Topic: Viral Mutation

The theory of viral deterioration suggests that as a lab-created virus passes through a population, it reverts to a "wild type" and becomes less virulent. This is used to explain why early outbreaks in Northern Italy and New York—linked to direct flights from Wuhan—were more deadly than later cases in the western United States.

The hosts question the viability of a coronavirus vaccine, noting that no successful vaccine was ever developed for MERS or SARS. They discuss the theory that the virus may naturally degenerate or "turn into dust" before a vaccine can be brought to market. This uncertainty contrasts with the high-speed "Operation Warp Speed" efforts currently underway.