rate is lower than what we think but it could also mean that the infection rate is higher. As far as death counts it's really all in how you look at it. Sure 50,000 people (just throwing that number out there as it's an approximate average of flu deaths) is small compared to the population of the country. It's still 50,000 people dying from a new disease that not enough is known about. I'm not sure how I feel about changing the way we live and work. I think it just depends. If you work for a company where you have the ability to work remotely with minimal impact on your job then sure why not. For me the concern is not that I'm going to get it and die. My concern is that I'm going to get it and pass it on to my older relatives who could be more vulnerable especially if you can spread it without symptoms. Maybe this will cause people to start taking both this and the flu more seriously. I don't know how many co-workers I have that come to work sick and refuse to even go to the doctor. It drives me nuts.