After the COVID-19 pandemic, our lives have completely changed. Various distancing policies have been strangling daily life, and non-face-to-face systems and masks have permeated all parts of society. In other words, the epidemic that swept the world brought regarding a profound impact and change in local communities.
This is the reason why this book illuminates the struggle with microbes. Humanity has always waged an endless struggle for survival once morest microorganisms. Infectious diseases such as Corona 19 have changed the social system and the wind of change has appeared in human behavior patterns. In other words, the power of microbes has not changed even in ancient times, when mankind was in an unsanitary environment, and in modern times armed with the latest medicine and advanced technology.
Then, is there no way to stop the infinite war and fight between humans and microbes? The author says, “Viruses exist at the root of life on Earth and do not disappear unless the Earth perishes.”
If the war once morest microorganisms cannot be stopped, we must look back at the history so far and find a way to coexist.
The book lists exciting episodes related to microorganisms.
For example, it takes regarding 30 years for humans to change generations, but E. coli divides once every 20 minutes if the conditions are right.
This is because the rate of evolution of microorganisms is 500,000 to 1 million times faster than humans.
Human history is only regarding 200,000 years old, but the fact that microorganisms have survived 4 billion years proves their persistence.
In addition, the book deals with notorious microorganisms such as Ebola virus and AIDS, as well as infectious diseases that swept Japan, such as measles, congenital rubella syndrome, and adult T-cell leukemia.
In Chapter 1, ‘Ebola hemorrhagic fever and dengue fever, the shock of a sudden epidemic’, it is known that infectious diseases can return at any time by giving representative examples that remind people living in the present of the threat of infectious diseases.
Chapter 2, ‘200,000 Years of Global Environmental History and the Relentless Challenge of Infectious Diseases’ lists historical events caused by infectious diseases, establishes the relationship between humans and microbes, and introduces the historical impact.
Chapter 3 explains in detail the infection route, symptoms, and current situation of ‘viruses and bacteria that have coexisted with mankind’ that have continued until now.
In Chapter 4, the case of Japan is cited, pointing out that infectious diseases that were thought to be forgotten in the past, such as tuberculosis and measles, can recur at any time.
The author said, “Microorganisms and viruses are expected to change their appearance once every 10 years and re-emerge, threatening the fate of mankind. Viruses exist at the root of life on Earth and will not disappear unless the Earth is destroyed. don’t,” he says.
