Yeah Joe. There's a lot in what you say. I'm not 100% with you on the scaremongering, because it is a dangerous bug, but like you say, more so for those with underlying issues and low infection immunity, although healthy people have also died and so far that's unexplained.
Completely correct on the masks thing. I thought it was interesting and amusing in equal measures when the high ranking doctor from the WHO was on tele the other morning and was quite animated about the whole thing. He DID say the media have blown it up a bit but also raised awareness which was helpful, but they went too far. On the masks he said they just make sane people look stupid. They WILL help prevent YOU spreading it on if you're infected, by catching the majority of the bugs - you have to be coughed, sneezed or breathed on at very very close quarters, but it won't prevent you getting the bug under the same circumstances as you can be infected via your mouth, nose, eyes and ears.
I'm diabetic and have asthma, so I've had to make myself aware of the precautions. Pretty much like everyday life, except a hand sanitiser is now also highly recommended especially for immediately after shaking hands, in case I rub my eye or similar.
It can't be belittled, but also a little caution can go a long way. You're almost correct when you link to similar issues with flu, but you have to remember this is in addition to what we call a "normal" flu so doubles the chance of getting an infection of some sort. Because it is also an international concern that also raises the risks, but unlike some media reports it doesn't mean we're doomed. He took massive exception to the Sun newspaper claiming up to ½ a million people could die in the UK when SARS and others over the past 10 years had claimed in the region of 7.5k lives. It would be a massive step if the numbers escalated that far and we'd have more to worry about than a cough. We truly would be doomed.
On the upside, global warming would reduce dramatically because international travel would virtually stop and all the cows on the planet would get eaten so no more methane!