People can learn pandemic control tactics from plant pathologists

Screenshot from Texas A&M AgriLife newsletter, an interview by Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof.

“Disease outbreak frequently happens in plants. Humans may draw lessons from plant pathologists on how to cope with pandemic.” I read this idea from an interview by Dr. Karen-Beth Scholthof on Texas A&M AgriLife newsletter.

Simply put, a triangle comprising of three factors – a susceptible host, a favourable environment, and a virulent pathogen – can be used to explain the plant disease cycle. Plant breeders try to break the cycle to minimize the pathogen harm. They may select or modify the plants to improve their resistance to disease. Alternatively, they use chemicals to kill pathogens or plant in different ways, different environments, or different times to create an unfavourable envrionment for disease.

As for COVID-19, we don’t have proven modifications or vaccines yet. What we can do now is to break the favorable environemnt for the virus — breaking the human contact. That’s why it is still not the time to reopen businesses.

As for today, U.S. has already confirmed one million COVID-19 cases. The normal work routine comes to a pause, but people have to be patient to minimize the virus contraction. In this case, virus makes the timeline.