I think part of the article's point was that communications to the overall public is kind of lack luster. One of the key bits of the article is that we need to get the individual citizen mentally and physically ready, and that involves helping articulate (ahead of time) what the types of actions and behaviors may become necessary. What does living through a pandemic actually entail? What are the actions to take now, and what actions will I have to take?

Communities aren't just made of public health organizations and hospitals and emergency workers, they're made of individual citizens and their families and friends. Communities should be made prepared from both the top down, and from the bottom up.

But yes, definitely less edgy and out there.