Mortality is not the main concern, the concern is how communicable it is, and how long the incubation period is. Basically people are spreading the virus before they show symptoms. The US is not prepared for a large amount of people becoming sick and needing hospitalization(ventilators and other supplies). It's not prepared for a massive amount of health care providers becoming ill. 40 million + americans don't have health insurance and won't go see a doctor, and those same americans and more don't have paid sick leave or child care so will continue to go to work even if sick.

Saying "the flu is just as bad" is so ignorant I have to believe people repeating it have ulterior motives. People should not freak out, but this is far more than a traditional "flu".