Space Education & Strategic Applications Volume 1, Number 1, Spring/Summer 2020 | Page 13

Space Education and Strategic Applications Journal • Vol. 1, No. 1 • Spring / Summer 2020
Introduction to Our Featured Article
Melissa Layne
Editor-in-Chief, Space Education and Strategic Applications
Weeks before the news of COVID-19 surfaced, the author of our featured
article and also whom this special inaugural issue of Space Education
and Space Applications is dedicated, published the following correspondence
entitled, “Space Weather and pandemic warnings?“:
“On the basis of this data, there appears to be a prima facie case for
expecting new viral strains to emerge over the coming months and so
it would be prudent for Public Health Authorities the world over to
be vigilant and prepared for any necessary action. We need hardly to
be reminded that the spectre of the 1918 devastating influenza pandemic
stares us in the face from across a century.” Current Science, on
November 25, 2019:
From what data did this scientist base this ominous, forthcoming pandemic? How
could anyone possibly foresee something of this magnitude coming? Who is the
person behind such a bold prediction?
Before hastily revealing the identity of the internationally renowned Sri Lankan-born
poly-math scientist who made this prediction, and who, in his 81 st year
has stood strong in defense of his scientific discoveries, I would like to bring to
the fore some general attributes among scientists, the scientific community, and
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doi: 10.18278/sesa.1.1.2