Coronavirus: "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Franklin D. Roosevelt

[Vintage VFer]

We may as well have a dedicated Coronavirus thread at this point.

Susan H linked to an enlightening post by Immunologist Lisa Turner on FaceBook:

https://www.facebook.com/lisa.turner...01428415526260

Having lived many places, I've had the unusual experience of living through (and having to evacuate from) hurricanes, floods, wildfires and earthquakes. These events have led me to becoming very aware of the fragility of life, the need to be as prepared as possible, the suddenness of disaster, and the butterfly wing thinness of the veneer of civilized behavior. During the big CA earthquake in '94, my neighborhood was in rubble. We had no water or power or other services for over two weeks. The National Guard was patrolling streets with guns.

The gas and water lines were damaged. A local business was gouging by selling bottled water for $5 a gallon.

I am stunned at the news when a hurricane is an hour away and then folks decide to stock up on supplies. WTH?

Sure, not everyone has the disposable income to buy pallets of toilet paper ahead or even the room to store them. But, if someone buys one extra gallon of water each week for a year, they will have 52 gallons of water in reserve after a year.

You shouldn't count on the government having your best interests in mind. Pretend you are an Old West pioneer. They didn't have cell phones and FaceBook. They had to rely on themselves to be safe.

If you are prepared, the fear is diminished.

Or, maybe not? What do you think?