Pandemic caution, not panic

With the coronavirus spreading throughout the U.S., Americans are reacting in a variety of ways. Some of them are smart, others … not so much.

Staying away from big crowds, stocking up on prescription medication and food in case of in-home isolation and washing hands frequently are all wise in the face of a pandemic that is spread through virusladen droplets expelled by sick people.

On the other hand, hoarding enormous quantities of toilet paper, crates of bottled water or five-year supplies of hand sanitizer as if the end is nigh is irrational and unhelpful to your fellow citizens. For one thing, public health experts say the best way to clean germy hands is to wash them with soap and water. It could also be counterproductive to deny hand sanitizer to others, who could use it to avoid spreading the infection to you. And even though the virus isn’t going away tomorrow, medicine to treat infections is expected in the coming months. A vaccine could be ready next year.

And then there are simply idiotic reactions, such as stealing stocks of medical face masks from hospitals and research facilities. The nation already has a woefully inadequate supply of face masks, and taking protective gear away from those who work with sick people endangers everyone.

Panicking in the face of pandemic might make sense in a fictional zombie apocalypse, where 100% of those infected turn into flesh-eating monsters, but this kind of selfish and irrational behavior could make the coronavirus outbreak worse for everyone.

Of course, people should be concerned and take extraordinary but rational precautions to avoid coming down with COVID-19 — for themselves, but also for others in the community who are at higher risk, such as elderly people and those with underlying health conditions. And it’s true that health officials have good reasons to be more alarmed by the new virus than the seasonal influenza, despite the fact that the former is responsible for far fewer deaths this year than the latter. But the reality is that the vast majority of people who get infected will have moderate, mild or even no symptoms. There’s simply no good reason for the masses to freak out.

As testing ramps up after a troubling delay, the number of confirmed cases will most likely rise quickly. Same with the global death toll. As this happens, people need to hold their panic level in check. This means:

Not demanding diagnostic tests from healthcare providers if you are well and have had no known contact with a sick person. The U.S. has a shortage of testing kits, and priority should be given to those showing signs of illness or with documented exposure, not to nervous germaphobes.

Not buying into “miracle cures,” such the drinkable silver concoction that televangelist Jim Bakker has been hawking. In fact, no cure has been found. There’s got to be a special place in hell for those who are profiteering from this outbreak.

Being skeptical of home remedies shared by friends that supposedly offer protections from infection, such as shaving off facial hair (a myth that stemmed from a safety poster for health providers from 2017) or avoiding ice cream and other cold food.

Showing compassion, rather than distrust and disdain, for those who are infected or self-quarantining to protect the rest of us.

And having patience with state and local government officials who are trying to walk the difficult line between complacency and overreaction. Does it make sense for an entire country to quarantine, as Italy has done? We will only know in hindsight.

With the stock market seesawing and our usual work or school routines disrupted, it may feel a bit like the end of the world as we know it. It’s not, and we should act accordingly. Be careful, be responsible, but don’t give in to pandemic panic.