The Daily A Kids’ Guide to Coronavirus
Mar 27, 2020
Carl Zimmer, a seasoned science reporter and author focusing on evolutionary biology, joins to tackle kids' urgent questions about coronavirus. He demystifies the origins of the virus, explaining its link to animals and the need for caution around wildlife. The conversation also discusses how pets relate to the virus and the importance of social distancing. Zimmer emphasizes resilience in children, reassuring them about vaccine development and helping parents support their kids through this challenging time.
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Virus Discovery
- Dutch scientist Martinus Beijerinck discovered viruses while studying sick tobacco plants in the late 1800s.
- He found that a filtered liquid from mashed sick leaves could still infect healthy plants, leading him to coin the term 'virus'.
How Viruses Work
- Viruses are tiny shells containing genes that instruct how to make more viruses.
- They hijack host cells, forcing them to become virus factories.
Virus Color
- Viruses are too small to have a color of their own.
- Scientists add color to images to highlight different parts.