I gave that some thought lately. Because I simply don't get it why people would do that. Virus or not, I simply don't get that kind of behaviour, I have a long history where this bites my ass scially.

My current theory is that people are just scared. The numbers seem scary (no baseline as things like the flu are not nearly as thoroughly reported by the press) and every new infection and fatality is extensovely covered, whle the bigger picture isn't. Then this whole thing is just one big unknown, and humans are programmed to fear the unknown. Then you have confirmation bias, people tend to seek information confirming their opinions. Social media is designed to reinforce this bias, media is ware of that an needs clicks.This further reinforces this effect.

Also people want confirmation, so they actally seek out these filter bubbles. Humans in general also tend to be bad at risk management and evaluation. So, psychlogically I suspect it is just fear, combined with a desire for confirmation. Because, as crazy it is in my eyes, sharing your fears makes it easier for you to bear. Others not being affraid and giving you pushback on that is the last thing these people want or need.

I have still no idea how tackle that, spreading fear is still just plain wrong. Pushback and facts don't seem to work, so no idea what would.

Even if this turns out to be VERY bad the fear response is nonsensical. If a Grizzly bear is charging you down panicking is not going to help. If you want to see what a measured response to something like this looks like, go speak to a therapist/physiologist and gauge their reaction. Hell, go speak with anyone who has seen real combat and ask them how they feel about the general public's reaction to the COVID-19 outbreak.

So, 8 days later. I think fear is useful if it changes people's behaviour, which appears to be the ONLY THING we have to fight this at the moment. If we can deal with hoarding through social pressure and law as a last resort, we might be okay.

But please compare/contrast the current state of play:

1. https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-they-call-it-the-apoc...

2. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-us-canada-51955362/us-st...

My point entirely! Fun fact, so. Wr traveled to what was declared today by the German Robert Koch Institute as a risk zone in France. Travel 10 days ago, so self quarantine until Sunday.