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But we’re not allowed to talk about that. You can’t even say flu and coronavirus in the same sentence lest you be accused of comparing the two or making it sound as though you’re downplaying an emergency. It’s called perspective. That’s all. And we need more of it.

I've seen a rise in the "it's just the flu, bro" comments, a-la "ok, Boomer" that the kidz nowadays use to chastise older people. Indeed, I've seen incredibly statist tendencies coming out from previously-considered libertarians or at least conservative folks on FR. They seem perfectly happy with welding Americans into their homes, and who gives a rip about the economy we were all gonna die without some Soviet-style leadership to get.things.done. They are sounding like MSNBCers who want to put Deplorables into internment camps, just for mentioning Case Fatality Rates of flu vs Coronavirus.

Am I being overboard? Maybe a little. But, in turn, I honestly don't believe many of the 'flu' folks are arguing that this is all a big conspiracy - I think they're really arguing for balance. However, many in the anti-flu/pro-lockdown camp are strident in their syntax and many times dismissive of hard facts or analysis. If you hint or suggest that hand washing etc is good practice but vaporizing the food, beverage, hospitality and entertainment industry in America also has costs and may not be a prudent move, they become borderline hysterical.

Please understand, I'm not suggesting we should be insouciant and keep wiping our noses with our hands before shaking. The Coronavirus IS more than the flu, it has gripped the world, and being stupid is never a good business plan.

We will see where this all leads. In the meantime, I shall keep in mind that the enemy is the virus and not my fellow FReeper.