Chapter 1: The Blame Game

Let’s indulge in a little scapegoating. Finding someone—or something—to hold responsible for your anxieties might just help you rest easier than hoarding toilet paper and cat food for the impending apocalypse.

The act of assigning blame is an age-old practice. Throughout history, various groups have faced accusations of spreading illnesses, often based on race, religion, or disability. For instance, in 64 AD, Christians were unfairly held accountable for the fires instigated by Nero. During the 14th century in Europe, lepers were scapegoated for contaminating the water supply. And, from time immemorial, Jews have been blamed for… well, let’s not digress.

The infamous 1918 influenza outbreak was attributed to Spain, despite the fact that Spain had one of the lowest death tolls. Wars serve as fertile grounds for disease proliferation, and naturally, the blame had to fall on someone else—pointing fingers at the instigators of the conflict seemed absurd.

Section 1.1: Understanding Zoonoses

Determining the source of contagion is no simple task. Initially, we must comprehend how these pathogens propagate. They don’t always come with legs; sometimes, they have paws or tails. Most infectious diseases are zoonotic—those that can transfer from animals to humans. Zoonoses may arise from bacteria, parasites, fungi, or viruses, but they share a common trait: the ability to jump from animals to humans.

A report by the United Nations highlights that approximately 60% of all infectious diseases in humans are zoonotic, and an astounding 75% of newly emerging infectious diseases fall into this category.

To make your life easier, I’ve created a handy infographic to help you identify whom to blame. Reading is overrated when it comes to casting blame—much too time-consuming.

You may notice the absence of cats in this infographic, which seems a tad unfair to rats. Fleas responsible for carrying the bubonic plague didn’t discriminate—they jumped on cats just as easily as they did on rats.

Subsection 1.1.1: Why Cats Deserve Some Blame

So why is your cat a potential culprit? Because felines have the added duty of eliminating rats, birds, bats, and any other critters that may harbor diseases. Their role during a pandemic is essentially pest control.

Thus, it could be argued that cats have let us down.

So, you can direct your ire towards bats, the Chinese, or even that peculiar neighbor who visited China five years ago. Blame anyone who fuels your frustration. Just don’t forget the real offenders—your cats.

Chapter 2: The Feline Factor

The first video, "Cats and coronavirus (COVID-19) | Top tips from Cats Protection," provides valuable insights on how to manage feline health during the pandemic and the potential risks involved.

The second video, "Did These Cats Get COVID-19? (An Investigation) | Bondi Vet," explores the question of whether cats can contract COVID-19 and what that means for pet owners.