The beautiful thing about science is that once we understand how things work, we can then make intelligent decisions. There’s a lot of highly politicized and sometimes conflicting messaging floating around about the current COVID-19 pandemic raging across the globe. So we thought it would be timely to share with you some highly informative animations we have produced about the mechanisms of virus transmission and the capability of the human body’s immune system to fight back and protect us.
We hope you derive some comfort from the knowledge that at the biological level, at least, this is not a mysterious situation. There is an actual cause and effect process at work in the human body that makes this thing real and tangible.
Plus, watching these videos is a totally immersive experience. You will see things working at the cellular level, and you’ll get a chance to observe the mechanisms of infection as closely as if you were microscopic sized, traveling through the inside of a human body. We design our animations to be visually engaging, to help viewers appreciate the information on a different level.
For those of us living in areas that have already been hit hard by the pandemic, the protocols related to isolating ourselves and taking protective measures have already become second nature. Our new normal involves saying no to regular social activities, and in crowded urban areas, wearing masks if we do need to be in proximity to others. And should we develop any of the hallmark symptoms of the COVID-19 virus, such as high fever, severe cough, shortness of breath or loss of sense of smell/taste, we’re looking at prolonged periods of quarantine and possibly hospitalization. So it may be surprising to learn that in some places, people are still gathering regularly in large groups, and not taking any measures at all to prevent the spread of a virus they may not even realize they are carrying.
When you see in detail what happens inside our bodies after germs gain entry to our respiratory tracts, it brings home the necessity of safety practices that might otherwise seem too inconvenient or over-the-top. But don’t take our word for it. Have a look for yourself at how viruses work, and you’ll gain a deeper understanding of the significance of protecting yourself and all of those around you as you move through your days.
Our videos that explain the way our immune systems operate may also help inspire you in your self-care efforts. As we are increasingly being called to live privately in one place for indefinite periods of time, we might as well focus on safeguarding ourselves and our families. To that end, supporting our immune system becomes an important aspect of getting through a pandemic in good health. Knowing this may help us to focus more on basic practices like getting enough rest, eating well and doing our best to mitigate stress.
As front-line medical personnel are risking their own well-being to provide urgent, life saving care to patients already sickened by COVID-19, scientists are working furiously to develop more effective treatments and vaccines to lessen existing symptoms and prevent future infections. Demystifying the science behind this situation can help us gain perspective on where we should be putting our attention and our resources right now.
We hope you’ll find these animations as engaging and informative as we intended them to be, and especially useful as you navigate the challenging days ahead.