In summary, we believe that the Richards model provides an important tool for rapid epidemic modeling in the face of a public health crisis. However, predictions based on the Richards model (and all other mathematical models) should be interpreted with caution early in an epidemic, when one need to balance urgency with sound modeling. At their worst, hasty predictions are not only unhelpful, but can mislead public health officials, adversely influence public sentiments and responses, undermine the perceived credibility of future (more accurate) models, and become a hindrance to intervention and control efforts in general.