Ask HN:Can the current pandemic situation be called a black swan event?

No

From https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_swan_theory

Based on the author's criteria:

    1) The event is a surprise (to the observer).
    2) The event has a major effect.
    3) After the first recorded instance of the event, it is rationalized by hindsight, as if it could have been expected; that is, the relevant data were available but unaccounted for in risk mitigation programs. The same is true for the personal perception by individuals.

List of epidemics from wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_epidemics

Yes