[Timesink]

It's out there, but it's also a short, quiet, and dull list. Generally, even if they call the White House, the citizens will not be notified until the impact point is known. That won't leave much time, and even then, what should the citizens do?

Why, run around screaming, of course!

I don't care about getting "advance warning", I just want to watch the scientists argue like in a bad sci-fi movie.

[RightWhale]

I just want to watch the scientists argue

They won't argue if they think nobody is watching. If one of them is a crackpot, maybe, but in general scientists all belong to the same club.