"The way to learn the truth is to test a random sample of the population in major cities with an outbreak. Random testing would reveal the true mortality rate and also how many people have the virus, an important factor in determining its infectivity. Authorities need to start conducting random testing now, with statisticians in the coronavirus command center guiding the design. If the infectivity and mortality rates turn out to be similar to those of the flu, this approach could avert billions of dollars in economic loss and calm public fears."