A bunch of scientists recently had a brilliant idea.

Their goal was to improve the process of drug development as new pandemics emerge, so that containing disease spread can accelerate in the face of new threats. They have broken down the genomic and life history traits of three classes of viruses that have caused endemic and global pandemics in the past and identified natural products — compounds produced in nature — with the potential to disrupt their spread.

I quote:
"It is simply common sense that we should put into place the infrastructure necessary to more rapidly develop treatments when future pandemics occur. One such recommendation is to create and maintain international compound libraries with substances that possess antiviral, antibacterial, or antiparasitic activity."

But, take note, this is almost impossible to achieve. Is the science too hard? Nope. Do we lack the communications infrastructure to make this work? Nope. The thing standing in the way is copyright law, patents, and 'intellectual property rights'.

One day, we'll all die due to a pandemic of bullshit.

(cue: fade in Pink Floyd)...

...All alone, or in twos, the ones who really love you
Walk up and down, outside the wall.
Some hand in hand, and some gathered together in bands,
The bleeding hearts and the artists make their stand.
And when they've given you their all, some stagger and fall, after all it's not easy,
Banging your head against some mad bugger's paywall.

AR