It matters, greatly, that the alarmist media is stirring things up with hourly reports on cases and deaths, making people more prone to panic, more prone to hoard food and water, leading to a more serious chance of food riots and other insane mob actions!
If comparisons were being made, in far less frequent, far less urgent sounding updates, with flu cases, the public might calm down as it realizes that this virus is nowhere near as bad as the flu, statistic-wise.
We live with flu cases going on all around us, and we'll live with CV, as well.
There is no question that the popular media are doing their best to spin this to their advantage by playing on people's fears. Sadly, that's how they make money.
On the other side of the coin, I'm concerned that so many people aren't taking this seriously. Not emotionally but rationally. Of course the number of cases and deaths in the US
at this point in time are low relative to the seasonal flu, but consider what's in play here.
1. Unlike most strains of influenza, it's a new virus so there is no segment of the population that has existing protective antibodies to slow it's spread. Based on what has happened in other countries, it can spread at a rapidly increasing rate.
2. Transmission appears to be both through airborne and surface contamination and it appears to have a much longer latency period than influenza on contaminated surfaces.
3. There are not now, nor will there be in the near future, any immunizations or effective treatments for this virus as there are for influenza.
4. Indications are that this coronavirus likely has a mortality rate significantly higher than that of common influenza strains, especially among seniors.
"Panic" is unhelpful and can lead to it's own serious set of problems. However, sober, thoughtful consideration, preparation, and appropriate modifications to our personal and social behavior make sense.
I sincerely hope I'm wrong, but I suspect the next 12-18 months will be a trying time for all of us. We should face the challenge as the responsible adults that we are.