Election year ploy?
I don't think so. I don' see how this would change anyone's mind on who they vote for. And if it was a ploy I doubt it would be such an issue in other countries.

Look at all the deaths, especially in Italy. Regular flu also kills people but this one has a higher kill rate I saw on CNN because we've never been exposed to it. We have no natural immunity to any of it's strains if they exist. And unlike regular flu, many need hospitalization because they can't breathe. They have severe respiratory symptoms not common with the regular flu. I can't imagine what will happen when all hosp beds are full.

We went to Walmart yesterday and all the shelves were full. No panic buying here. There did seem to be a lot less people in the store. But I've seen that before.

I don't mind daily updates on this virus but would like to know what else is going on in the world.