re: It feels like the nation is starting to panic

The panic will start if they fail to resupply the stores with the basics. They will suspend bills and taxes, but the money will run out eventually to buy it, so then it'll be government handouts. If that fails then you will see the riots.

I don't see anarchy until people get hungry. If it happens, that will kill far more than a bunch of overcrowded emergency rooms, because the anarchy will crowd it for them without doing anything to slow the virus. The governments bet is they can keep everyone fed and subdued, and slow the infections so as to not clog the healthcare system. Both are assumptions.

I think the government learned a few lessons from Katrina, 911, but those were practice runs, this is the real nationwide test, and there ain't no makeups.