Syjos,
I hope you are correct about this virus being "blown out of proportion". I really do, however, I think that the evidence now is clear. We are at the start of a global pandemic. This virus has shown it is not the flu or really "flu like". Yes flu is much worse than most people care to think, especially for the elderly and the one's with underlying conditions.
The novel Coronavirus is at least twice as contagious as the flu (based on the stats so far and they are changing daily). The death rate so far is 20 times higher than what we expect from the flu (comparing the same number of cases). 15% of the people who catch this require a higher medical intervention (oxygen therapy, etc) with about an additional 3-4% needing intensive care. The flu does not even come close to those numbers if you compare on same number of cases basis. This virus is also transmitted by people who have contracted the virus even before they show any symptoms (the flu is not like that). Therefore, you can't tell who to avoid (if you decide you would want to try that).
Other differences, we have no herd immunity, it is new so no one has a natural defence. There is no vaccine, no treatment (antivirals), that we have proof to effectively combat this.
Other differences, when has any country shut in (quarantined) 1/10 of the world's population (750,000,000 people) to try to slow down the spread of ANY disease? Other countries are following suit, to a lessor extent. China's efforts (after their first mistakes) appear to have been at least somewhat effective in slowing down the spread in China.
Due to the fact that this disease presents flu or cold like symptoms (at least initially) and that most cases with those symptoms are not tested, how do we know how widespread it is at this point???? You've heard of the ostrich that buries it's head in the sand??
I fear that if we don't implement (really soon) measures to limit social contact (cancel school, large gatherings like sports events, etc.), stop things like handshaking, hugging, friendly kissing, etc. this thing could get a big foothold in our populations and "overwhelm" our medical system's ability to deliver the necessary treatments that some people will require. This could result in an even higher death rate? Yes 80% of victims have "mild" symptoms, but if we get large numbers who contract it, the numbers needed medical help could be staggering.
I pray I am wrong and you are right, but the markets don't seem to think so, and I fear the economic fallout could be as bad as the disease! That has not happened with the flu.
