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Hello, this is 6 Minute English from BBC Learning English. I'm Neil.

And I'm Georgina. In this program, we're talking about something the whole

world knows about coronavirus. Sadly, COVID-19 has been responsible for more than 2 million deaths

What's believed to have started in the city of Wuhan in China went on to become a pandemic,

a disease that affects many people around the world. Unsurprisingly, we've discussed this a lot

on 6 Minute English, but over a year on since the first outbreak, it's good to take stock,

or look back over the situation and see what we have learned. And find out how our knowledge has

changed. Before we do that, Georgina, let's test your knowledge with a question. In 1918,

stroke 1919, another major virus known as Spanish flu swept across the world. Do you know

approximately how many people were infected by it? Was it A, 5 million, B, 50 million, or C, 500

million? Well, I know it was bad, so I'm going for the awful number of 500 million.

Okay, I'll reveal the right answer later on. Now, back to the current coronavirus pandemic.

It was only at the end of December 2019 when reports of a new flu-like infection first came

out of China. Within weeks, millions of people were in lockdown as the virus took hold around the

world. Took hold means it became stronger and was difficult to stop. We all had to change the way

we lived to stop it spreading. But while we played our part by washing our hands, wearing masks

and staying at home, some people were busy working for a solution to fight this deadly virus.

You're talking about the scientist, Georgina. Their response was immediate, and it's something

the BBC World Service Programme Science and Action has been reflecting on. At the beginning of

the outbreak, Jenny Rohn, a virologist from University College London, spoke to the program about

her concerns if the virus turned out to be like flu. Here's what she said.

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