>>11342181>doesn't it stand to reason that the common influenza could at some point mutate into something lethal?Yes this is a genuine concern and a possibility. Humans have (Eurasians at the very least) have evolved alongside the influenza virus for millennia however so our immune systems are very adept in regards to it but WHO and other organisations are quite vigilant with a deadly influenza appearing as we know it eventually will. The novel coronavirus (This 1) has never been seen before therefore it has people a little on edge as no one is adapted to it and it's a little 'quirky' in its spread.
Will this possibly get to the levels of the spanish flu? I personally don't think so. When looking at the Spanish flu (An avian flu, not pandemic flu so quite different) as the most recent 'huge huge' pandemic it was notably deadlier to those with healthier immune systems as it was the inflammation which was dropping people. If you had a tanked immune system you were in some regards better off. With corona it doesn't yet appear to be in that line of action and preys more on the vulnerable than the healthy so in many ways so far I just see this in line as a very nasty pandemic flu. It likely won't kill you but it'll fucking suck to catch it. Especially as I believe so far 98% present high fever, 50% dyspnea (Probably why so many are going to the hospital) and around 5% pneumonia (Nothing to scoff at mind you but the west is adept at dealing with pneumonia, especially in the last 10 years).
With there being a good chance of having both a fever and dyspnea (Shortness of breath / don't feel like you can get in enough air) then you'll be in for a few really uncomfortable days.
At least this is my take away so far from what I've seen.
I'm no virologist but do an undergrad in biochemistry and work in a hospital now doing an MSc. I will note though I never particularly covered viruses in any module to any great extent in my undergrad so am not particularly qualified.
