Viruses, vaccines, and COVID

Why are viruses NOT alive?

• They don't have any cells

• They don't have organelles

• They don't maintain homeostasis

• They need a host to reproduce

• All of the above

Penicillin kills bacteria by interfering with cell wall production. Penicillin would therefore effectively kill a virus.

• True - this and other similar antibiotics will kill viruses by targeting their cell wall

• False - no antibiotics will kill viruses

How does a virus copy itself inside your cell?

• It uses your cell machinery to make more of its proteins and DNA

• It brings its own machinery into the cell to make more of itself

• It can copy itself outside a cell, so it just does the same thing inside the cell

• It does not copy itself inside your cell

What is the purpose of a vaccine?

• To get rid of a virus once it's already infected you

• To safely prime your immune system to fight off a virus if you catch it later

• To make you sick on purpose for no reason

• To give the virus a head start in infecting you

What are antibodies?

• A type of antibiotic that targets bacterial cell wall production

• A type of SARS virus, like COVID

• Proteins the immune system makes that are like fingerprint records for viruses

• Something a virus uses to get into your cells

Why do some vaccines require boosters?

• An inactivated vaccine doesn't prime your immune system as well, so multiple doses over time help you build immunity

• A virus can mutate its proteins, so new mRNA might be needed to prime against the new mutated protein

• Viruses can mutate, so new inactivated or live viral particles can help prime against the mutated virus

• All are situations where booster shots are helpful

COVID enters cells through ACE2 receptors. Your nose has a ton of ACE2 receptors. Therefore, it is especially important to wear your mask over your nose and mouth.

• True

• False

What was the most interesting thing you learned today?

• Differences between viruses and bacteria

• Why we have antibiotics but not antivirals

• Different types of vaccines and how they work

• Specific information about the COVID virus

How comfortable do you now feel talking about COVID and vaccines to others who don't understand the science very well?

• Totally comfortable! I'll educate everyone I know

• Pretty comfortable - I can answer some their questions

• Somewhat comfortable - I know a little more now, but I'm not sure how well I can convey it to others

• Not comfortable - I still would need to learn more about these topics