Its hard to believe anything. China has openly admitted to messing with the numbers once. Why should we believe them now?
People saying the flu is worse really need to do more research. The flu has been around for years, we have vaccines for it and are prepared for it every year. This virus came out of nowhere. China wouldn't quarantine 100 million people and have medical workers in hazmat suits for the flu.
This Virus is way more serious than anything we have seen in a long time as a species and there is nothing wrong with being prepared.
I am from NYC and have already stock piled Pounds of dried goods. some say I'm panicking but I'm not. I would be panicking if I went to the grocery store and there was nothing on the shelves like in parts of Asia.