The one thing this Virus is “maybe” teaching the general public is:
Risk = Probability x Severity
When we are told to limit our exposure to large groups of 100 or more that is based on a “probability” and when the elderly and immune compromised individuals are told to stay inside that is based on both Probability AND Severity. I have not seen the actual numbers as to who and how the “groups of 100” was derived, but in Year 2020 and the impact this is having on everyone I hope like hell it is based on actual SCIENCE and not fear or politics. Has anyone (John Newquist) seen the risk numbers for the spread (probability) and impact (severity) of this virus within the USA??? This is NOT about politics, I am just trying to get my head around all that has transpired this week. With 30 years experiencing managing catastrophic incidents I have never seen such an escalations of actions with no information provided to support it. Not second guessing or protesting, but I now have a two month vacation (without pay) so I figure I have a legitimate reason to ask. I will be just fine, as business has been very good and I have a serious emergency fund for matters just like this. But I know a lot of folks whose lives have been turned upside down this week and they had not planned for a lay-off and in fact the economy was doing so good they had just bought a home, car, planned a major vacation and now are faced with a layoff, new debt and no real answers.
Telling safety professionals to be prepared is preaching to the choir, but the run on household necessities was quite the surprise for me. I am a Boy Scout, Prepper, and lifelong emergency responder and safety professional so needless to say I sat back and just watched adults cuss, scream, bump carts over basic items that are not even on my emergency list. I bet Costco and Sam’s will see an increase in membership. What many consider hoarding or prepping is just a Saturday visit to Costco for us. It’s cheaper, better quality and it keeps us well stocked.
But this is a lot to take in over 3-4 days and I see people in serious panic mode, not necessarily about what has happened but the fear of the unknown. And that is when I cling to my family, my guns, and my bible!