The 2018 Flu Pandemic that killed millions in that era started in the spring of 2018 and then went into hibernation for the summer. It then returned in the fall of 2018 and continued into 2019 with deadly results. The death rate for people infected in that pandemic was around 2.5%. Which matches up with the current estimate that came out of China. We really don't know the death rate at this point because many more people could have had mild infections and never tested for the virus.
Today we have many other tools at our disposal to fight a virus, anti-virals, ventilators, and antibiotics. It should be noted that COVID-19 causes viral pneumonia which is not responsive to antibiotics.
With a new disease that has only been detected since early December (3 months), there is much we don't know.
It may seem simplistic, but cover your nose and mouth with your arm when you sneeze. Don't shake hands, do a fist bump or elbow touch. Stay home when you are sick. Keep your hands away from your nose, mouth, and eyes.
The best case is the virus burns itself out and we are all hunky-dory by June-July and everyone goes on their ship cruises.
