>reverting to it's base, the common flu.
On point, Anon. However coronaviruses cause the common cold, a respiratory, illness, not influenza (or flu).
"They" had a plan to make water the next petroleum. Oil gave them immense wealth and geopolitical advantage. When they saw new tech (fracking) and new deposits on the horizon that were beyond their control, and the potential of new energy sources, they began buying land over aquifers. After all, their previous century of success began with a commodity pumped from the ground.
LdR hinted at bigger plans, Anon, when she replied to Q:
>"Yep. You die of thirst after watching your children die first."