but if this kicks off it will be way scarier way fast with hospitals collapses and bodies rotting in houses, so maybe that’s enough

After everything, I would honestly just expect for reactionaries to claim its fake AI footage/images or whatever. Half this country threw a massive temper tantrum over simply being asked to wear a mask. I truly wish you're right, but I have no hope left for anything even approaching a rational response if this does evolve into another pandemic.