b></strong> (pronounced R-nought) is what R is <em>at the start of an outbreak, before immunity or interventions</em>. R<sub>0</sub> more closely reflects the power of the virus itself, but it still changes from place to place. For example, R<sub>0</sub> is higher in dense cities than sparse rural areas.</p>

	<p>(Most news articles ‚Äì and even some research papers! ‚Äì confuse R and R<sub>0</sub>. Again, science terminology is bad)</p>

	<p>The R<sub>0</sub> for &quot;the&quot; seasonal flu is aro