The set of reactions being observed in the current coronavirus outbreak is similar to that in other epidemics: the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, the swine flu H1N1 pandemic, and the Middle East Respiratory Syndrome. Indeed, progress has been made, such as increase in the speed of viral genome sequencing and vaccine development. However, the spread of misinformation also proceeds faster than at any point in history. The world should learn its lessons from this experience and explore appropriate alternatives.