“’ve read that CDC has Tamiflu at the ready, to try and contain the outbreak, which conflicts with the “too late to contain” remarks. I wonder if the right hand knows what the left hand is doing.”
Containment means keeping the flu from spreading into the US population. Probably, the people who have been diagnosed, were in contact with too many people to identify and quarantine. Also, it is probably transmitted easily from person to person, based upon the people who have contracted it.
Tamiflu does not contain, it just mitigates the illness. If taken early enough, it can make the illness milder. It does not prevent the illness, and it does not keep it from spreading.
And since this is a virus, it has to run its course, right? Can people survive it?