The CoViD19 doesn't seem to be that infectious (yet), as the comparison charts at the end of this Swedish newspaper article illustrates. They compare CoViD19, SARS, common flu, the Spanish flu 1918, smallpox and the measles. The measles is the most infectious, every infected person infects 15 (non-vaccinated) others, but very few deaths. For smallpox it was 1 infected 7 others, and the death rate was 30 percent. As for CoViD19, the numbers seems to be similar to the Spanish flu, 1 infected spreads it to 1.5 to 3.5 others and the death rate is (at the moment) about 3 percent. What the end result will be is yet to see, especially as the professor interviewed in the article says that 60 to 80 percent of the population on earth can become infected with CoViD19.
Professorn: Antalet döda och smittade kommer stiga snabbt
The article nor him cites any studies, but what I've read and translated, he's spot on. The transmission rate appears at onset (without immunity or protection or actions that China and the world took... just at the outset) to be similar from some studies to the 1918 Spanish flu. So yes, it does have the potential to spread and spread and infect and "could" over the years come and go and come and go to infect and give herd immunity around the world... but the world is different today and has actions in place, which happened at an unbelievable rate for this new virus to humans (although some think not... to each their own opinion)
I will respectfully disagree with the first sentence that "it doesn't seem that infectious"... to me.. it is.
That is what I love here, we can respectfully agree to disagree.
I know others here are in agreement with the above post in that it is not such a big deal, but MOO the scientists etc. KNOW that this is the beginning of a disease that can grow to kill and infect and affect world economies and health care systems to the detriment just like the "everyday flu" does.
Look at all the costs to economies and deaths due to the "common influenza" that occur annually that many here are referring to as comparison.
That is what the scientists and the world and WHO is trying to avoid. They don't want to add one more flu like disease that will suck out the lives and growth and add burdens to economies which cannot fight the disease... and gets hold and outta control like the "everyday flu". Nah.. I don't agree with it's insignificant when forward looking MOO. Just look at the flu comparisons to where this is potentially headed.. MOO
Look at what already has happened in just one major large wealthy city in the world with the second largest economic engine in the world. They don't have enough beds and professionals to treat the ARDS, they are having a hard time with self containment as folks live in family units, they have shut down major cities to all traffic. They being the second largest world economy!
Yeah, I think this is infectious already, vs. the posted opinion of "not yet".
As to the definition and the next stages that some governments have atoned to having next... when WHO says the word "pandemic" (= 2 continents with out of control disease").. we may be near the precipice.
The cost is high to contain. Yet for years and decades to come.. the investment to contain and delay for a bit is worth it.
all above MOO