I'm a microbiologist, (bacteriology) ask me whatever you want.

Thanks for offering your expertise.

My questions:

1) Some have speculated that this virus accidentally escaped from the Wuhan level 4 Bio-lab. If true, and this is a bio-weapon, would it be reasonable to assume the Chinese also developed an antidote or vaccine?
If not, how long to develop a vaccine (or treatment), would you estimate?

2) Seems to me that there is no chance to stop this disease if it spreads like a common cold. Is there a scenario where this can be stopped at this point? Supposedly these viruses mutate a lot. But would those mutations simply dead-end and the initial dangerous strain prevail since it is the more successful variant?

3) I have heard that the serious cases include a polio like paralysis. (perhaps explaining the video of a man doing a face plant on the sidewalk. Does it have a polio like paralysis effect? or is this simply a function of each individual's immune system as to whether it conducts an autoimmune attack on one's oown nerves?

4) This is supposedly adept at jumping species. Is there a list of other species that can carry and transmit the virus? And another list of species that can't?

5) If China has a cure or a vaccine, do you think they would withhold it to save face? Or maybe with hold it for a credible amout of time, then announce their "breakthrough". :)

Bump.

Seriously? You don't even respond to my questions?
Do I smell bad? Am I a Skonk or a Frenchman or something?

He hasn't returned since you asked.. lol

Thats an interesting point, there has been research in using copper, silver and some elemental surfaces to stop the spread of microbes, i know for a fact that silver and copper door handles proved to be much better for preventing the spread of bacteria, as for viruses im unsure.

Something about silver/copper etc would have to disrupt the protein attachment structure or the dna/rna of viruses for it to be effective, its worth looking into i suspect.