Statnews draws attention to the field of coronavirus research to be “small and modestly funded” and as the past two decades have proven is a “boom-and-bust” research area, as such coronavirus experts are minimal to few.
In addition, there are no drugs approved specifically to treat coronavirus infection, and the demand for funding and career focus is driven by the need.
A “declared” pandemic would “highlight” that immediate need, the “economics will follow the hype” said Peter Daszak in March 2015 workshop. The hype is needed to sustain the research funding!