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It s been more than a year since the first cases were identified in China, yet the exact origins of the COVID-19 pandemic remain a mystery. Though strong evidence suggests that the responsible coronavirus originated in bats, how and when it crossed from wildlife into humans is unknown.
In a study published online Jan.12 in the journal
mBio, an international team of 15 biologists say this lack of clarity has exposed a glaring weakness in the current approach to pandemic surveillance and response worldwide.
In most recent studies of animal-borne pathogens with the potential to spread to humans, known as zoonotic pathogens, physical specimens of suspected wildlife hosts were not preserved. The practice of collecting and archiving specimens believed to harbor a virus, bacteria or parasite that s under investigation is called host vouchering.
for The Fence Post
Most aging city folks can’t wait to retire. Ranchers, well… they keep right on working. Because it’s nearly impossible to terminate lifelong muscle memory or that “6 a.m. to way late o’clock p.m.” routine.
Jo Geer was born at home 75 years ago on the Walden, Colo., ranch where she and her two siblings spent their early lives. The only reason she left in 1964 was to marry Marc Allard, whose family also ranched nearby.
The newlyweds remained on Marc’s large ranch, raising up to 1,000 head of cows and calves, until they received an offer they couldn’t pass up. Arapaho National Wildlife, a federal government affliliate, was buying up properties all around them to raise ducks. Sold! The ducks moved in and the Allards flew the coop!