CV 19 When will we take it seriously?

[cktad]

This isn't meant to be a jab at your or anything, but one problem with comparisons like this is that you're comparing a known outcome with an unknown. It's impossible to say that cases now wont be higher (or lower, for that matter), so saying that 'the flu is worse' because you have an entire year's data vs a handful of months isn't an accurate comparison.

Also, recognize that the totals for covid are still rising *despite* an unprecedented level of response. What would flu levels look like if we had social distancing? Yes, there is heightened awareness and fear, but also heightened response and yet we still unsure if we've done enough.

And when comparing deaths, the two have a distinct difference in natural immunity. We know the flu, have vaccinations for it and have exposure to it for all our lives. Those things play into a natural response that helps most people get over it better. We don't have that with covid 19.

But as has been stated many times, most people will get over this and a certain percentage will die (in much the same way as with the flu). But the load on our health system will play a big roll in what happens to the group that will get it and will need medical treatment. I think that is something that a lot of people miss when making the comparison to the flu. The rate of speed here is going to force a lot of tough choices to be made and the overall fatality rate will be affected by those choices.

Not true as flu strains mutate into completely new strains that we have no immunity to.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/new-flu-virus-strains-2633828

 

[tRidiot]

We were in Walmart the other day, buying some groceries, when I walked by the TP aisle. I saw a guy, probably in his 40's, getting the last two four-pack bundles of TP. As he turned around, he saw an older gentleman standing there. No words were exchanged, but the younger guy handed the older one one of the four-packs.

Did my heart good.

That's nice. Don't see much of that anymore.

One of our nurses got accosted and yelled at for being in scrubs at WM the other day. There are some people freaking out. This was with not a single case anywhere in our county at the time...

And BTW, our testing is now taking a week or more. We're looking for options, but my understanding is they now recommend only testing healthcare workers to see if they can stay on the job or hospitalized patients only IF it is going to change treatment. Which... it won't? I mean... there is no coronavirus-specific treatment. It's ALL supportive care.

 

[John6185]

I am persistent in my belief that short-term pain will result in long-time gain. By that I mean cloister the population in their homes, shut down everything for 2-3 weeks and let this monster wither and die. If they don't take radical and unpopular steps now, this thing could go for months and the end result is that our economy will be in shambles, businesses will have closed and they'll never reopen, people will be jobless for months to years-some of them will never work again. Colleges closing, students taking courses online, our society will be changed forever. It will be an unpopular political decision but when all is said the decision to shut down the country will be a feather in some politician's hat. Interestingly, Steve Bannon was on Fox with Maria Bartiromo this AM and he said he told Trump the exact thing, to shut everything down temporarily and kill the virus. If Trump doesnt accept Bannon's advice and act appropriately, he may not be reelected. However, if he does what Bannon suggests, it will infuriate certain Democrats such as Schumer and he will occupy OUR White House another four years.

 

[donner]

Not true as flu strains mutate into completely new strains that we have no immunity to.
https://www.verywellhealth.com/new-flu-virus-strains-2633828

My point was that we can't compare it to the flu for the same reason you listed. As you noted, not all flus are the same and the fatality rate is not uniform when you drill down. Same point but using a different example.

The type of flu that are most often cited for comparison right now are not mutated strains, or are not strictly mutated ones. And the stats that reference the overall impact each year don't differentiate strains, generally. So there might be 60 million 'infected with the flu' but only a portion might be the A strain, or B strain or a mutated strain.

So it shouldn't be a straight comparison since on one hand there are multiple attackers to the other hand with only one virus.

We are both right, albeit mine was likely oversimplified.

 

[Snattlerake]

@tRidiot
What does the test consist of? What are the parameters for being tested?
What are they looking for? What time frame from test to answer?
Inquiring minds

 

[ConstitutionCowboy]

Personally, I don't believe all the hype over this disease is necessary - unless those causing and accelerating the hype(and their useful idiots) are pursuing an agenda. There is too much inconsistency with closures, restrictions, advice, and other related bovine excrement.

If there is too much loss of life with this disease, why is there not an outrage in the press and from our government nannies over the loss of life by abortion?

I'm down to 9 rolls of TP and I will not panic!

Woody

 

[donner]

@tRidiot
What does the test consist of? What are the parameters for being tested?
What are they looking for? What time frame from test to answer?
Inquiring minds

I wont answer for him, but i have seen things where places are working on tests that return faster answers.

Basically, the hope (according to things i've read about how results are used) is to identify people who have it and quarantine them. As he noted, not much can be done for treatment, but if you can identify the asymptomatic spreaders and isolate them, you slow things down.

There is a story i saw about one Italian town (very small) that basically tested everyone early, identified those with it and stopped the spread in its tracks. I doubt that is possible here and now (both for a lack of testing and our size), but still shows how knowing does help.

Now, if everyone acted as if they had covid and did more to isolate, it would accomplish much of the same thing. But that doesn't seem to be working.

 

[dlbleak]

I keep my deer meat in a freezer at work. Ran up there to get some for a batch of jerky. Way to many people at Walmart and target IMO

 

[DavidMcmillan]

Personally, I don't believe all the hype over this disease is necessary -
If there is too much loss of life with this disease, why is there not an outrage in the press and from our government nannies over the loss of life by abortion?

Or directed to(according to CDC) the 88,000 alcohol related deaths annually? I think the answer is much like every other question involving society; "stop others, but let me alone."

 

[kirk1978]

I believe most people are taking it seriously, but not letting the media fool them into making this larger than it should be. I keep seeing folks tell everyone to "stay home"....well if we all stay home there will be no electricity, no running water, no food, no fuel for cars, no Military support to defend us......Think its a mess now, let that happen.