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Comment by arthur5005 | Hacker News Reader

This is my biggest concern. I don’t even think this is “the big one”

Oh, it's absolutely not "the big one", which is why I'm so frustrated at all of the panic buying. It was pretty clear early on that this isn't that deadly and that the main issue with it is filling up hospitals. We later learned that the whole process from infection to recovery (well, enough to be released from a hospital) is about 2 weeks, maybe less.

This isn't some society-collapsing event, but it does require containment so our medical infrastructure doesn't get overwhelmed. If you get it, you'll most likely live, even without medical attention.

That being said, we do need to treat it seriously. It isn't just a dress rehearsal for something worse, but it is telling in how people react. I'm worried about what will happen if something worse comes along.

What I have learned, however, is that my general strategy is always keeping 1-2 months of basic essentials on hand is a good idea, and that I need to be more vigilant about it because people overreact.

I lived in the Tampa Bay area for 7 years. Twice a year (despite the fact that TB has been very much sparred from impact) hurricane panic ramps up and the region is CLEARED out of wood, petro, water, and canned goods. Hurricane Irma results in a complete wipeout of supplies 2 weeks before landfall. The initial landfall target was Miami and all hell broke loose anyway.

So when you get 1-2 months of essentials just in case, it’s a good idea, but when other people do it, it’s panic buying and overreaction?

The trick is to already have 1-2 months of essentials before hand. The issue is when everyone tries to get 1-2 months of essentials all at the same time.

Obviously, but that doesn’t make it an overreaction for people who waited until now to buy what they need.

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