Temporary Archive: Suzanne Brockmann's Message Board

According to the article I was reading this morning, should the virus mutate [and the scientists seems to be saying it's when, rather than if], the resulting flu epidemic could kill 7m people worldwide. If it's mild. Worst-case scenario, it could kill 75m. If I understood the article, they can't tell how severe the epidemic will be until the virus has mutated, because the severity depends on both how infectious the new virus is, and how often it proves fatal, once caught.
If a pandemic on that scale is even possible, there has to be forward planning - I know my dh was working on the plan for what would happen here some months ago.
So say the authorities in the US think military intervention may be needed, wouldn't you rather be told ahead of time?
Have to say, it's a big news story here as well, and is being taken very seriously by the health boards, so I don't think it's a case of your authorities attempting to divert attention away from other issues.