Coronavirus
Out of context: Reply #962
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- SteveJobs-1
To put my previous post in more concrete terms, consider the following admittedly over-simplified and highly unrealistic scenario:
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Ficticious stats
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Out of 10,000 DeathsAges 0-9: 0
Ages 10-19: 0
Ages 20-29: 0
Ages 30-39: 0
Ages 40-49: 20
Ages 50-59: 160
Ages 60-69: 820
Ages 70-79: 4000
Ages 80-89: 5000
---------------------------If this were real-time aggregated data (I wish I could bold, highlight, italicize, and underline that) that was reflective of the world-wide pandemic and if the media and political figures released this data, how might people react/have reacted differently? Do you think that hoarding would be or would have been as much of an issue? Maybe in Florida, but I think people are smart enough to see their chances of survival in such a scenario.
How would it affect this site? Our lives? Sure, we'd take the recommended precautions, particularly those of use closing in on 50, but few would act disproportionately to the situation as we do when we see the following actual stats:
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Actual stats from Johns Hopkins
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Worldwide:
214,010 Cases
8,727 Deaths
83,207 Recoveries
---------------------------Even when broken down by country/state, it's still not enough to get a sense of what's really going on out there. This data isn't consumable or actionable. And the media doesn't do a much better job of painting that picture.
Hope this pains a better picture of what I think would help us all.
- Also, one reason the data is so important is to put it all into context. Solid aggregate numbers along side typical flu numbers would be helpful to people.SteveJobs
- Many have tried that already but based on what is probably highly unreliable data.SteveJobs
- I don't think individuals panicking or hoarding food is the real issue here. It's the total shutdown of the economy, closing of borders...all these extremeyuekit
- measures governments are taking to contain the virus.yuekit
- Yes, and why are they taking those measures? You're right, that's arguably the problem, but not directly. It's the effect, not the cause.SteveJobs
- They are taking those measures because of what they saw happen in China, and what is now happening in Italy.yuekit
- Actually, I take that back. Some of those measures do probably need to be taken, so I actually agree with you. I am thinking more about the public reaction.SteveJobs
- The medical system getting completely overwhelmed to the point of collapse, and hundreds of people dying every day.yuekit
- As to which is worse, you may be right. I haven't given it much thought. But I still feel the dissemination of data is lacking.SteveJobs
- Like I mentioned earlier, the critical data that is missing is knowing how many people are infected in the first place.yuekit
- The USA has no idea at all. So all these drastic policies are being implemented while flying blind.yuekit
- Yeah, you're right. My mind is very one-tracked right now and I spend the last 4 days in bed dealing with the flu so not 100% yet.SteveJobs
- Knowing how many people are infected would be great but we both know that's logistically impossible.SteveJobs
- Not necessarily, the government would just have to get its act together. South Korea is testing 10,000 people a day.yuekit
- Here's hoping..SteveJobs
- I bet 80% of the deaths, they had preexisting (terminal) conditions.robotron3k
- Based on what robotron? That would be good information to spread (or maybe it's already out there?)SteveJobs