Here are 10 incredible facts about the coronavirus outbreak that might surprise you.

2020 started off with hope, but the optimism quickly faded. Between the looming fear of a global war sparked by tensions between Iran and the United States, and the very real danger posed by a coronavirus, the early months were filled with anxiety. Amidst this chaos, the internet overflowed with rumors, false information, and widespread panic.

First things first: there’s a common misconception. COVID-19 is not the name of the virus; it's the disease caused by the virus. The virus itself is officially called SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2). It's similar to HIV and AIDS: HIV is the virus, and AIDS is the disease it causes.

Unlike our previous discussions of the Wuhan flu, this time, let’s take a lighter approach. We'll explore some of the more curious and interesting aspects of the virus and disease that haven't been widely discussed yet.

One unexpected casualty of the pandemic was the Corona beer brand, which saw a significant dip in sales due to the name association with the virus.

What a stroke of bad luck! The logo of Corona beer features a crown. The word 'corona' translates to 'crown' in both Spanish and Latin. Ironically, the coronavirus was named for the crown-like spikes that protrude from the virus particles.

When the virus first emerged, some people mistakenly associated it with the Corona beer brand. There were even rumors that the virus was spread through the consumption of the beer. It's still unclear how much this confusion impacted the beer’s sales, as various sources have provided conflicting reports.

According to a report by YouGov, a British market research company, Corona beer's 'buzz score'—a gauge of the brand's popularity—dropped from 75 to 51 since the start of 2020.

9. The scientist who exposed the dangers of the virus tragically lost his life to COVID-19.

It seems almost as though the coronavirus is attempting to erase all traces of its origins. In a tragic twist, Dr. Li Wenliang, the Chinese physician from Wuhan Central Hospital who was outspoken about the virus, lost his life after contracting COVID-19.

As early as December 30, 2019, Dr. Li warned his colleagues about the potential for an outbreak. In response, the Chinese police instructed him to stop spreading 'false comments' as part of an effort to suppress information about the looming crisis.

Following Dr. Li's tragic passing, a large portion of the Chinese population was rightfully outraged. This led to the hashtags 'Wuhan government owes Dr Li Wenliang an apology' and 'We want freedom of speech' gaining traction on Weibo, a Chinese social media platform. However, the Chinese government quickly moved to censor both of these hashtags.

This new controversy further exacerbates the strained relationship between Chinese authorities and the public. In 2019, tensions between mainland China and Hong Kong reached a boiling point as Hong Kong's resistance to government policies escalated.

8. The Coronavirus Poses a Greater Threat to Men

Chinese scientists have found that while both men and women have an equal chance of contracting the coronavirus, men in China face a higher fatality rate of 2.8 percent, compared to 1.7 percent for women. This suggests men may be more vulnerable to death once infected. However, these figures could be an understatement, and future data might revise these percentages as more information becomes available.

Currently, the most likely explanation for this gender disparity is what scientists have long known: women's immune systems tend to be stronger than men's.

Although the precise cause remains unclear, the difference is believed to be linked to either the higher levels of estrogen in women or the fact that women possess two X chromosomes, compared to men’s one.

Both of these factors play a role in immunity. This gender difference may have evolved over time, as women need to remain in good health for extended periods to bear and care for children.

7. COVID-19 Has Claimed More Lives Than SARS

As of now, we’re roughly three months into the COVID-19 outbreak. Should we be genuinely alarmed?

On the surface, it seems like there might be cause for concern. In terms of raw numbers, the Wuhan flu has already resulted in more fatalities than SARS (severe acute respiratory syndrome), which was caused by a different strain of coronavirus in the early 2000s. However, the statistics offer a more nuanced perspective.

As of the latest reports, 101,906 people have contracted COVID-19, and 3,465 have died. In comparison, SARS affected 8,098 individuals, with 774 deaths. The death rate for COVID-19 stands at 3.4 percent, while SARS had a much higher fatality rate of 9.6 percent.

While any loss of life due to COVID-19 is tragic, a significant concern about this virus is its ability to spread so easily—and subtly. If you are within 1.8 meters (6 feet) of someone who is infected, you are considered to be at risk. This makes crowded places like subways prime spots for contamination.

Moreover, it can take up to two weeks for symptoms to appear, making this new virus almost as contagious as the common cold. However, COVID-19 is far more deadly.

6. The Coronavirus Could Devastate the Global Economy in 2020

The global economy functions somewhat like a living organism, and it began 2020 with a severe setback. According to the World Bank, initial projections for global growth in 2020 were set at 2.5 percent, slightly above the low recorded in 2019 after the crisis.

To make matters worse, the coronavirus epidemic is impacting China, one of the world's largest economies. A February 2020 Reuters survey of economists in China predicts that the nation’s economic growth for the first quarter of 2020 will fall to 4.5 percent, down from around 6.0 percent in the previous quarter.

Much of this can be attributed to the outbreak, and it's expected to have a widespread impact. Nonetheless, these economists believe that economic recovery could be swift if the outbreak is successfully contained.

What is it about this epidemic that could damage the economy so severely?

At the moment, people are much more hesitant to travel or engage in other activities due to fears of virus exposure. However, we can anticipate a surge in subscriptions to Netflix and other streaming services as people stay indoors and binge-watch shows.

5. Some people claim that the Coronavirus is a bioweapon gone astray.

Where there’s the Internet, conspiracy theories are never far behind. The COVID-19 pandemic has been largely handled with surprising maturity online (apart from a meme or two). However, the rise in new cases outside of Wuhan, particularly in South Korea and Italy, has raised suspicions. The untimely death of the whistleblower didn’t help matters either.

These speculations are, in fact, untrue, though they've captured the curiosity of many. One such theory suggests that China deliberately engineered the coronavirus as a bioweapon, releasing it to clear land for agricultural expansion.

Even politicians are getting caught up in conspiracy theories. US Senator Tom Cotton has gone so far as to accuse the Chinese government of wrongdoing.

4. Like Everything Else, the Virus Has Become a Tool in the Battle of Racism and Politics

The Wuhan flu is not the first outbreak to have originated in China. Infamously, SARS and the Asian flu also started there. On top of the fear and confusion brought about by this new pandemic, Asian people are now also facing racism and xenophobia.

Anti-Chinese sentiment has been rising over the past couple of months. While these reactions may be understandable, they are certainly not justified. The spread of the virus to other countries is mostly due to non-Asians traveling to China and returning home, rather than the reverse.

3. A Giant Virus-Detecting Robot Was Roaming the Streets of New York

If you were in New York in early February 2020, you might have encountered a figure resembling something out of Isaac Asimov’s I, Robot. This cybernetic paramedic, developed by Promobot, a company based in Pennsylvania, was being tested in parks around the city.

The 152-centimeter-tall (5'0") robot was supposedly capable of screening for the coronavirus by strolling through the streets, asking people if they had a fever. However, in Bryant Park, the robot was swiftly banned for lacking the necessary permit.

Some people who encountered the robot found it 'cute,' while others described it as 'overkill' and even creepy. (Clearly, they didn’t realize that the bot could dance to Pitbull and sing Beatles' songs.)

Oleg Kivorkutsev, the founder of Promobot, clarified, 'We were trying to raise awareness about the virus... and bring attention to the issue.'

2. Did the Virus Originate with Bats, Snakes, or Even Pangolins?

By now, many are familiar with the most likely source of the coronavirus: bats. China is known for its unique cuisine, where wild animals can be purchased in outdoor markets and eaten. One local specialty includes a reportedly tasty (yet rather unsettling) bat soup.

Scientists are currently investigating which animal is responsible for transmitting the virus to humans, but they have yet to reach a definitive conclusion. Other possible suspects include snakes and pangolins.

If you're not familiar with pangolins, they're charming creatures with scaly bodies that can curl up into a ball when threatened. These mammals are native to Asia and Africa, but are trafficked worldwide because they are considered a delicacy. It really makes you wonder if this entire disaster could have been avoided if humans just left wild animals in peace.

1. You Are Not Immune, Even After Surviving the First Encounter with the Coronavirus

Can lightning strike the same place twice? Well, yes, that's precisely the reason surge arresters exist. Unfortunately, when it comes to the coronavirus, the same rule applies.

Let’s assume you caught the virus and managed to recover. Does that mean you're in the clear?

Unfortunately, not exactly. Recently, a Japanese woman was diagnosed with COVID-19 for the second time. She works as a tour bus guide in Osaka, which increases her risk of exposure due to the large number of people she interacts with.

This news is concerning because it raises the potential severity of the disease. Additionally, it complicates the development of a viable vaccine. Scientists are still trying to understand how the coronavirus can infect the same person twice or if there’s another explanation behind these double positive test results.