The Internet is abuzz with talk that Time magazine predicted the coronavirus pandemic three years ago. But is it true? The answer: not exactly.
The cover of Time's May 15th, 2017 issue reads, "Warning: We are not Ready for the Next Pandemic." And the story opens with, "On a hyperconnected planet rife with hyperinfectious diseases, experts warn we aren’t ready to keep America — and the world — safe from the next pandemic." Then it goes on to describe a virus that was already circulating in China.
However, the similarities end there. The next line reads, "It's a bird flu called H7N9, and true to its name, it mostly infects poultry." So, while the story nails a few key points, it's really about the bird flu.