I think my husband and have had it too.  Worst, longest lasting cold I’ve ever had and usually I don’t catch them even when I am exposed.  This is something very different.  We know lots of people in our community who have had very severe, long bouts with a “cold.” and various complications, with the same symptoms as the Wuhan coronavirus, this winter too.  So, this fellow could be correct; that it has been out and about for quite some time.