Compared with disasters such as earthquakes and fires, the epidemic of infectious diseases appears more silent and intangible, but we can still use some knowledge and scientific tools to interpret it. In many studies on epidemic prediction and analysis, R0 is a major protagonist, and it is an important parameter to measure the infectiousness of a disease. The analysis of the natural history of the disease can clarify the behavior of the pathogen and the timeline of the development of the host disease, of which the "pre-symptomatic transmission" is particularly important. 

With a ruler describing infectious diseases, we will know more about how to take targeted prevention and control measures. For example, by monitoring cases or isolating susceptible groups to reduce the rate of person-to-person contact. If effective antiviral drugs can be found, it can also help shorten the course of the disease. If an effective vaccine can be developed, susceptible people can have better immune protection and prevent the spread of the virus. Different infectious diseases have different characteristics, and measures need to be weighed against the pros and cons. In the early stages of infectious diseases, many factors are unknown. We need to be patient and be vigilant about any assertions about the situation. 

In addition, understanding the genomics of the virus can unfold more information for us, knowing who it is, where it comes from, and whether it has mutated, and rudimentary conspiracy theories have nowhere to hide.