Lovable HN snarkiness here. I didn't say that every virus does it. Geez.

Pardon the snark- it was not intended to be aggressive. I'm a microbiologist and have spent much of my life thinking about virus biology and pathogenesis. My perspective is skewed from general public but over the last year, the frequent casual comparisons between influenza, coronavirues, and other dramatically different viruses has heightened my sensitivity.

I guessed that you're a biologist (or have some kind of bio fascination) given your account handle ;) I'm a molecular biologist myself (more on the comp. side) for the last decade. HIV is certainly a special case given it codes its own RT enzyme.

I get the sensitivity and the frustration --- the most minor, off-hand comment (such as the one I made) can potentially fuel all manner of conspiracy theory. I spent much of my morning dealing with a group of people on a shared group suddenly re-discovering the Plandemic documentary.