[2019-nCoV]

You'd be wise too, but you wouldn't be rejecting it empirically.

[nkozyra]

"Empirical" does not mean exclusively present observation. It includes reacting to observed patterns a priori, for example.

[jmoss20]

...observed patterns a priori?

[nkozyra]

As in a priori observations can instruct an empirical conclusion.

[2019-nCoV]

Only ex post...