The COVID-19 death rate was lowered recently by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to about double that of flu.  The lowered death rate for the virus is vastly  lower from the initial 2+ million that were estimated to die from COVID-19. Currently, 5.4 MILLION have contracted it and 348 thousand have died world wide.Â
A thought: We don’t close the entire USA economy because of the flu (which kills between 30-60 THOUSAND a year) and, had the CDC and public officials known the correct numbers, we would not have closed the entire USA economy over a death rate double the flu.
Given what we know now — that COVID-19 has a double the flu rate — what stops or slows the re-opening up fully and quickly?
Politics?   Democrats are looking ahead to the USA 2020 elections. Back of their minds: How can the Democrats get votes by blaming Trump?
Remember, the original numbers estimating COVID-19 deaths were based on computer models.  The real numbers that suggest a death rate similar to flu are based on data of actual deaths.
The same Democrat run states – including California and New York –that are loudest in demanding a USA federal rescue have hurt themselves the most with long, strict lockdowns and tax spend policies.
Blue states run by Democrats reopen slower. They represent about 1/3 of the economy. About 2/3 in New York and New Jersey half of leisure and hospitality jobs in CA disappeared between Feb. and April compared to 43% in Florida.
Is this a political tactic?  People dependent upon the government for groceries and rent are more likely to vote Democrat in the 2020 elections.
Some churches in CA have pushed back and the Gov. has changed course.  CA Gov. Newsom relaxed rules which will allow churches in CA re-open with strict rules. Various CA churches have sued Newsom and planned to open by May 31, Pentecost Sunday.
So what to do when out in public?  Wash hands and social distance. Those changes seem sensible.
Wearing masks seems problematic. Taking in clean air is a lot harder to do with a mask on.   Persons with breathing difficulties will have even more difficulties.  The USA has lots of children with asthma issues.  Turning one’s head and covering one’s mouth are easier to do and these were practices taught eons ago. Those practices could be resurrected.
Don’t forget where the COVID-19 virus came from: China. Chinese officials and politicians locked down China and protected their country  from the virus and at the same time they loosed the virus on the world. Now over 190 countries have dead citizens because of Chinese policies.
Will China be held accountable? If we can’t change China we can change our policies. Let’s make sure our medicines are made in the USA and not in China.
Your thoughts?  email DrCameronJackson@gmail.comÂ
