Matthew, I think you raise several interesting points.
Regarding differentiation between this disease and other common diseases (i.e., seasonal flu), one huge differentiator is that our hosptial system has, over time, come into equilibrium with normal annual cycles of "common" disease. The occurance of illnesses requiring hospitalization…
Matthew, I think you raise several interesting points.
Regarding differentiation between this disease and other common diseases (i.e., seasonal flu), one huge differentiator is that our hosptial system has, over time, come into equilibrium with normal annual cycles of "common" disease. The occurance of illnesses requiring hospitalization are likely consistent and predictable, save natural or manmade acute disasters (9/11). The real issue with COVID is that, if left unchecked, we will have a HUGE influx of hospitalizations that quickly overrun our hospital capacity, as was the case in NYC and Italy. Living in a first world country, we should not knowingly embark on a mad adventure that will lead to infirmed individuals dying on sidewalks outside of the hospital. Keeping all of this in mind, I can easily rationalize a SHIFT in our behaviors to prevent this from happening. Examples include the use of masks, outdoor seating at restaurants, no large indoor gatherings. These are frankly not big inconveniences for MOST of the population. At the same time, the government needs to have a fucking plan on how to accomodate rapid testing responses. Other modern, non-authoritarian countries have done it (Germany comes to mind).
Matthew, I think you raise several interesting points.
Regarding differentiation between this disease and other common diseases (i.e., seasonal flu), one huge differentiator is that our hosptial system has, over time, come into equilibrium with normal annual cycles of "common" disease. The occurance of illnesses requiring hospitalization are likely consistent and predictable, save natural or manmade acute disasters (9/11). The real issue with COVID is that, if left unchecked, we will have a HUGE influx of hospitalizations that quickly overrun our hospital capacity, as was the case in NYC and Italy. Living in a first world country, we should not knowingly embark on a mad adventure that will lead to infirmed individuals dying on sidewalks outside of the hospital. Keeping all of this in mind, I can easily rationalize a SHIFT in our behaviors to prevent this from happening. Examples include the use of masks, outdoor seating at restaurants, no large indoor gatherings. These are frankly not big inconveniences for MOST of the population. At the same time, the government needs to have a fucking plan on how to accomodate rapid testing responses. Other modern, non-authoritarian countries have done it (Germany comes to mind).