While of course COVID is real, the disappearance of this strain has more to do with the response to COVID than the disease itself. If you already believe that people isolated for a fake or minor illness, this wouldn’t convince you otherwise, unless I’m missing something.
Shouldn't it be obvious?
Unfortunately, it isn't to a lot of people.
Do anyone but strawmen actually think this in 2024?
Yes, but they are rare and almost certainly not on Hacker News.