthrough in understanding how viruses can propagate into new species. The doctors in the experiments, however, were shocked by its medical implications: Neither monoclonal antibodies nor vaccines killed it. The new virus, which was replicated and christened SHC104, [demonstrated] “robust viral replication, in vitro [lab-ware] and in vivo” [living creatures].
“Our work” the authors noted fearfully, “suggests a potential risk of SARS-CoV emergence from viruses now circulating in bat populations.” It seems likely to me that the new coronavirus did emerge in some such way, as a result of error at the Chinese P4 laboratory. Perhaps the search was for a vaccine. Less likely is that it was the result of research to create a biological weapon, for though such research is widespread worldwide (restarted in 1969 in the United States), the coronavirus is, in one sense, mild: Some people die, but most recover. It is not anthrax.
In any event, I think that an innocent but catastrophic mistake at the Wuhan P4 lab is now bringing something like Götterdämmerung to China.
If components of the new bat virus were connected in the laboratory to those of the known SARS virus, the result was a “virus that could attach functionally to the human SARS receptor, angiotensin converter enzyme II, with which it had similarities but no kinship (“orthologs”). The species barrier was thus crossed with a laboratory-created virus that could copy itself, reproduce in human airways, e.g., the lungs, and produce in glass laboratory equipment the equivalent of titers (amounts of liquid sufficiently concentrated) to achieve the strength of epidemic strains of SARS.
One intriguing piece of evidence appeared very briefly in the Chinese press.
{Prof. Richard Ebright, the laboratory director at the Waksman Institute of Microbiology and a professor of chemistry and chemical biology at Rutgers University} “cited the example of the SARS coronavirus, which first entered the human population as a natural incident in 2002, before spiking for a second, third, and fourth time in 2003 as a result of laboratory accidents.”
This article disappeared almost instantly but its contents have been circulating in Southeast Asia.
It indicates that laboratory mishaps were involved in SARS. So the same possibility cannot be ruled out now. The original article has been expunged in China, including from the Caixin archives.
Since then no more technical or scientific evidence has appeared. So we wait for an explanation from the Chinese government.
In China, the fabric of the society is tearing; its foundations and structures are bending and stooping under the lash of a deathly microorganism, apparently made by humans and somehow released, the effects of which few conceived or expected. Now populations of tens of millions around the world face and may well pay the ultimate price. The all-knowing Chinese Communist Party looks absurd and corrupt. In Wuhan supplies are scarce and crematories have worked 24/7 to dispose of the dead. The self-sacrificing medical profession, however, has little idea of where to turn for a cure.
We are in the midst of a global tragedy. Officials of the despotic Chinese government, which designed and built the Wuhan facility, seem ignorant about what they set in motion, while the biologists, with perhaps some exceptions, will recoil, as will subsequent generations, with what they have wrought.
He has been the Lauder Professor of International Relations in the Department of History at the University of Pennsylvania, since 1997. He works mostly on the history of Asia, China in particular; the problem of nationalism, and the study of war and violence in history. Educated at Harvard (A.B. ’71 summa cum laude Valedictorian, PhD ’81) and in Asia where he lived for four years before returning to Harvard. He previously taught at Princeton University, the U.S. Naval War College (Newport, RI) and Brown University.
His publications include The Great Wall of China: From History to Myth (1989) also in Chinese and Italian; The Modernization of Inner Asia (1991); How the Peace Was Lost: The 1935 Memorandum "Developments Affecting American Policy in the Far East" Prepared for the State Department by John Van Antwerp MacMurray (1992) also in Japanese; From War to Nationalism: China’s Turning Point, 1924-1925 (1995) also in Chinese, and (with Daniel Moran) The People in Arms: Military Myth and National Mobilization since the French Revolution (2003).
Related Slideshow: Impact of Coronavirus on Rhode Island Colleges - March 2020
Johnson & Wales University to Move to Online and Remote Instruction
Johnson & Wales University announced that non-culinary lab academic classes will move to online and remote instruction starting Monday, March 16 through Sunday, April 12.
All culinary and equine labs will not be held for two weeks, from March 16 through March 29.
All campuses will remain open during this period as JWU moves to the virtual delivery of academics.
All residence halls will remain open; however, students may choose to return home during this time period.
CCRI Stays on Break - Then Moves to Online Learning
CCRI President Meghan Hughes released the following statement about how the state's community college will proceed.
"The spread of the COVID-19 coronavirus around the world and within our own community presents an unprecedented situation for our college. It is our goal to face this situation with the health, wellness, and safety of our entire community at the forefront of our decision-making. I am writing with an important update regarding CCRI's latest actions in response to COVID-19. We believe that CCRI has an imperative to take further actions to slow the spread of the virus in our communities and protect our students, faculty, and staff.
As part of this ongoing effort to limit the risk of a COVID-19 outbreak and to mitigate potential community spread of the virus, CCRI has made the decision to extend spring break for students through Sunday, March 22 and move to remote instruction beginning Monday, March 23.
We have made this decision after careful consideration of guidance from the Rhode Island Department of Health and with the best interest of all of us – and our families, friends, and neighbors – in mind. The CCRI community is a strong one, and I have great confidence in our ability to navigate this situation together.
At this time, there are no known cases of COVID-19 within our college. The goal of the actions outlined below is to limit the number of instances where community members are gathered in large groups and spend periods of time in close proximity with each other in classrooms and common spaces throughout our campuses. By decreasing the number and proximity of people on our campuses, we can limit the exposure to COVID-19 for all members of our community.
Thank you for your patience and resilience as we respond to this evolving situation.
Moving to Remote Learning
Beginning Monday, March 23, CCRI will deliver classes remotely through at least Friday, April 3, 2020. During this period, face-to-face instruction is suspended. Faculty will be in contact with their students regarding their plans for remote instruction prior to March 23, 2020 so that students can prepare effectively.
All of the college-based student support resources that our students need to be successful in their coursework will be available during this time, including our libraries, computer labs, Student Success Centers, and Advising and Counseling, among others.
We understand that transitioning to remote instruction is a significant adjustment for everyone in our community, and we are committed to supporting our students, faculty, and staff through this process. Over the past few weeks, college leadership has been preparing for a range of scenarios, including this one, and as a result, the work to deliver courses remotely has already begun.
Labs, Studios, Music, Theater, and Productions
Faculty will be developing plans for these specific learning opportunities in the coming days and will provide affected students with further guidance prior to March 23.
Clinicals, Fieldwork, and Internships
We are currently assessing the status of students engaged in clinicals, fieldwork, and internships to determine what, if any, alternatives will be necessary during this time, and the college will communicate with those students about any required adjustments prior to March 23.
Workforce Partnerships' Programs
We are currently assessing all of our offerings in the Division of Workforce Partnerships and will be creating alternative solutions where needed.
Faculty
During the week of March 16, 2020, faculty will be transitioning their classes to the remote learning platform, Blackboard. Led by Academic Affairs, training, technical, and other support will be provided during the period that remote teaching is required.
We recognize that transitioning to remote instruction is a significant adjustment for everyone in our community, and we are committed to providing the necessary support to our students, faculty, and staff.
Staff
While the college transitions to remote learning, our campuses will remain open. Staff are expected to report to work. Please look for a forthcoming communication from Human Resources providing additional information.
Student Employees and Work Study
Many students participate in essential work functions for the college or rely on work study programs. Students working in roles at the college may continue working in their roles at this time. Students working off-campus via work study should follow the guidance of their work-study partner regarding reporting to their internship.
Next Steps
Later today, Vice President of Academic Affairs Rosemary Costigan will be contacting faculty with instructions for transitioning to the college’s remote platform. Department chairs will work with their deans to communicate specific instruction plans to students and faculty.
As we continue to work together throughout this challenging time, I ask that we all stay informed during this transition. We will continue to send out regular updates to our college community. I urge all students, faculty, and staff to monitor their CCRI email regularly and to frequently check our website for important information regarding this transition to remote learning and other actions we are taking to ensure the continuity of college operations.
For students with specific questions or concerns, please contact Michael Cunningham, Dean of Students, by email at [email protected]. Faculty should contact their department chair or dean and staff should contact their supervisor.
I know that this period is a time of worry for many in our community. I also know that this college is filled with a community of people who will come together in support of each other. Thank you very much for all you are doing for CCRI.
Providence College announced Wednesday that it is suspending all in-person classes through its Easter break (from Monday, March 16 through Monday, April 13th) as a precautionary measure with regard to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Classes will be delivered via digital technology beginning Wednesday, March 18. (The College is currently on spring break, and classes had been scheduled to resume on Monday, March 16.)
The College plans to resume in-person instruction on Tuesday, April 14th; however, those plans could change depending on the severity and extent of the outbreak.
In addition, the College is in the process of postponing and/or cancelling all on-campus meetings and events expected to bring external groups to campus in numbers of 100 people or more.
Roger Williams University Moves to Online Learning
Roger Williams University has told students not to return from spring break and is offering classes online.
The University joins a growing number of colleges and universities who are ending classroom instruction in order to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.
Brown to Transition to Remote Learning Due to Coronavirus Concerns; Students Out March 22
Brown University in Providence announced Thursday morning it is transitioning to remote classes due to coronavirus concerns.
Brown President Christina Paxson made the announcement to the community.
Brown Announcement
Dear Members of the Brown Community,
As you are aware, novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has continued to spread across the country and the world. Although there is still great uncertainty about the ultimate extent and severity of the pandemic, we must be prepared for a situation in which the virus becomes very widespread in the United States, including Rhode Island.
I am writing to announce the steps we will take to keep our community safe while making it possible for students to complete the semester. But first, I want to explain why we are taking these actions.
Our first priority is to protect the health of our students and employees. Fortunately, the COVID-19 mortality rate for young adults appears to be quite low. However, there are Brown students and employees who, due to age or underlying health conditions, may be at significant risk if they contract the virus. We must take steps to protect them, as well as other vulnerable members of the local community who interact with Brown students on a regular basis.
A major concern is that Brown simply does not have the facilities or personnel needed to manage the large-scale quarantine or isolation of students that would be necessary if the virus begins to spread through our residential student community. The only way to limit this risk is to dramatically reduce the number of students residing at Brown.
For these reasons, we have made the very difficult decision to move academic instruction for all undergraduate and graduate students to remote learning effective Monday, March 30.
Undergraduate students who live in on-campus residences or Brown-owned properties must vacate their residences as soon as possible and no later than Sunday, March 22, and complete the semester from their homes or at an alternate location away from campus. Exceptions will be made for undergraduate students whose circumstances would prevent them from leaving campus due to international travel restrictions or other extraordinary circumstances.
Classes will be cancelled during the week of March 16 so that faculty have time to prepare to transition courses to remote learning, and students have time to pack and arrange for travel. Reading week will be devoted to making up the missed week of classes, and faculty can plan to teach during that period. These changes do not apply to most students in the Warren Alpert Medical School, which will communicate any changes or restrictions directly to medical students.
It’s important to note that Brown University will remain open, and academic and administrative offices will continue to operate. Unless they are ill or caring for family members, employees will continue their work. The various offices that support students are making plans to offer their services remotely.
A concise list of cancellations and restrictions follows this letter, and a number of communications will be shared with specific groups of Brown community members later today. You’ll see that the University has implemented additional restrictions for events and visitors to campus as we continue to consider health and safety in all that we do.
I am sorry to have to share such heartbreaking news. The best part of Brown is the interactions we have with each other, in classrooms, dormitories and around campus. I especially feel for our seniors whose “senior spring” is being severely disrupted. My hope is that by May, the virus will have abated and we will be able to welcome our seniors and their families back to campus for Commencement and Reunion Weekend. We will keep everyone informed about plans for Commencement and Reunion Weekend in the weeks to come, as we learn more about the spread of the virus.
I’m grateful to everyone on campus working to respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19 and to the entire Brown University community for your understanding, resilience and commitment to taking care of each other.
Rhode Island School of Design Shuts Down - Moves Online
The school announced:
Dear Members of the RISD community,
I write you today as COVID-19 continues to evolve. I know our community feels anxious and uncertain about what lies ahead – please know that a number of people across our institution have been working around the clock to determine how best to keep our community safe while maintaining continuity, and I am grateful to each of them for their tireless efforts.
While there continue to be no known cases of COVID-19 at RISD and the recent tests on three Brown students came back negative, the potential for the situation to change is real and cannot be ignored. My paramount concern is your health and wellbeing. I am also focused on our responsibility as good citizens to help mitigate risk for our surrounding communities. After a great deal of consideration, RISD’s leadership team and I have decided that we must alter our plans for the remainder of the spring semester.
Starting Monday, March 16, we are canceling all in-person gatherings greater than 100 attendees for the remainder of the semester. If you are in charge of an event of this size, you must cancel, reschedule or move it online.
Friday, March 20 will be the final day that classes meet in-person. Spring break will be held as usual from March 23 to 27. As of Monday, March 30 through the end of the semester, all classes will be taught remotely.
On Sunday, March 22 at noon, residence halls will close for the remainder of the semester. If you reside on campus and are not able to return to your permanent residence, we have established a process by which you may request accommodations. The Office of Residence Life will communicate with you today about that process.
All institutional offices will remain open and operations will continue as usual until further notice.
We have many more decisions to make in the coming days and weeks, including what these changes will mean for institutional milestones like Collection, Grad Show and Commencement. We will move as quickly as possible to address these open questions and appreciate your patience as plans are made.
These changes will be disruptive and challenging for all of us but I believe this is the right course of action for our community’s wellbeing. No one navigates difficult situations and uncertainty better than artists and designers. I have every confidence that, with flexibility, creativity and grace, we can come together as a community to persevere through this extraordinary time together.
URI will shift to remote classes the following week, beginning March 23.
“We do not undertake any of these changes without careful consideration of the hardships and inconvenience that they may impose. Thank you for your patience and your understanding, as we navigate this challenging situation,” said URI in a statement.
According to the school, Thursday, March 12, there will be an information hotline.
Those with questions can dial 401-874-3082. The hotline will be staffed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
All administrative and faculty offices remain open.
A message from Dr. Kelli J. Armstrong - March 12, 2020
Dear Salve Regina Community:
I know that many of you are anxious in these uncertain times as we navigate the fast-changing environment caused by the outbreak of the coronavirus. We have no presumptive or confirmed cases of coronavirus at Salve Regina University, but as a Mercy institution, our mission impels us to act on behalf of our students, faculty, staff and extended community in service to the common good.
Rhode Island Gov. Gina Raimondo has declared a state of emergency and health officials are strongly urging aggressive measures to prolong containment as much as possible to mitigate any risks to our population. The health and safety of our students, faculty and staff is our utmost priority. We would be remiss to not also consider our limited capacity to manage a widespread outbreak on campus.
With the support of public health officials, Salve Regina’s Emergency Management Team is implementing the following measures:
Salve Regina will be extending its spring break through Friday, March 27. Beginning Monday, March 30, students will transition to remote learning through Easter break. Students will not be returning to campus during this time and should remain in their permanent residences.
Residence halls and campus dining will be closed through Easter break. Students will return to campus Monday, April 13 unless otherwise notified.
University faculty will be using the period between March 23-27 to solidify their remote learning plans and will reach out to students with specific instructions for each course.
To accommodate for the extension of spring break, the academic year will be extended by one week. Further details will be forthcoming.
Students with extenuating circumstances that prevent them from remaining at their permanent residences can apply for an exemption through Residence Life. Exceptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The extended housing request form is accessible at salve.edu/myhousing.
All athletic events and campus activities scheduled during this time will be cancelled. Public events on campus with more than 100 attendees have been cancelled or adjusted in accordance with guidelines provided by the Rhode Island Department of Health.
University offices will remain open and faculty and staff will continue to report to campus, but for those with compromised health situations, we ask that you consult with your supervisor regarding alternative options. We have instituted additional cleaning measures to ensure that our campus is as safe as possible.
Our Emergency Management Team will continually assess the situation and will be in close communication with the Salve Regina community throughout this time. The most up-to-date information will reside on our website.
I realize that these difficult decisions have a profound impact on your educational experience, but by instituting containment and social distancing protocols, we are seeking to do our part to slow the spread of the disease and promote the health and well-being of our students, faculty, staff, and local community.
I am grateful for your care and generosity in accompanying one another during these unprecedented times. We continue to hold in our hearts and prayers all those who have already been affected by this global pandemic.
