Grab those reusable bags, slam the panic bar and let's go clear out the groceries

FWIW’s Expert from Doom states flatly that we will see “ 45 million cases in the United States, 560,000 hospitalizations, and 46,000 fatalities.” OMG, call up the cameras, call out the Marines!

Oh, wait, those are the CDC’s figures for this year’s flu season, from October to February 23, 2010. Last year 61,000 Americans died from the same cause, yet the world’s economy didn’t collapse, the country wasn’t shuttered, and the toilet paper supply continued unabated. What a difference a media can make.

Regardless of what eventually happens with our new pet flu, it is providing an incredible taste of what will happen when something serious like an EMP destroys the country’s electrical grid and the country really does close down for good. Will we use this as a learning opportunity and begin strengthening the grid, as has been urged for decades? Yes, I’m kidding.