Thanks. I hope so.
Anyway, I’m still not getting a solid answer on why we’re in danger. “It’s like the 1918!” is not an answer.
At present it would seem we are not. It is, so far, a mild flu (in terms of fatality/infection).
However, it has proven to be eminently transmissable.
Like all flu viruses, the ability to recombine with other flu variants and produce a new strain exists, and this strain is unusual enough.
There are some other pretty nasty strains out there (in terms of deaths/infection) with fatality rates, at least based on confirmed cases, of 50% in the instance of H5N1, although H5N1 is presently difficult to catch.
The concern arises when there is a very real possibility of a recombinant form of this flu which would make the rounds in a subsequent wave and be much more deadly.
That may be what happened with the 1918 flu, and it and subsequent pandemic flus have started out with a relatively mild spring strain, followed by a more deadly one in the late summer or fall.
Concern, too arises over potential reisitance to antivirals, and overwhelming the available health care resources/personnel, which are geared to taking care of far fewer patients than a sudden (even doubling of current numbers) surge in ventilator patients would bring in.
All the logistical problems from the health care end, coupled with limited availability of ordinary products in an economy dependent on on-time delivery of goods from afar (which would rapidly deplete local inventories) and quarrantine.travel restrictions would mean there woulc be shortages of common items people use in their every day life.
Services might be interrupted as well, including power, fuel delivery, water, etc. due to people being out sick.
All of this is not necessarily cause for panic (we can always panic later), but it is reason enough to make sure you have your pantry stocked for anywhere from a couple of weeks to a couple of months (or more, YMMV), some water on hand (bottled) and means to purify more, a way to cook (camp stove/grill and fuel), and plenty of TP, garbage bags, etc.
Means to defend yourself in the event of civil unrest might be wise, and keep your gas tank full at a minimum.
Think, too, of OTC medication you might use if you have the flu, too, including expectorants to help get the gunk out of your lungs--not cough suppressants which might help your lungs fill up with mucous.
There may not be a problem, It could be severe. No one knows, but by being prepared for whatever as best you can, you remove yourself from being dependent on the Government for the basics, and come a little closer to guaranteeing your safety and that of your family.