Understand it or not, that's how a lot of people think of it--those are the facts on the ground. And one of the upsides of that condition is that the economy hasn't yet been completely blown to bits, because not everyone is taking things so seriously.
Pandemic is a big-picture word. The average family will be far more affected by the results of serious people taking things too seriously than they will by the virus itself. The reason my neighbor can't go to the store and buy TP has nothing to do with the specifics of an illness and everything to do with over-serious, poorly-calibrated perceptions. (Downvote away, but that doesn't change the world condition)
What facts on the ground does usage of "flu" reflect? It's not influenza and nobody seriously calls it flu. Even those least interested in the specifics know it as as unqualified "coronavirus" or Wuhan virus. To call it flu is to deliberately downplay its significance, make a joke out of it. Whatever the reality of the situation.
> To call it flu is to deliberately downplay its significance, make a joke out of it.
To the contrary, regular non-joking, totally serious people still call it Chinese flu, bird flu, I've even heard bat flu, probably some others. I think you are forgetting common lack of awareness / ignorance.
By "serious people taking things too seriously" are you referring to people like the WHO, the CDC, and Dr. Anthony Fauci? Are you saying we should all ignore their recommendations, and just go about life as usual? For instance, that we should forget about social distancing and isolating those who have the disease?
Pandemic is a big-picture word. The average family will be far more affected by the results of serious people taking things too seriously than they will by the virus itself. The reason my neighbor can't go to the store and buy TP has nothing to do with the specifics of an illness and everything to do with over-serious, poorly-calibrated perceptions. (Downvote away, but that doesn't change the world condition)