We make decisions as a society to accept known risks. Every year 20,000 to 80,000 Americans die of the flu and about 500,000 people are hosiptalized. We do not shut down our economy to deal with this risk. Every year 35,000 Americans die in car accidents and 3,000,000 are injured. We do not tell people that they can't commute to work or attend events by car because of this risk.
I was speaking to my dad this morning. He's 75 years old and in good health. My mom, unfortunately, is 76 years old has advanced COPD. Contracting the Chinese coronavirus would most likely kill her. (She's in Florida so my wreckless actions
won't affect her. Although I went to the dentist today and my temperature was 98.5, so I think I'm okay!) My dad agreed with Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. His quote "why are we sacrificing our children's and grandchildren's future for a bunch of old people."
I don't want to see anyone die, whether from Chinese coronavirus, H1N1, flu or car accidents. However, our approach to this as a society and a government is completely over the top.