Really?
Yes, really.
Every single news story in February over here, regardless of the source, was downplaying this. Every one. The NYTs said hysteria was spreading faster then the virus, and that we need to calm down. I believe Vox (liberal press) said it was not any worse then the flu in February.
News may have been different in the EU, but here, in February, it was pretty mute on the virus.
Even in Australia, in the beginning of March, I had a conversation with an Australian, in Australia, who thought this was nothing to worry over. At this time, things were becoming more dire in the USA, which I saw when I checked the news. I told him this and he was blown away. His words were to the effect of, "you guys have hurricanes, tornadoes, bush fires, like we do, earthquakes, and even you are going nuts over this. I told my wife, the USA is not going to become crazy too; they have more important things to worry about."
The apathy was world wide Bart.