It's not inconceivable, but it would be a very convenient coincidence. I take it this less harmful strain also got to Greece, Belarus, Morocco, Bolivia, and Flo

It's not inconceivable, but it would be a very convenient coincidence. I take it this less harmful strain also got to Greece, Belarus, Morocco, Bolivia, and Florida? Outperformance in Asia is much better explained by partial immunity created by prior exposure to SARS/MERS. But even that doesn't explain why regions all over the world are hardly affected by covid19, including those that didn't have prior SARS/MERS exposure. Data strongly suggests that this coronavirus is seasonal just like other coronaviruses and not especially deadly so Controlled Voluntary Infection shouldn't even be necessary (but it would work).