Maybe zombies aren't real ... But replace "zombie" with a virus outbreak that doesn't respond to medicines - or even worse, a "superbug" ... And you have the same scenario. Millions, perhaps billions, dying - the collapse of civilization and society.
A totally plausible scenario. After all, it has already happened numerous times in history. The plagues that decimated the population of Europe and the Americas.
What are you talking about? I'm right here. Obviously I'm real or I wouldn't be able to answer the question. Seriously though its not the zombies that they are afraid of. Zombie invasion just symbolizes barbarian invasion. So people aren't afraid of zombies. Their really afraid of the fall of civilization from an invading unstoppable horde.