One of the favorite subjects of horror sci-fi — right up there with aliens, deadly asteroids and the machines taking over — has always been the deadly pandemic.

One of the things I'm surprised at, is how close so many of those old sci-fi books and movies were. No, there are no zombies (...yet), no enraged psycho-killer chimps ... but on so many of the basics — how it spreads, the incredibly widespread piles of misinformation, all the ancillary political BS, right along with the courageous healthcare workers and medical researchers out there on the front lines, battling for a cure before it's too late ...

and etc.

How about a discussion thread to compare and contrast what the sci-fi got right, and wrong?

ETA: Alternatively, if we've already had this conversation and I just missed it, somebody please point me in the right direction, and then never mind about this thread?

News article: Victoria will bring back tougher coronavirus restrictions, limiting gatherings in homes to five people, in a bid to address a recent spike in case numbers.

Statement from Victoria's Premier:

• "around half of [Victoria's] cases since the end of April have come from transmission inside someone’s home."

• "From 11:59pm on Sunday, the number of visitors you can have at your home will reduce to five."

• "Outside the home, families and friends can meet in groups up to ten."

• "restaurants, pubs, auction halls, community halls, libraries, museums and places of worship will all stay at a maximum of 20 people in any one space until 12 July."

• "Businesses that were set to open on Monday like gyms, cinemas, theatres and TABs can do so – but again, only with a maximum of 20."

• "Community sport for kids and non-contact competition for adults can proceed as planned."

• "those who can work from home [should] continue to do so at least until 31 July."

Article: No coronavirus cases from community transmission in two weeks, NSW Health confirm

Context:

New South Wales has recorded 31 new coronavirus cases in the past 2 weeks, but all these new cases have been in returned international travellers. Returned international travellers are forced to spend 14 days in quarantine (in 5-star hotel rooms) before being let loose on the Australian populace. So, these cases are not contributing to the pandemic in Australia's population.

New South Wales, the most populous state in Australia, has achieved zero community transmission. Most other states and territories have already achieved this, or are very close to achieving it.

The worst state in Australia for community transmission is Victoria, which has 1 or 2 cases of community transmission turn up every couple of days.

On another note, there are reportedly 432 active cases of coronavirus infections across Australia (or 450, depending on the source). However, that number of active cases exceeds the total number of new infections recorded across the country for the past month. I believe it's likely that some health departments (notably NSW's) are failing to follow up recovered cases, so that recoveries are understated and active cases are overstated.

Elimination of the coronavirus in Australia was tantalisingly close leading up to the protests last weekend. We're still waiting to see the outcome of those.

Fingers crossed!