Nowadays, many folks (including some with leashed dogs) are taking walks in their neighborhoods, keeping six feet away from other walkers who are not family members (“social distancing”).

In the midst of this current coronavirus crisis, we would like to remind our readers that although we live in a fallen and corrupted creation where many things are out-of-whack and even harmful, many things are still serving important non-threatening purposes—like most harmless viruses.

Popular opinions hold that viruses can evolve into increasingly harmful versions of themselves. But science shows just the opposite. RNA viruses like influenza, Ebola, COVID-19, and measles show histories of accumulating mutations and becoming less virulent. Outbreak intensities wane with time. This trend brings good news for human health workers: This, too, shall pass.

Since the first entirely synthetic plastic was made in 1907,¹ the plastic industry has grown exponentially.

High-speed creature communication has been making the news recently. There was underwater research on deep-sea squid,¹ and now bird communication. In fact, the rapid signaling discovered in the honeyeater bird is all part of an intricate multi-part message that has scientists in awe at both its rapidity and complexity.²