More than 100 years ago, tens of millions of people died in an influenza pandemic.

The virus spread quickly and had a high mortality rate. More than a third of the world's population was infected.

So what can we learn from the 1918 pandemic?

On the show today:

* How does the virus kill you?

* How do you disinfect your stuff to try and keep it coronavirus free?

* Why 18 months to develop a coronavirus vaccine?

* How do I get rid of infected waste like tissues and masks?

And Dr Norman Swan explains how a 13 year old study on a 100 year old pandemic might have some interesting lessons.

Coronacast is a daily podcast that's all about answering your coronavirus questions. 

If you want to send in a question, go to abc.net.au/coronavirus and we might answer it tomorrow on the podcast.