Well, the fortunes spent remediating computer systems and software apparently paid off for Y2K, as little went wrong. That did not mean that complacency and a complete lack of preparation would have had the same outcome.
I think heightened awareness of pathogen transfer in a culture where I have seen fast food workers absent-mindedly picking zits with those food-handling plastic gloves on (clueless!!) might be a good thing, anyway.
If you look at the river in late summer and decide not to build next to it bacause it might flood come spring, does that make you an alarmist? Nope.
As for preparation, having a full pantry and the means to survive come what may just might be prudent at any time.
I got laid off last June, and though money got tight, we were never without food.
I remember a pic of some politician, Edwards? coughing into his hand then going back to shaking hands in a meet-n-greet line. Yukk.
And as for gloves you are absolutely correct, people think they are safe and careful just because they have them on. I was on a team doing work with dirty stuff. One of us picked up contamination on his glove and spread it to his hair, face, and around the pocket of his suit. But I was wearing GLOVES! he said. Oh and some paperwork, from which I picked some up, but luckily did not spread it.