Name:   CRD - Subject:   Question for CRD Date:   3/18/2020 10:19:29 AM

Virology is quite a fascinating field.  The researchers amazingly know the overall configuration of the spike protein on COVID-19 that binds to the ACE2 (angiotensin converting enzyme) in respiratory cells, blood vessel lining, (they have even been able to photograph it via electron microscopy)  It binds to these ACE2 receptors almost 10 times harder than the SARS virus, but it seems to be not very intelligent.

The difficulty in creating a vaccine is determining what exactly can bind to the spike protein predictably to render it unable to attach to our cells, knowing that constant genetic drift may render the vaccine less than satisfactory as the spike protein changes configuration.  

Hope that simplifies things....