Exponential growth.......

....sadly, stopped long ago in several ways for me, and for little big Vierk, who can't even complain about things. We see this term used by media pundits and others, often inappropriately. But it's a simple concept, easily caught by all, except perhaps by the odd, VERY odd, hottie red kneed nurse, cheapo lower class wench with an expensive car name, and certain ueber angry, virtue signaling, failed guitarists. But I digress. Basically, the phrase comes from simple mathematics, basic algebra really, and refers to the little letter/number above and right to another such 'base' number/letter. Used in many branches of the physical sciences, the concept is often very helpful in biological research, with reference to changes in population size. Nuff said for now, as with too many more big words and concepts, the above identified bimbos will quip, "I refuse (couldn't follow) to read what you wrote, but I hate it all anyway." Two factors underlie the concept---size of a population, and measures of time, although more refined statistical approaches exist. Anyone who has worked in microbiological or insect science will be quite familiar. Well, our favorite virus provides us with a cautionary tale of exponential growth. Your stalward director of the Vierk Institute hasn't personally verified the data, but it seems that it may have taken almost two months time, from case number one, for the population size of humans afflicted with Covid 19 to reach 100,000 souls. The next 100K took 11 days, and the next, merely FOUR DAYS, peebles! Epidemiologically writing, this indicates we are still on the frightening 'up swing', and does big little Mr. Vierk ever hate to hear that term. But public health measures, widely adhered to, will make things start to 'shrink' once again. OK. OK, little feller, I'll try not to use such words either.