Any virologists here? Is it possible that we may have a grave future where a virus emerges with R0 value of 6-7 (such as measles virus), long incubation period (10 days, contagious on 2nd day) and a death rate of 50-100% (such as Ebola)?
A virus with the combination of all of the aforementioned properties would guarantee complete extinction of humans (or we get very close to it). Should we consider ourselves lucky?
Edit: my intent wasn't to incite panic, but to learn about the virology, molecular biology and the physics of transmission.
A virus with the combination of all of the aforementioned properties would guarantee complete extinction of humans (or we get very close to it). Should we consider ourselves lucky?
Edit: my intent wasn't to incite panic, but to learn about the virology, molecular biology and the physics of transmission.