Honestly how would anyone know IF they really did have it before we really knew anything about it? If a large number get along with not too much problem and recover and a couple die - chalked up to Flu or whatever, is it impossible?Several people on OSA had it before the Chinese had it.
I know I had "something" last Nov. that no one could identify. All the same symptoms as covid. Does that mean it was covid? No but without any other virus determination, it ran its course over 5 weeks or so and a Z pack 2 times, didnt seem to do much. IDK, food for thought though.
And many I've talked to had the same stuff.