Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Donger
Yes, I know the definitions. However, AIDS is now classified as a pandemic, unless I'm mistaken. The third criteria is something like, "Spreads easily and sustainably between humans." That's highly subjective. HIV apparently spreads easily and sustainably between humans when they act with blatant stupidity and disregard for their own health, so do a lot of other things.
Part of me has always felt that the definitions of 'epidemic' and 'pandemic' should include a disclaimer: "Oh, and has to be relatively easy to catch." Last I checked, no one ever got AIDS by going to the movie theater and getting coughed upon.
|
yes, you're correct. AIDS is a pandemic (although the definitions of epidemic and pandemic are rudimentary to say the least).
as I said in my last post, we as human beings have an amazing knack for stupidity. we're both the most intelligent species on earth and the dumbest species on earth.
it's interesting you mention 'easy to catch' in regards to HIV/AIDS, I read somewhere that in the middle of the 90's, there was a moment when scientists believed that HIV had mutated beyond being simply an STD (which it still primarily is, ignoring transfusions and dirty needles), into an airborne pathogen (in other words, a virus that can spread via aerosol--via sneeze, like flu or the common cold). scary thought.