FromTheRafters brought next idea :
on 6/8/2021, FromTheRafters supposed :
Brian Gaff (Sofa) used his or her keyboard to write :

Yes and no. The problem is it mutates in any case, as RNA genetic
sequences are more error prone on copying than dna ones.

As I understand it, it has a proofreader function which reduces the
mutation rate. Damage that and it might step up the rate.

Coronavirus Proofreading Mechanism

RNA virus replication typically has a high error rate (or low viral
fidelity) that results in the virus existing as diverse populations
of genome mutants or €˜€˜quasispecies (Denison et al., 2011).
While low replicative fidelity allows the RNA viruses to adapt
to different replicative environments and selective pressures,
it is also associated with an increased chance of error catas-
trophe leading to viral extinction.

https://www.cell.com/molecular-cell/...20)30518-9.pdf

https%3A//www.cell.com/molecular-cell/pdf/S1097-2765%2820%2930518-9.pdf