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Old 18th March 2020, 17:39
oxford1360 oxford1360 is offline
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The common cold is a coronavirus (so called because the virus resembles a crown).

The influenza virus is a different virus "family", but causes very similar symptoms to COVID-19.

The main issue is that we, as a herd, do not have an acquired immunity to the novel virus whereas many of us have some immunity to influenza. Hence influenza does not spread as quickly (and have the high number of simultaneous cases) and put health services under huge strain.

Last edited by oxford1360; 18th March 2020 at 18:23..
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