This whole thing stinks to high heaven. At most so far 59 people have died, with most of them being in one nursing home in Kirkland WA. The media is fear mongering harder than ever to make orange man look bad. Schools and businesses are closing which is sure to send us into recession if not worse. Out of 330,000,000 people, 59 have died in the US and everything is screeching to a halt. Something isn't right here but it's fucking everything up. The economy was the best it's ever been in the history of our country and now everything is going to shit because of less than 100 deaths. More people probably die each year from skiing accidents. This is un fucking believable.
EDIT: I'm not saying this is a total hoax. I'm saying the media overreaction is making things way worse than they have to be. Panicking is never going to make anything better. If this is truly as bad as some of you are saying, I hope it justifies sending our economy into great depression 2 Corona boogaloo
Don’t get me wrong - I’m not advocating that we don’t try and slow the spread, but we need to manage some realistic expectations.
It’s going to get everywhere. For many - myself included - hunkering down at home for a few weeks isn’t an option. I’m the sole income for a wife and three kids, so I’ll find work when my employer decides not to pay me a free “vacation.” Multiply my situation by every other similar circumstance and we’ve got a huge problem.
You don't have to hunker down at home for a few weeks. Only Italy has mandated it, so far. Other countries have only closed restaurants, bars, etc.
If we can slow down the spread by curtailing VOLUNTARY activities, then we can avoid the kind of disruption European countries are implementing.
That's being realistic.
I hear you, but the level of attention this is getting compared with the means of preparation people are taking is inconsistent.
Why are people stocking up on toilet paper? What kind of crisis are we anticipating that a month’s worth of toilet paper is the answer? Paper towels, chicken, bread, and dairy products instead are flying off shelves instead of soap, detergent, tampons, bandages, propane, and gasoline.
I mean - what are we preparing for?
Maybe they are full of shit? (Sorry, couldn't resist)
"Panic" is a sudden overwhelming fear that produces hysterical behavior and that can spread quickly through a crowd.
It defies reason. The only explanation I can come up with: they fear they won't be able to buy it in the future, and can't imagine how they would deal with it. I do feel bad for those that genuinely need it and can't get it, but it's not the end of the world.
I think some are trying to profit from it, and are buying all they can get. They will be left "holding the roll", as suppliers can ramp up production quickly.
We anticipated the panic buying, and bought about a month of groceries a couple of weeks ago. We have been rotating out the fresh stuff and replenishing it. If we have to self-isolate, we are also prepared and have the stuff we will actually need.