COVID 19 – Understanding the Unknown in Acute Respiratory Infections

First published on May 11, 2020, at CEBM

This is the second post from our early pandemic writings for your consideration in light of TTE's series on the UK’s COVID inquiry Module 1 recommendations.

As the shattered and half-frozen remnants of Napoleon’s once-mighty Grand Armee approached Vilnius in early December 1812, they saw the first undamaged walled city they had seen for many months.

Vilnius had ten gates. Officers had been deployed in front of the walls to direct the retreating columns to different assembly areas. However, the first in the column made for the nearest entrance: the Gate of Dawn. This narrow tunnel-like defensive entrance was swiftly choked by the press of half-crazed skeletal soldiers, carriages and artillery. Soon, the gate was turned into a scene of horror, with scores of human beings literally crushed to death by the impetus of those behind them. The effects can be seen today in the corpses of those who perished. 

Remarkably, those approaching the gate who could see what was going on added to the pres…