COVID-19: Separating Fact from Fiction

by Anirban Mahapatra

In early 2020, our lives were upended by a new virus that caused the most severe pandemic in over a century. In the span of a few weeks, even visiting a grocery store became a task in risk assessment. Cities and countries across the world closed their borders for their own citizens, as well as foreigners. Newspapers carried alarming accounts of rapidly rising numbers of COVID-positive cases, patients dying and migrant labourers desperately trying to reach home. One was struck every single day with the realization that the pandemic was not just a biological phenomenon, but also a social one.

Where did this virus, first called the novel coronavirus and later SARS coronavirus-2, come from? Did we see it coming? If so, why weren't we better prepared for it? How lethal is it really? How can we protect ourselves from it? How will the pandemic end? What will life be like once it is over?

In this meticulously researched book, Anirban Mahapatra demystifies the virus and offers us a historical perspective. He charts the scientific progress made in understanding how the virus infects us and how we fight back, and also looks at the social tensions it has uncovered. In doing so, he offers us a clarity that enables us not only to understand the virus but also live with it.

Genres: Nonfiction, Science

254 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 24, 2021

Reviews

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I decided to actually pick a book about a pandemic while the pandemic continues to rage around the world for more than a year and has mentally exhausted us all. But no, I don't regret it!
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I've been following Dr. Mahapatra on Twitter for a while now, and he is definitely one of those sane voices of science (and other topics!) on the platform that I would recommend. So, when news of his book on the pandemic started doing the rounds, l was intrigued for sure. He was kind enough to offer me an author copy - and my verdict is definitely a very enthusiastic thumbs up to it. He's managed to summarise the biology, immunology, genetics, epidemiology and all else in relation to the Covid-19 pandemic, to date, with immense clarity and simplicity. The writing and content make it appealing to readers of all backgrounds which is surely the highlight of the book. To me, it also was a very well researched one stop summary/recap of all the things that have unravelled over this historic year (Historic in our lifetimes for sure!). Yes, the science is fast changing and a lot of the content might change/develop over time, and yes, there are bound to be many more books on the topic written in due course, but I do think this is a very fine, informative and impeccably researched review of the year and the pandemic that was (is?).

[Uday · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really gripping and lot of information who want to know the nuances of the pandemic, viruses, vaccines in the first half.
The second half is more about the post pandemic impacts and dealt with socio economic lens.

Overall a very interesting read.

[Sunilkumar P · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book about Covid-19. Like the way Anirban explains in a easy to understand way about everything related to the Covid-19. How does this virus work and why does it infect lungs? Which other viruses are of RNA origin. Differences between RNA and DNA. Approximately 8% of our DNA has viral origins (may be we were infected multiple times in our evolution). How does different vaccines work? How vaccines could be developed in such a short period of time? Not vaccines but vaccinations can end the pandemic.
Highly recommend the book for anyone who wants to understand the pandemic. Many answers in one place.

[Manoj Kumar · Rating 3 out of 5]

i have respect for Anirban, he's very smart and resourceful but i must admit, except for the initial chapters the rest was just a repetition of what we are seeing on the news.
i guess he filled the pages just out of necessity to make it look like a book.
But i'm not complaining ! i will keep the book handy just to look at in future. The tag line is just apt, separating fact from fiction.

[Suman Srivastava · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author explains science concepts well with simple metaphors. That part of the book is great. Then he starts talking about the other aspects of the pandemic, and starts to sound dated. I guess that is the challenge of writing a book on a fast evolving subject.

[Dhiren Salian · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of information; very nicely laid out; though once you go through half the book, some of the parts get very repetitive.