[chimprich]

Conversely, there's a group of people who like to show off how sensible and level-headed they are by being able to rise above the concerns of other people. They do this by handwaving away problems rather than engaging with the evidence.

The threat of nuclear war was (and is) real.

The mass reduction of insects is well-documented.

The threat of rising CO2 levels is one of the most-studied phenomena in science.

> "You just don't get it! The science is clear! This time it's different!"

Actually, it's not necessarily different. There are historical precedents for viral pandemics. The flu pandemic of 1918 killed 50–100 million people.

That doesn't mean this outbreak will be on the same scale, but it's not unreasonable to be concerned.

[lurquer]

>Conversely, there's a group of people who like to show off how sensible and level-headed they are by being able to rise above the concerns of other people.

Quite right. Let us at HackerNews strive to be part of that group. ;)

There are plenty of other sites for the chicken-littles.

In any case, I don't expect to persuade you...

But a couple months from now, when Covid-19 is but a memory and we're off with the next impending catastrophe (Caribbean volcano? Tremors along the San Andres? Killer Bees? Whatever it may be...) perhaps you'll be so kind as to revisit this thread and give me an upvote. Likewise, if a couple months from now I'n in a crowded hospital, feverish, and on a ventilator, before I pass, I will request the nurse log me on to HackerNews so I can return here and do the same for you.

[tome]

> But a couple months from now, when Covid-19 is but a memory ...

Still backing this claim, 11 days later?

[lurquer]

Yep.

Check back in 37 days.

[chimprich]

You have got to be shitting me.

[tome]

Will do. I admire your optimism!

[chimprich]

It would give me no satisfaction for it to be retracted :(

And I hope lurquer will not find themselves in the situation they suggested above.