if I understand correctly, Dr. Henry Niman's viewpoint (lets say he's not a fan of Trump) indicates the virus being relatively new, underwent a mutation (gaining function) in the region of Italy. Then that was brought back to eastern US as there were few restrictions from anywhere but China. (Niman says its now the dominant strain)

re. WV - a gal who's a nurse there explained part of WV's Covid-19 death rate by saying:

"West Virginia isn't a Destination - It's a place to Leave"


Projected Deaths at August 4 from a couple of days ago
at covid19.healthdata.org/

NY has 28 times the death rate of WV and 43 times the death rate of Arkansas

New York - "162.38" per 100,000

W.V. - "5.75" per 100,000
Virginia "22.77" per 100,000
Florida "22.30" per 100,000
Arkansas "3.75" per 100,000
Pennsylvania "74.05 per 100,000
Kentucky "11.28" per 100,000
Ohio "25.59" per 100,000