Sure. And we should be concerned for them. But I sense that many people are scared for their own lives and those of their children, which I feel is not really warranted. Maybe I'm generalizing my personal experience of my own mental state and who I've talked to, but that is what I've been exposed to. And of course the items discussed in the rest of my comment should modulate people's fears as well.
Regardless, it is always a good idea to have some backup supplies in case of a natural disaster. Whether it be an earthquake or pandemic or a storm.
I don't think anyone would dispute that. Certainly I did not intend to do so with my comment. I personally have a stock of about thirty days of non-perishable biscuit that can be used to supply calories in an emergency, and a forty gallon canister that could be filled with potable water ahead of a disaster. It's not enough to live on independent of civilization for more than a few weeks, but if more than that is needed we are probably screwed anyway.