 SARS-CoV-2 has spread globally. Here, the authors characterise the entry pathway of SARS-CoV-2, show that the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is less stable than that of SARS-CoV, and show limited cross-neutralisation activities between SARS-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 SAIR. This article was authored by Shuyu and Oyu, Yang Liu, Xiaobo Lei, and others.