I'm copying the following from a post by someone else - a fellow named Rex, on a mailing list named Twister - because Rex is one of those rare people who basically is always sensible and informative when he speaks - always worth listening - and I'm hungry for some clear perspective on COVID-19, and think others might appreciate it, too. A nd, selfishly, have an easy place to find it for my own future reference. To not get too carried away, though the guy is smart he's does not omniscient, and things might develop differently than he expects. I find this helps me get a sense of proportion on what is currently known, but not more than that. Ken March 3, Rex: It's a virus which hopped from animals to people.  Happens now and then. Kinda flu-like symptoms, but greater severity, especially for older or unwell people.  There have been influenza strains that are approximately as bad, but not for a long time.  (The H1N1 outbreak of 1918 probably had slightly lower mor...