Human DNA is a long molecule made from just four different units, known as ‘bases’: guanine, cytosine, adenine and thymine (G, C, A and T). DNA has two spiral strands, RNA is similar, but has only one strand and uses uracil (U) instead of thymine. Most viruses, including the coronavirus types that cause seasonal influenza and COVID-19, contain RNA.
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Viruses have Us
Instead of thymine’s Ts,
And that is how they’re able
To instigate disease.
It seems coronavirus,
Once in us, can require us
To help its reproduction
And so in sickness mire us.
That’s why COVID-19,
When it burst upon the scene,
Sparked more drastic action
Than we have ever seen.
Now we must keep away
From folk we love, and say
“It isn’t personal, of course –
It’s COVID RNA.”