Coronavirus pandemic

[TravelingBethelite]

I wouldn't join the military if you are concerned about contracting Covid.  They're really not all that prepared either.

If I were roadgeekteen, I would enroll where you want to go, and if they go "virtual," see if the local junior college offers the virtual option at a lower price.  Then talk with an admissions counselor about what courses could transfer in.

I've yet to see (and maybe someone can enlighten on this) anything substantial yet that would show how the next college semester would be handled online...or the next couple. [...]

As a current college student I can say (and this is probably true for most larger schools, I'm not sure where he wants to apply), my school administration has been handling this days and weeks at a time. I have only very recently heard discussions going on about classes next semester. Summer classes have already been pushed online. From what I know, my school (Missouri) is tentatively planning to have classes in person this fall, but has back-up plans (staying online) in case the crisis persists until then.

[Max Rockatansky]

I wouldn't join the military if you are concerned about contracting Covid.  They're really not all that prepared either.

If I were roadgeekteen, I would enroll where you want to go, and if they go "virtual," see if the local junior college offers the virtual option at a lower price.  Then talk with an admissions counselor about what courses could transfer in.

I've yet to see (and maybe someone can enlighten on this) anything substantial yet that would show how the next college semester would be handled online...or the next couple.  At minimum you could have a guaranteed paycheck (which your parents might not have given the state of many non-essential businesses) and access to health insurance through Tri-Care. 

If he's a student and under the age of 25 he can stay on his parent's health plan.  Anyway many college's offer remote learning as a matter of course.  So they are usually pretty good at it and have the technological capabilities.  If it is a community college that offers transfer credits to four year schools, it is a cheaper option.

And sure you can get a paycheck now.  But that just delays you from getting what is very likely a larger paycheck later when you earn your bachelors.

Most college graduates I know would have been better off getting actual experience in their work field first rather than facing the debt of college loans just to get a degree.  Actual world experience is probably even more weighted on job applications than having a four degree is.  And a college degree doesn't mean guaranteed success.  A combination of working in a career field and going to school probably is the best bet if one can afford it.  If not I would probably say work in-field for a couple years until you can afford the burden of student loans (this assuming a no scholarship scenario).  At least with the military they'll give you a job and funding for college coming out the back end.  I would think these days that something like that would be really valuable given the uncertainty of any public exposure, especially in a school setting.

Maybe it's just me be it would be unfathomable to be supported by a parent until the age of 25.  Granted, my own personal experience was moving across the country at 18 and that's largely a generational thing from what I can see (25 is the 18 is something I hear regularly).  But I'm getting too far off the point I was tying to make.  One might not be able short term to rely on their parents having an income from employment and the flow of college is far from certain at least for the fall semester. 

[GaryV]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

[Max Rockatansky]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That seems about right.  I think in his scenario the door will be more wide open to "normalcy."   I was more intrigued as to what someone who was supposed to graduate this year would do...or if their plans might be altered for college. 

So something I'm curious about with school, are kids being advanced to the next grade if the year ended now or shuttered?  My niece's school district hasn't totally ruled out they aren't coming back (which given what the governor is saying lately seems unlikely) in the summer to finish the school year.  In the scenario that the year can't be completed, do all those kids get held back a grade or move onto the next grade?  Has anyone in their areas seen conclusive answers to that question?

[SEWIGuy]

I wouldn't join the military if you are concerned about contracting Covid.  They're really not all that prepared either.

If I were roadgeekteen, I would enroll where you want to go, and if they go "virtual," see if the local junior college offers the virtual option at a lower price.  Then talk with an admissions counselor about what courses could transfer in.

I've yet to see (and maybe someone can enlighten on this) anything substantial yet that would show how the next college semester would be handled online...or the next couple.  At minimum you could have a guaranteed paycheck (which your parents might not have given the state of many non-essential businesses) and access to health insurance through Tri-Care. 

If he's a student and under the age of 25 he can stay on his parent's health plan.  Anyway many college's offer remote learning as a matter of course.  So they are usually pretty good at it and have the technological capabilities.  If it is a community college that offers transfer credits to four year schools, it is a cheaper option.

And sure you can get a paycheck now.  But that just delays you from getting what is very likely a larger paycheck later when you earn your bachelors.

Most college graduates I know would have been better off getting actual experience in their work field first rather than facing the debt of college loans just to get a degree.  Actual world experience is probably even more weighted on job applications than having a four degree is.  And a college degree doesn't mean guaranteed success.  A combination of working in a career field and going to school probably is the best bet if one can afford it.  If not I would probably say work in-field for a couple years until you can afford the burden of student loans (this assuming a no scholarship scenario).  At least with the military they'll give you a job and funding for college coming out the back end.  I would think these days that something like that would be really valuable given the uncertainty of any public exposure, especially in a school setting.

Maybe it's just me be it would be unfathomable to be supported by a parent until the age of 25.  Granted, my own personal experience was moving across the country at 18 and that's largely a generational thing from what I can see (25 is the 18 is something I hear regularly).  But I'm getting too far off the point I was tying to make.  One might not be able short term to rely on their parents having an income from employment and the flow of college is far from certain at least for the fall semester. 

Of course nothing is guaranteed, but ON AVERAGE the difference in annual income between a high school diploma and a bachelors degree is almost $25,000 annually.

https://smartasset.com/retirement/the-average-salary-by-education-level

Even if you rack up $25,000 in student loans, you are "even" even in one year.  The sooner you can earn your degree, ON AVERAGE, the sooner you will earn more money.  Exiting the workforce to earn your degree later, will likely result in less lifetime earning.

Student loans have become such a bogeyman.  My kids have them, and are paying them off while also making more money had they not gone to college.  They are living on their own and doing what they love.  Easy investment for them to make.

[kalvado]

....

Speaking of haircuts I'm seriously considering buzzing my hair or outright shaving for awhile.  My haircut is a standard 4 blade on the top and 2 on the side.  I have a beard trimmer but I can't find anything useful in the outside retail world at the moment.  At the very least buzzing would be low maintenance which would be nice (t was when I lived in Phoenix) for the summer months.  I'm sure my wife won't be happy though. 

I got my hair cut the weekend of February 29/March 1 because of a work event the following Thursday and Friday. Glad I got it cut then before all the barbershops closed! It's just now getting to the point where in the next week or two it'll start to feel like it's getting longer and it'll annoy me. Often I can stretch it for another week or two if necessary by using hairspray, but I'm going to have a tough time deciding what to do. My wife has offered to trim it, but I'm not sure I trust her. I don't think she understands my point about how it's not just trimming the sides so the hair doesn't grow over my ears, but also trimming the top so it's not as thick (especially as the weather gets warmer), and I think she thinks she can use my electric trimmer to do the whole thing (the barber uses scissors for a good bit of the process).

I was kind of struck by one of the pictures from Arlington Cemetery on Tuesday in which my wife took a picture from behind of my mom and me when we stopped at a family friend's niche located on the other side of the wall from where my father was inurned. I'm obviously well aware of how the hair on the sides of my head is getting grey, and I'm aware of the thin spot at the top of the back, but I didn't know just how grey the hair on the back of my head has gotten until I saw that picture. If I didn't know better, I might have thought the picture was a picture of my father and mother from a year or two ago because from behind I looked so much like him prior to his health issues in his final year or two (due to the combination of the hair, our having been a similar height, and my wearing a dark Brooks Brothers suit, as that was the maker he favored as well).

Similar story - I got haircut shortly before onset of events. To make things worse, the guy didn't understand what I wanted and gave me a much shorter haircut than what I usually do. I wonder if he knew something...

[Max Rockatansky]

^^^

Potentially 40k-120k in loans that affect your early adulthood is something I can't ever see as a worthwhile investment for early adulthood when alternatives like Junior College and the GI Bill are available.  My brother-in-law is a foreman and engineer at his job down in Tampa Area.  He just paid off his student loans two years ago, that's 15 years of debt...  In his case he actually made it in his career field but what about those who don't?  All of the sudden debt over that time scale in low-medium wage jobs is a boat anchor. 

[Roadgeekteen]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That seems about right.  I think in his scenario the door will be more wide open to "normalcy."   I was more intrigued as to what someone who was supposed to graduate this year would do...or if their plans might be altered for college. 

So something I'm curious about with school, are kids being advanced to the next grade if the year ended now or shuttered?  My niece's school district hasn't totally ruled out they aren't coming back (which given what the governor is saying lately seems unlikely) in the summer to finish the school year.  In the scenario that the year can't be completed, do all those kids get held back a grade or move onto the next grade?  Has anyone in their areas seen conclusive answers to that question?

I'm pretty sure we are advancing, as we are doing online learning.

[Max Rockatansky]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That seems about right.  I think in his scenario the door will be more wide open to "normalcy."   I was more intrigued as to what someone who was supposed to graduate this year would do...or if their plans might be altered for college. 

So something I'm curious about with school, are kids being advanced to the next grade if the year ended now or shuttered?  My niece's school district hasn't totally ruled out they aren't coming back (which given what the governor is saying lately seems unlikely) in the summer to finish the school year.  In the scenario that the year can't be completed, do all those kids get held back a grade or move onto the next grade?  Has anyone in their areas seen conclusive answers to that question?

I'm pretty sure we are advancing, as we are doing online learning.

But they haven't told you that with certainty?  At least they got you doing something, in the case of my niece her school doesn't have her doing anything at all.  Granted, the school is rural and not the highest income demographic which might be playing a part (not everyone has an internet capable device).  My wife and bought her a lap top but haven't heard anything from the school aside from they want to restart.   

[jemacedo9]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That seems about right.  I think in his scenario the door will be more wide open to “normalcy.”  I was more intrigued as to what someone who was supposed to graduate this year would do...or if their plans might be altered for college. 

So something I’m curious about with school, are kids being advanced to the next grade if the year ended now or shuttered?  My niece’s school district hasn’t totally ruled out they aren’t coming back (which given what the governor is saying lately seems unlikely) in the summer to finish the school year.  In the scenario that the year can’t be completed, do all those kids get held back a grade or move onto the next grade?  Has anyone in their areas seen conclusive answers to that question?

I'm pretty sure we are advancing, as we are doing online learning.

But they haven’t told you that with certainty?  At least they got you doing something, in the case of my niece her school doesn’t have her doing anything at all.  Granted, the school is rural and not the highest income demographic which might be playing a part (not everyone has an internet capable device).  My wife and bought her a lap top but haven’t heard anything from the school aside from they want to restart.   

That's an interesting question.  The district my son is in has converted to online, so there will be normal grade advancement...not sure how districts that haven't been able to convert will manage.

[jemacedo9]

The number of new cases in the U.S. is cratering dramatically. But the government will continue to use the virus as an excuse to trample our rights.

I predicted a long time ago this would happen. This is like how they used 9/11 and other crises.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed. 

But hoaxes and conspiracy theories and my rights...  /sarcasm

[Max Rockatansky]

The number of new cases in the U.S. is cratering dramatically. But the government will continue to use the virus as an excuse to trample our rights.

I predicted a long time ago this would happen. This is like how they used 9/11 and other crises.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed. 

But hoaxes and conspiracy theories and my rights...  /sarcasm

Nonetheless there are still a ton of people who were living paycheck to paycheck that now don't have a certainty for income beyond short term measures like stimulus checks or temporary debt forgiveness.  In those situations it's not too hard to understand where the outcry for going back to work would have some merit.  But as often is the case people who speak the loudest aren't even effected or have some sort of anti-government/political/biased based reason for the crap they spew all over social media. 

[NWI_Irish96]

The number of new cases in the U.S. is cratering dramatically. But the government will continue to use the virus as an excuse to trample our rights.

I predicted a long time ago this would happen. This is like how they used 9/11 and other crises.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed. 

But hoaxes and conspiracy theories and my rights...  /sarcasm

Nonetheless there are still a ton of people who were living paycheck to paycheck that now don't have a certainty for income beyond short term measures like stimulus checks or temporary debt forgiveness.  In those situations it's not too hard to understand where the outcry for going back to work would have some merit.  But as often is the case people who speak the loudest aren't even effected or have some sort of anti-government/political/biased based reason for the crap they spew all over social media. 

Two things: 

1) public health and safety should override any economic concerns.  Government can overcome economic problems, they can't overcome death

2) one of the many things that I expect will change permanently is that people are going to do more to avoid having to live paycheck to paycheck.  I realize that for many, this will never be possible, but I expect to see people being less willing to go into debt and more willing to save.  I think you'll see people buying more used cars and fewer new ones, buying $200K houses instead of $300K houses, opting for public universities rather than private, etc., in order to keep themselves more liquid.

[CoreySamson]

I'm in the same boat as Roadgeekteen. I was supposed to take the SAT a few weeks ago, but it got canceled. I should be fine, though, I basically know what I want to do and I can take the SAT in the fall if schools reopen by then.

[hbelkins]

If Kentucky issues a "wear a mask" order, I'm SOL. I don't have a mask and am not sure where I could obtain one at a reasonable price. I'd probably wear a bandana around my face, though.

As for someone's future plans after high school, don't neglect the skilled trades. There will always be a demand for plumbers and HVAC specialists and they make really good money, without all the debt.

[Roadgeekteen]

RGteen's profile says he's 16.  He's also talking about taking the SAT this year.  I think that means he's a HS junior, not a senior, and would be applying for college with the results of the SAT.  So starting college Fall 2021, not Fall 2020.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

That seems about right.  I think in his scenario the door will be more wide open to "normalcy."   I was more intrigued as to what someone who was supposed to graduate this year would do...or if their plans might be altered for college. 

So something I'm curious about with school, are kids being advanced to the next grade if the year ended now or shuttered?  My niece's school district hasn't totally ruled out they aren't coming back (which given what the governor is saying lately seems unlikely) in the summer to finish the school year.  In the scenario that the year can't be completed, do all those kids get held back a grade or move onto the next grade?  Has anyone in their areas seen conclusive answers to that question?

I'm pretty sure we are advancing, as we are doing online learning.

But they haven't told you that with certainty?  At least they got you doing something, in the case of my niece her school doesn't have her doing anything at all.  Granted, the school is rural and not the highest income demographic which might be playing a part (not everyone has an internet capable device).  My wife and bought her a lap top but haven't heard anything from the school aside from they want to restart.

Most every student at my school has internet and a computer.

[kalvado]

If Kentucky issues a "wear a mask" order, I'm SOL. I don't have a mask and am not sure where I could obtain one at a reasonable price. I'd probably wear a bandana around my face, though.

Which is probably pretty adequate - until the supply chain for masks is established and those become  somewhat like socks.

[Max Rockatansky]

The number of new cases in the U.S. is cratering dramatically. But the government will continue to use the virus as an excuse to trample our rights.

I predicted a long time ago this would happen. This is like how they used 9/11 and other crises.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed. 

But hoaxes and conspiracy theories and my rights...  /sarcasm

Nonetheless there are still a ton of people who were living paycheck to paycheck that now don't have a certainty for income beyond short term measures like stimulus checks or temporary debt forgiveness.  In those situations it's not too hard to understand where the outcry for going back to work would have some merit.  But as often is the case people who speak the loudest aren't even effected or have some sort of anti-government/political/biased based reason for the crap they spew all over social media. 

Two things: 

1) public health and safety should override any economic concerns.  Government can overcome economic problems, they can't overcome death

2) one of the many things that I expect will change permanently is that people are going to do more to avoid having to live paycheck to paycheck.  I realize that for many, this will never be possible, but I expect to see people being less willing to go into debt and more willing to save.  I think you'll see people buying more used cars and fewer new ones, buying $200K houses instead of $300K houses, opting for public universities rather than private, etc., in order to keep themselves more liquid.

While I mostly agree, the fact is that the majority of Americans live pay check to pay check...it isn't really a "by choice"  thing.  While I tend to be a believer that most people are victims of the circumstances they put themselves in financially this is all very unprecedented and couldn't be planned for by the average American.  To that end I really hope that there is some emphasis put back on financial planning and how to grow savings.  Those topics used to be talked about a lot two decades ago but you hardly hear it touched on any more.  It would be really invaluable information for kids in High School and College to learn about even if they aren't into economics. 

To that end, the long term effects to the economy and the effects on the average person are too soon to really predict.  I do find it concerning that there are a lot of extended family members in my own inner circle that don't know where they'll get money if their unemployment claims don't go through.  There has been some surprises in my own family who are suddenly under financial hardship that I thought were far more squared away. 

[Max Rockatansky]

If Kentucky issues a "wear a mask" order, I'm SOL. I don't have a mask and am not sure where I could obtain one at a reasonable price. I'd probably wear a bandana around my face, though.

Which is probably pretty adequate - until the supply chain for masks is established and those become  somewhat like socks.

My wife and I have made about two dozen home brew masks out of almost everything cloth we have laying around.  They can be pretty easily made from scrap material and old shirts in a pinch.

[kalvado]

The number of new cases in the U.S. is cratering dramatically. But the government will continue to use the virus as an excuse to trample our rights.

I predicted a long time ago this would happen. This is like how they used 9/11 and other crises.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed. 

But hoaxes and conspiracy theories and my rights...  /sarcasm

Nonetheless there are still a ton of people who were living paycheck to paycheck that now don't have a certainty for income beyond short term measures like stimulus checks or temporary debt forgiveness.  In those situations it's not too hard to understand where the outcry for going back to work would have some merit.  But as often is the case people who speak the loudest aren't even effected or have some sort of anti-government/political/biased based reason for the crap they spew all over social media. 

Two things: 

1) public health and safety should override any economic concerns.  Government can overcome economic problems, they can't overcome death

2) one of the many things that I expect will change permanently is that people are going to do more to avoid having to live paycheck to paycheck.  I realize that for many, this will never be possible, but I expect to see people being less willing to go into debt and more willing to save.  I think you'll see people buying more used cars and fewer new ones, buying $200K houses instead of $300K houses, opting for public universities rather than private, etc., in order to keep themselves more liquid.

A question to ask: why  public health and safety don't override any economic concerns in case of regular seasonal flu?
There are two ways of answering - to go into a hysteric mode, or to pull out a calculator and do some math.
If you do the second option, it turns out that quarantine is MARGINALLY justified in the current situation. Tweak some parameters - and you can get easily get "yes" or "no". 

My impression is that quarantine the way it is working is justified for NYC and a few similar places, the rest of the world should unlock with precautions.
Again, my impression is that we're seing by-the-book responce, taken from textbook written in 1920s, on the aftermath of Spanish flu. Nobody working today has an actual experience of large scale pandemic control, and understanding is weak.

Yesterday was the highest single day total of deaths.  Perhaps it's a bit early to be trotting out "freedumb" cries.  The only reason the infection and death rate isn't higher is because enough people have minded the guidelines and stay at home orders.  The fools who want to immediately go back to normal will make 2600 deaths a day seem like a low number before long. 

It sucks and I'm among the many going utterly stir crazy, but this is the way pandemics are curbed.

This isn't actually a very high number - US death rate is about 10k/day during better times.
Worst case scenario for this virus - doubling 2020 death rate. THis is not spanish flu, when entire villages could die out. This is not black death, when quarter to half population died. This virus is bad - but not totally extremely bad.

[kalvado]

If Kentucky issues a "wear a mask" order, I'm SOL. I don't have a mask and am not sure where I could obtain one at a reasonable price. I'd probably wear a bandana around my face, though.

Which is probably pretty adequate - until the supply chain for masks is established and those become  somewhat like socks.

My wife and I have made about two dozen home brew masks out of almost everything cloth we have laying around.  They can be pretty easily made from scrap material and old shirts in a pinch.

I have only 2 - but high quality ones. We also have about 10 medical ones from pre-crisi days.
Having a sewing machine - and knowing how to use that - definitely help.
Actually, there are posts on nextdoor where (I assume) old ladies with sewing hobby hand out masks for free.  Or maybe not-so-old ladies with a hobby but no job

[jeffandnicole]

If Kentucky issues a "wear a mask" order, I'm SOL. I don't have a mask and am not sure where I could obtain one at a reasonable price. I'd probably wear a bandana around my face, though.

Which is probably pretty adequate - until the supply chain for masks is established and those become  somewhat like socks.

My wife and I have made about two dozen home brew masks out of almost everything cloth we have laying around.  They can be pretty easily made from scrap material and old shirts in a pinch.

I have only 2 - but high quality ones. We also have about 10 medical ones from pre-crisi days.
Having a sewing machine - and knowing how to use that - definitely help.
Actually, there are posts on nextdoor where (I assume) old ladies with sewing hobby hand out masks for free.  Or maybe not-so-old ladies with a hobby but no job

A few years back we bought a box of dust masks.  Bought way too many, and they just sat around.  They're coming in handy now!

But no one needs a mask - something that covers your nose and mouth is fine.  Many are using bandanas. Even a t-shirt or winter scarf that's tied in the back covering your face is fine.

[webny99]

But no one needs a mask - something that covers your nose and mouth is fine.  Many are using bandanas.

Indeed, I have seen quite a few people using bandanas, and I know it's not a funny situation, but I do keep having to chuckle about the Wild West vibes.

[Max Rockatansky]

The panic caused by all this is really what should be concerning for public officials.  While the death rates aren't substantially higher than recent pandemics and even some seasonal flus the public panic is.  It's just an American phenomenon too, the panic was pretty much across the board this time around.  To that end, the question I have is this how society will react to a really bad flu season or even a "minor"  epidemic or pandemic in the future?   Granted things as leveling out now because people know what to expect and likely will in the future if something similar were to occur.  The main thing that I see as a trigger for the panic is the lack of real up front information that began to spread like wildfire (rumor, speculation, and conjecture in all forms of media) and a lack of uniform command in terms of response.  It seems like the states that had a clearer message and response up front aren't getting hit as hard. 

[jeffandnicole]

The panic caused by all this is really what should be concerning for public officials.  While the death rates aren't substantially higher than recent pandemics and even some seasonal flus the public panic is.  It's just an American phenomenon too, the panic was pretty much across the board this time around.  To that end, the question I have is this how society will react to a really bad flu season or even a "minor"  epidemic or pandemic in the future?   Granted things as leveling out now because people know what to expect and likely will in the future if something similar were to occur.  The main thing that I see as a trigger for the panic is the lack of real up front information that began to spread like wildfire (rumor, speculation, and conjecture in all forms of media) and a lack of uniform command in terms of response.  It seems like the states that had a clearer message and response up front aren't getting hit as hard. 

Other than Ohio, most states that aren't being hit that hard are large, low population states.  Ohio was notable for its quick action shutting the state down. Florida was noted for its lackluster response.  Otherwise, most states are learning what needs to be done as things roll along.  In NY, the city got hit very hard, but the state-wide response kept much of the rest of the state from being terribly impacted.  In my State of NJ, North Jersey was hit much harder than South Jersey, but again, all Executive Actions were statewide. 

The people also need to take action and responsibility as well.  There aren't many, but there's enough that believe rules don't apply to them and find every possible loophole to do whatever they want to do.  They're quick to blame the government for everything, yet refuse to look in the mirror to realize the government needs to do what they are doing because they caused it.