This is the first "Social Media" pandemic. We've had others of course but there are more people online now than ever before.
A big part of that was China boasting at how fast they can build a hospital and then the media reporting it. That one event set things in motion IMO.
And everyone has an opinion.
BTW: I haven't had the flu in over 10 years. Not even a cold or the sniffles. (touch wood) With a bit of luck I'll dodge this one as well but for most of those years I worked from home. Rarely did I ever go into the office. Maybe once every 6 weeks or so and even then not for very long. I went out and met up with friends and all that but if people are sick they generally don't go out and socialise.