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I said we arent much better off trying to treat a new viral disease now than we were in 1918. One for which no vaccines or treatments exist. I didnt say that there are no well-known much researched viral diseases today for which vaccines or treatments exist.Regarding the treatment of viruses, even without new therapies, for COVID-19 we have many more options than we would have in 1918. The issue is finding out which combination of existing antiviral treatments may be effective (eg, in HK they are studying interferon beta-1b, lopinavir-ritonavir, and ribavirin in combination with standard of care).
HIV can be prevented if antiviral prophylaxis is initiated early. We've also basically cured hepatitis C and now that knowledge is turning towards hepatitis B.
Modern medicine has advanced a lot regarding the treatment of viruses in the past century.
It is also certainly the case that we can do the research involved in developing treatments or vaccines much faster now than we could then. Meaning there might be serious progress within three years or so instead of it taking a decade or more. Three to five years from now, if you get cocrud its likely that we will be able to do more for you than a doc could in 1918. But right now, not really. The treatment of choice for the severely ill seems to be ventilators, a treatment that is increasingly looking counterproductive. Back in 1918 maybe they would have bled you.