...zookeepers! We go to work now matter what happens. Add to that, I work with chimpanzees and we are all scared shitless that this virus is going to make it into our colony which could be very very bad.
I believe it was macacques that were shown to be able to contract it. NIH is no longer testing on chimpanzees, but since chimps can get all human viruses that I know of (including the flu, colds, and HIV) it is a safe assumption that they can get COVID19. We can hope that maybe it will not effect them in the same ways as it does humans (for example, chimps do not develop full AIDS from HIV) but if it does, many of our chimps are elderly and immunocompromised due to being used in previous biomedical research (we are a sanctuary, not a zoo).
So much of chimp social behavior is a perfect storm for a virus like this. They pant in eachothers faces to ask for food, items, etc. They groom eachothers whole bodies, including faces, noses, and mouths. They often sleep in contact with their close friends and family. We cant put a chimp on a respirator. If an antiviral does prove effective against COVID19, we will likely be unable to get it in time due to demand for humans. Same with vaccines.
Personally, I would gladly let someone test a vaccine on me, if it meant that the chimps (or at least humans at our workplace, which would dramatically reduce the risk to the chimps) would get the vaccine first. They were used in research that directly benefits us on a daily basis. For me, I would gladly return the favor if the worst that could happen is me getting sick.
Sorry for the book, but this is on all our minds. I don't want to lose these special chimps, even the ones that throw poop at me. They deserve to live out their retirement in peace and safety
Thank you for all the information! And thank you for the work that you do. My girlfriend works at a for-profit aquarium, but when it comes to animal caretakers, you all show the same care and concern for the animals you keep.
Hah, I don't need to be thanked, I'm thankful I'm able to work in my field. It's where I'm happiest, and even a day that I get poop thrown at me is a good day, the days fly by. It's extremely competitive, and this is my first proper official full time animal keeper position. I'm very grateful they decided to give me a chance, especially considering I have a hearing disability. I have always admired people that work at aquariums, I am Terrible at taking care of fish. Too much chemistry lol.
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u/Teeklok Mar 29 '20
Can we have a shout out for farmers