WNU Editor: When I look at recent pandemics .... 1.1 million deaths Asian flu (1957 - 1958), 1.0 million deaths Hong Kong flu (1968 - 1970), and 200,000 deaths Swine flu (2009 - 2010) .... compared to today's 22,000 deaths from Covid-19 .... has the reaction been overblown? Will this pandemic produce the same death total numbers that pandemics in the past 60 years have produced even though the global population has more than doubled during this time and Covid-19 death rates are now declining in China, South Korea, and other Asian countries? Currently, the global number of Covid-19 cases is growing exponentially (see above graph) as well as its death toll. If this exponential death toll continues we will match the death toll numbers of the Asia flu (1.1 million in 1957 - 1958) in less than 2 months. Will that happen? And does it justify wreaking the global economy to make sure that it does not happen? We still do not know where this will end. But I am willing to bet that this is a debate that is going to happen once this is all over.
6 comments:
WNU, when it started I also thought it is WAAYYY too extreme to shut down economies.. and I still somewhat think like that.. however, this virus is so contagious and first death rate reports were around 3%, then Italy happened with excess of 5%.. that could have killed millions more than the worst pandemic.. it was a close call for sure, and no one will be able to tell how bad it could have gotten without these drastic measures.
Sadly, I think more people will die due to the economic shutdown... suicides due to depression will skyrocket.. on top crime will skyrocket..
Furthemore you will have - thanks to the trillions and trillions wiped out - tons of LOC (lost opportunity costs), delaying perhaps crucial cures, treatments, social reforms and that's just the tip of the ice berg
All in all, I wonder if this was an act to cover up for the largest single wealth transfer this World has ever seen. Guided by the WHO, heavily influenced through media that saturated us all with scary images from China, Wuhan - where the virus originated.
But, all these bad things aside, at least it brought a sense of community and purpose - understanding we are all in this together and so on...
Glass half full kinda guy, but this pandemic sucks
easy to say after you "flatten the curve".
Italy is the example of what happens if you don't respond.
Corona virus is the common cold.
Ever heard of herd immunity?
Herd immunity is a lot cheaper than crashing your economy.
PS:
Italy had the whole hug a Chinese PSA. The mayor of Florence, Italy was a big proponent.
He is not wacist! No siree! Did that contribute to the spread?
I think Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, LA, NYC, Baltimore. DC, & Boston should have a hug a Mainlander Chinese day to prove that they are not xenophobes
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Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin says record three million new unemployment claims are 'NOT RELEVANT' because 'the President is protecting people' with $1,200 checks in three weeks - as crippled economy's jobless total hits 3.3 million and counting=====
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