How do People react in a Pandemic?

What I found really surprising is the statement of Peter Sandman, Risk Communication Consultant. He says that if people become aware of a risk, denial is a way bigger problem than panic. To be honest, I always thought that overreactions to a difficult situation and the panic of the people can cause the biggest problems. What Peter Sandman says is that the overreactions and fear in a crisis are very important to protect people. Sandman argues that people who have gone through such a reaction will be calmer and better able to cope with such a situation the next time they will be confronted to one. So in his opinion it’s good if people have this reaction early rather than late.
Furthermore Sandman says in opposition to denial, panic is no problem. Denial is a natural reaction to panic. But if people deny that they are in an extremely dangerous situation, they stop protecting themselves.
So Sandman found five “bulwarks against denial”:

1)Legitimize fear: If people feel that it’s okay to be affright, it’s more unlikely that they are to go into denial. Peter Sandman: "Don't be afraid," is a very destructive message in serious circ**stances. Much superior is the message, "Well, of course, you're afraid, I'm afraid too. We're all afraid. We'll get through this together."

2)Things to do: If you have things to do you are better able to bear your fear. Keeping the people busy helps them to deal with their fear.

3)Things to decide: If people have different opportunities what to do, they are less likely to go into denial.

4)Love: “We are much better able to bear fear on behalf of those we love than on our own behalf.”

5)Hate: “Having somebody you hate, or maybe a virus you hate, can enable you to bear your fear and hang in there without tripping the circuit breaker into denial.”

In the end a quotation which I find is really surprising: “Fear is a solution, not the problem.” (Peter Sandman)