We went from 0 cases to 125,000 in 10 weeks, worldwide. Over 5,000 people have died.
In the US we went from 0 cases to 1,700 (and likely many times that number) in about 4 weeks. 41 have died so far.
All the experts say that this has a much higher contagion rate than we are used to with other forms of flu or coronavirus. And although we don't know the precise numbers, yet, all indications are -- and the experts concur -- that it is much deadlier, by a factor of between 10 and 30, than the flu.
Italy is a case study in how not to respond. Do not blow it off. They are triaging people and having to make terrible choices because they are out of supplies, space, and equipment.
So your life is boring for a month, but it helps us put the brakes on this. I think the choice is obvious.