[cherry]

I'd like a breakdown of the 500 deaths.....I would bet many and probably most fall into chronic disease categories.... people that were severely compromised already....

look, I take a flu shot every year.....I'm not scared of it but neither am I scared of the flu.....

[john in springfield]

I'd like a breakdown of the 500 deaths.....I would bet many and probably most fall into chronic disease categories....

Most, I would think. Obesity seems to be a very significant factor as well. But at least some people succumbing to death through this flu have seemed perfectly healthy beforehand. Young, healthy, prime of life... dead.

look, I take a flu shot every year.....I'm not scared of it but neither am I scared of the flu.....

Depends on the disease. Some strains of flu can be truly terrifying. If we get the wrong recipe, we could be in for a very bad time.

If you want to get over your complacency in regard to transmissible diseases, spend a bit of time reading about myxomatosis. Look at the pattern of major flu epidemic recurrence. Think about how quickly this particular flu has gone global. Look at an online simulation of a flu epidemic. Read about the highly-lethal bird flu in Asia. And consider the possibilities.

[john in springfield]

In a myxomatosis-type scenario, or even anything REMOTELY resembling it, we would also be faced with a complete and total collapse of society. Electricity and other utilities, the food supply, civil order, ALL would completely collapse...