If the virus killed 90%, we might actually do something about it. Like having everyone in a hazmat suit and do massive testing. Everybody will be going on about their life better than. Remember that some viruses (like Smallpox) kill at 30% and the world didn't have a shutdown but actually many wars through.

But because this is an opportunity for power grab by the government they'll much better prefer to have everyone confined rather than implement sanitary procedure and do massive testing.

Smallpox became endemic (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endemic_(epidemiology)) long before fast international travel. If a disease like it emerged today (high R0 factor, high mortality) we would absolutely need a shutdown.

> Like having everyone in a hazmat suit and do massive testing.

That'd require a shutdown in order to produce enough PPE and tests. Just like we're currently experiencing.

> If a disease like it emerged today (high R0 factor, high mortality) we would absolutely need a shutdown.

This is what worries me. This disease isn't as bad as it could be, but will reset expectations. Go in too hard and next time, with a similar disease but with a higher utilisation and it's a mess.

a smallpox analog now would break this world. covid-19 is a minor inconvenience in comparison. you've given me shivers just by making me think about it.