For preparation purposes, the lethality is irrelevant, in a way.
The fact is that the governments around the world DO intend to make a big deal out of this. It could be as dangerous as the common cold, but if people are clearing out store shelves over it, you'd better get to the store first! And if Martial Law is declared, or other serious measures taken by the government (quarantines, shutdown of various gatherings, travel, etc.) it will certainly affect us all.
Now I don't think this is a wimpy virus. Based on reports from Mexico, there are more deaths than the media is reporting. Apparently the anti-virals and vaccines are useless. I've also read that this virus is a combination of SEVERAL -- which gives me the impression it's a man-made (bio weapon) virus.
Maybe the Illuminati want to deal with the high unemployment rate (which is 23 or 25 percent, NOT 8.9% as is reported in the news) in their own evil way?
Matthew