Of Rattlesnakes and Pandemics: Once Again, George R. Stewart is a Prophet

Those who’ve read Earth Abides, by George R. Stewart, know of the connection between a rattler’s bite and protection against a pandemic’s effects.  Now, medical science reveals that there may indeed be such a connection.

A recent article in the Los Angeles Times reports that a medical scientist is close to the development of a small-dose vaccine that will be an antidote to many types of venomous snakes bites.  As he tested the vaccine, Dr. Matthew Lewin discovered it seems to have the potential to be a COVID treatment as well, since it reduces the dangerous acute respiratory distress syndrome inflation associated with the disease.

Once again, it seems,George R. Stewart is a prophet. How he knew or guessed this is not clear.  But since he worked at UC Berkeley and had friends in the medical sciences, he may have conceived of the idea by talking with one of them.  Be that as it may, it is another interesting example of how carefully he thought about his novel and how thoroughly he researched it — 71 years ago.