it's overall less likely to reproduce because we take measures against covid collectively. What spreads more unhindered, covid or the common cold? A disease th

it's overall less likely to reproduce because we take measures against covid collectively. What spreads more unhindered, covid or the common cold? A disease that spreads before it's symptomatic may not face negative selection pressure for some individuals, but on the aggregate people wear masks, avoid contact, even entered lockdowns, are more likely to obtain vaccination, and so on. There's a stronger behavioral response to a more deadly covid than there is to one that is entirely harmless. It's not just death that reduces rates of transmission, and it's not just sick or symptomatic people who avoid contact.