leswp1
Well-known member
Re: Covid 19
Have been following this closely since before it started- have a fascination with the whole epidemiology thing and they have been warning for a few yrs now. there are a bunch of things that make this more than a bad flu. It isn't the microbiology of it but the public health impact and resources. It frustrates me when people are looking only at the micro of it. Technically if only considering that they are correct. But- there are other variables.
Most important- Wuhan had a significantly higher death rate than outlying provinces. Not because of the population but because the sheer burden of cases. They made the pretty hospital with 20k of beds but didn't have the staff or the equipment to handle the volume. There are not many places in this country that can handle extra volume. How many hospitals have go to diversion during Flu season? Many. Only this time there will be no where to divert to.
We have a firewall of sorts when considering the Flu- people who have been immunized are less likely to spread or get very ill. That means the people that chose not to or cannot get vaccine are less likely to get it if they are surrounded by people who have prevented. No one has immunity to COVID ergo everyone is at risk to be a vector. Some research is showing reinfection. Some research is showing viral shed up to 8 weeks first testing positive. People who are getting sick are staying very sick, needing intensive intervention, for ~2wks when compared to 1 week if flu.
While I understand the Libertarian view that it should be your business- it is not just your business. If you put yourself at risk, catch the thing you impact those around you in many ways. If you are lucky enough to be asymptomatic you are a vector. If you become acutely ill and end up occupying a bed with a ventilator attached for 2 weeks you are no longer just doing you. You are using resources that could be used for someone else because you used your freedom of choice. This is a case where personal decisions become community risk. Hopefully enough people care about the others around them to decrease this risk
I apologize if I was not civil (truly). It is mighty frustrating to see people saying reassuring things that may lead to unintended spread or bad outcomes but I should not have been snide.
Have been following this closely since before it started- have a fascination with the whole epidemiology thing and they have been warning for a few yrs now. there are a bunch of things that make this more than a bad flu. It isn't the microbiology of it but the public health impact and resources. It frustrates me when people are looking only at the micro of it. Technically if only considering that they are correct. But- there are other variables.
Most important- Wuhan had a significantly higher death rate than outlying provinces. Not because of the population but because the sheer burden of cases. They made the pretty hospital with 20k of beds but didn't have the staff or the equipment to handle the volume. There are not many places in this country that can handle extra volume. How many hospitals have go to diversion during Flu season? Many. Only this time there will be no where to divert to.
We have a firewall of sorts when considering the Flu- people who have been immunized are less likely to spread or get very ill. That means the people that chose not to or cannot get vaccine are less likely to get it if they are surrounded by people who have prevented. No one has immunity to COVID ergo everyone is at risk to be a vector. Some research is showing reinfection. Some research is showing viral shed up to 8 weeks first testing positive. People who are getting sick are staying very sick, needing intensive intervention, for ~2wks when compared to 1 week if flu.
While I understand the Libertarian view that it should be your business- it is not just your business. If you put yourself at risk, catch the thing you impact those around you in many ways. If you are lucky enough to be asymptomatic you are a vector. If you become acutely ill and end up occupying a bed with a ventilator attached for 2 weeks you are no longer just doing you. You are using resources that could be used for someone else because you used your freedom of choice. This is a case where personal decisions become community risk. Hopefully enough people care about the others around them to decrease this risk
