Yesterday I stocked up on dry beans (10lb bag), 20lb bag of rice, 25 lb of flour (we go through that size bag every few weeks anyway), a small bag of powdered milk, salt, sugar, 10 cans of tuna, an extra bag of pet food. Also started saving water, which is something I've been meaning to do forever. Not trying to buy anything we wouldn't eat. I may get a bunch of cans of Dennison's Chile con Carne. Also bought a new can opener since the other was broken.
While social media, which did not exist with SARS, has made this seem worse, from the moment video began coming out of Wuhan I began to wonder at the government reaction, especially the disinfectant spraying. It's explained by the sheer numbers of patients who simultaneously need intubation, and yet...
One interesting outcome may be more open rebellion against the CCP by Chinese citizens.
Yesterday CDC said it is likely to be a pandemic, but of low risk to US citizens.
I have some healthcare training and usually never concerned about other flu epidemics (I do get my shot). I have wanted to build up some disaster supplies anyway, because we've had multiple natural disasters in our area in the last few years.
My parents are avid world travelers and quite old and had to rush home from Hong Kong 2 years ago because of viral respiratory syndrome. My dad almost died. Took months to recover. I worry about them now because they constantly get viral colds. I assume they get flu shots.
My concern is not that our household will get ill, but that our local school district, etc, will be shut down and stores will get emptied. I'd rather be prepared.