Pandemic

It happened so quickly, no one was prepared; not even those that thought they were.
First, they said, "Nothing to worry about. Go about your business."
Then, they said, "Sure, it's bad, but it couldn't happen here, we have the infrastructure to handle it."
But they didn't.
Stores were ransacked, and emptied. People were attacked, and victimized whenever they ventured out.
We were told, "Don't go outside, or you'll be shot."
Airborne disease, and martial law; that was the 'new normal'.
My kids are hungry; I'll risk the bullet, and the contagion.
What? Oh, it's nothing; just a little cough.