Disease X,
a hypothetical pathogen
capable of causing
a future epidemic.
That’s what they told us.
Disease X, the placeholder name
for the very serious threat
posed to human health
by unknown viruses.
That’s what they told us,
back in 2018.
Disease X, on a pathogen shortlist
prioritised for research
by the World Health Organization.
That’s what they told us,
back in 2018,
but we didn’t listen.
Disease X, the sure knowledge
of a serious international epidemic
from a pathogen currently unknown.
That’s what they told us,
back in 2018.
But we didn’t listen.
And then it was too late.
Today’s coronaverse is brought to you by the letter X.
Zenrinji 