how does what imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic?

[GoodTaste]

Does "how does what imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic?" mean "in what way does what you've imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic?"?

It is a "How does A compare to B" structure.

======================
Reply to Science Magazine

1.You have published many papers on coronaviruses and even warned of the possibility of a serious spillover event from animals to humans. Do you feel like your warnings were not appropriately heeded and how does what imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic?

A: The risk of cross-species infection always exists. With regards to this issue, China has undertaken scientific research projects, created facilities and equipment,and built teams of experts. With global environmental change and the expansion of human activity, the risk of infection continues to increase, which is confirmed and supported by our research. However, our study did not involve an investigation into the pandemic’s scale.

Source: Science
https://www.sciencemag.org/sites/default/files/Shi Zhengli Q&A.pdf

 

[GoesStation]

The question is missing a required pronoun.

 

[GoodTaste]

The question is missing a required pronoun.

Do you mean the question should be "how does what you imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic"？

 

[GoesStation]

Do you mean the question should be "how does what you imagined compare to the scale of this pandemic"？

Yes.

 

[tedmc]

How does the scale of the pandemic you expect compare to what turns out in reality?

 

[GoodTaste]

How does the scale of the pandemic you expect compare to what turns out in reality?

In this way, you should use "expected".

 

[tedmc]

In this way, you should use "expected".

The present tense is okay; so is the past participle.

 

[emsr2d2]

The present tense is okay; so is the past participle.

No, the present tense doesn't work. The original said "imagined" so any rewrite should remain in the past simple.

How does what you imagined compare to ...
How does what you expected compare to ...

By the same token, your suggested rewrite should have used "... to what turned out [in reality]".

 

[GoodTaste]

The present tense is okay; so is the past participle.

No. That Science used "imagined" is accurate because this scientist is among the people who predicted the pandemic several years ago, which is why Science is so interested in knowing the comparison. Using present tense would destroy the intriguing sense.

 

[GoesStation]

That Science used "imagined" is [STRIKE]accurate[/STRIKE] correct ….

See above.