Just 10 days after a pneumonia-like illness was first reported among people who attended a seafood market in Wuhan, China, scientists released the genetic sequence of the coronavirus that sickened them. At unprecedented speed, scientists are starting experiments, sharing data and revealing the secrets of the pathogen – a race that is made possible by new scientific tools and cultural norms in the face of a public health emergency. READ MORE:* Coronavirus spreads to Europe* China builds coronavirus hospital* Coronavirus death toll rise to 25* Life in China's locked down city"This is really new. Purdue University scientists are preparing to scale up production of experimental drugs that they were initially developing to fight SARS, to see if they show promise against the new coronavirus. When you gain an understanding, you don't fear something as much – you know how it's going to operate," Mesecar said.

Source: Stuff January 24, 2020 23:48 UTC