OldManUfer

March 20th, 2020 at 1:21 PM ^

You're right, which is why people who know what they're talking about haven't claimed we're trying to contain it for a while now. It's all about mitigating the impact and buying time. I'm trying to stay civil, but the fact that you continue to claim otherwise means you're either disingenuous or not paying attention.

NittanyFan

March 17th, 2020 at 7:18 PM ^

You might be right.  And there is a part of me that agrees with you on that 10,000,000 number.

But, we just don't know.  We need more data - (1) serology testing and (2) testing a random selection of the population for the virus itself would be helpful.  Problem is, #1 isn't developed and we don't really have enough tests available to do #2.

4godkingandwol…

March 17th, 2020 at 7:21 PM ^

God, I hope your guess of 10mm isn’t accurate, because that would lead to about 48k deaths of elderly in the US, assuming 3% mortality for that demographic, over the next month or so.  And that assumes there are zero net new infections. I’m hoping it’s closer to a couple hundred thousand currently with the spread rate decreasing now that all leaders are speaking soberly about the impact and importance for sheltering in place.
 

At a couple hundred thousand current cases, the butchers bill is going to be about 1k elderly dead, plus any we get from further spread. 10mm would have massive impact on our society. Could you imagine An incremental 50k people dying every month? 

1WhoStayed

March 17th, 2020 at 8:04 PM ^

4godkingandwol: "At a couple hundred thousand current cases, the butchers bill is going to be about 1k elderly dead, plus any we get from further spread. 10mm would have massive impact on our society. Could you imagine An incremental 50k people dying every month?"

Seriously, 200k? Where do you get you numbers? According to the CDC there are currently 4,226 cases in the US with 75 deaths. There is a lag on updates as they seem to place a priority on getting the numbers correct:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/cases-in-us.html

If you're sharing global numbers, Johns-Hopkins has a nice map which would get close to your 200k number for cases. But that wouldn't explain your 1k dead per 200k because the death count is closer to 8000 global. So I'm not clear on what numbers you're putting together to get your 50k per month deaths. Note: The JH map has several disclaimers as they pool information from multiple sources and make no claim on accuracy.

https://gisanddata.maps.arcgis.com/apps/opsdashboard/index.html#/bda7594740fd40299423467b48e9ecf6

And, if the 11 million WAS correct, the mortality rate would be much MUCH MUCH lower than your 3%. So, there's that as well. Unless your position would that the elderly aren't part of that number!?!?

Cornman may be full of shit but he's stating an opinion - not twisting facts to paint a worse picture. 

Meanwhile, in other news, the numbers of people being tested is on the uptick per the CDC: Once the public health labs got up to speed it took off. Still a long way to go, but the CDC buggered that up with their arrogant decision on which testing approach to take.

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/testing-in-us.html

Personally, I think it is overblown. Media is taking this and running with it. Every new case sets off an alarm. Rarely does the media mention that the number of tests being completed is going up exponentially and we EXPECT the cases to go up as well. And when it is mentioned, it's typically a footnote.

And people - there's no need to jump down everyone's throat that doesn't agree with your OPINION. Because at this stage, that's all we have. I've talked to several people in the last few days that think it's ridiculous. You're not seeing that hear because they get shouted down when they dare to disagree.

Anyway, hopefully someone finds the links useful. IMHO, 11 million already infected would be the best case scenario as it would demonstrate a much lower mortality rate than the 3.4% which started this panic.

snarling wolverine

March 17th, 2020 at 9:47 PM ^

What's really started the panic is the fact that 300+ people a day are dying of this in Italy right now.  

BTW, the latest numbers for the US are 6,482 cases and 111 deaths.  This is a good site:

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

If you think this is “overblown” I encourage you to ask a hospital worker.  It’s already getting bad in a lot of emergency rooms.  The danger with this virus is that it could overwhelm our hospitals.  That's when you end up with a disaster like Italy is facing.

1WhoStayed

March 18th, 2020 at 2:58 AM ^

Thanks for proving my point. The site YOU provided a link for says 6300 total currently infected in USA. Of those , 12 (twelve) are serious and 6,288 are mild. But again - and this is my biggest issue - nobody is talking about the significant increase in testing. If you only focus on the “cases” with no reference point it’s ridiculous.

BTW - World-O-Meter, seriously? You think a projection tool with algorithms for a novel virus is a better source than the CDC which is 100% fact based?

 

 

blue in dc

March 17th, 2020 at 10:05 PM ^

Are you arguing that even if we took much less aggressive action than we are taking, it is unlikely we would end up with overwhelmed hospital rooms like they have seen in Italy or China?   While you are certainly entitled to your opinion that seems to fly in the face of the evidence we’ve seen.

outsidethebox

March 18th, 2020 at 8:57 AM ^

You may be right. And the problem here is that your guess is as valid as most-given the lack of data. However, your last sentence is very likely profoundly incorrect-unless the goal is to eliminate a sizable chunk of the population...especially those that are already fragile/frail.

Couzen Rick's

March 17th, 2020 at 6:28 PM ^

Which is precisely why everyone needs to stay home. Imagine that there's millions more like Durant with none or mild symptoms that could be spreading it. South Korea "flattened the curve" by testing everyone and isolating positive results. Their findings? The largest portion (almost 30%) carrying the virus were 20-29 year olds with minor symptoms. 

You can extrapolate and assume this is true for the rest of the world as well.

Stay home.

ManiacalWolverine

March 18th, 2020 at 7:23 PM ^

Sure, I know they are always declaring national emergencies and shutting the entire country down for "no big deal". Nobody said panic, I simply said be careful, if you have a problem with the science you should take it up with the Epidemiologist's, virologist's, Doctors or other experts that work for the CDC, WHO, State DHEC or whichever agency you decide is wrong today because every one of them is trying to warn us to be careful. But, Hey you must of stayed at a holiday inn express last night.

ManiacalWolverine

March 18th, 2020 at 10:52 PM ^

I never said russian roulette YOU AND SOME OTHER POSTER DID, re-read what we wrote. In either case you are wrong, there is more than one strain of the virus and one is much stronger and can effect even 20 - 50 year olds. There is alot of research in from italy that shows that is the case. That is not promoting panic its just the facts. If the facts make you panic then thats not on me. 

https://www.abc.net.au/news/health/2020-03-18/coronavirus-covid-younger-people-also-risk-serious-illness-death/12059326

And careless people like you will cause the hospitals to fill up too fast and then when you get in a car accident you can't be treated properly so no matter how you spell it your wrong.

Just to be clear I DO NOT think anyone should panic but to be as flippant as you are about this is extremely dangerous and that is backed up by literaly every organization, doctor, nurse, scientist and they know a whole lot more than either one of us. You should take them serious

bostonsix

March 17th, 2020 at 9:42 PM ^

So I'm curious, how does it work if you contract it after a test being negative? How often should we all get tested since the CDC has said this virus hasn't reached its peak yet. 

 This isn't an STD, so technically we can't just assume by our abstinence from touching people that we will remain safe.  

Couldn't someone still contract the virus, after having the test done, after a negative diagnosis?  

Wouldn't that make this a prognosis? 

 

jmblue

March 17th, 2020 at 10:29 PM ^

You can contract it at any time.  It's not a test to see if you are immune, it's a test to see if you carry the virus right then.  So yes, you could theoretically test negative and then come into contact with a carrier minutes later and get it.

They're not asking everyone to get tested though, only people with significant symptoms.