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Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

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Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#61
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you saying that just based on PCR testing results, or actual experience in daily life? You at least get to shop, study, entertain and transport yourself in public without limitations, which is something that most people from elsewhere in the world cannot say?

The lack of limitations is part of the problem. We're currently at the highest number of COVID cases and deaths but despite that there is a lot of resistance against the government implementing a lockdown, in large part because the federal government is run by science-hating lunatics. The most horrifying recent news is that hospitals around the country are running out of sedatives used for COVID intensive care. There…

But what guarantee is there that lockdown would prevent this?

Peru has had strict lockdowns, but their COVID deaths are about the same as Brazil, when adjusted by population size.

The same in Europe - Sweden actually has fewer deaths than strict lockdown countries.

Wouldn't it be simpler for Brazilian society to just properly fund and manage healthcare (which it sounds like is the primary problem) rather than ceasing most economic, public, and social activity as part of lockdown?

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#62
post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The lack of limitations is part of the problem. We're currently at the highest number of COVID cases and deaths but despite that there is a lot of resistance against the government implementing a lockdown, in large part because the federal government is run by science-hating lunatics. The most horrifying recent news is that hospitals around the country are running out of sedatives used for COVID intensive care. There…

But what guarantee is there that lockdown would prevent this? Peru has had strict lockdowns, but their COVID deaths are about the same as Brazil, when adjusted by population size. The same in Europe - Sweden actually has fewer deaths than strict lockdown countries. Wouldn't it be simpler for Brazilian society to just properly fund and manage healthcare (which it sounds like is the primary problem) rather than ceasing…

Intensive care units are at over 90% capacity in most of the country, even after taking into account the recent expansions in the number of beds available. Even if we had all the money in the world, there are not enough doctors to take care of the current volume of COVID patients. At this point, secondary measures to reduce the rate of new infections are the only way to try to avoid a total collapse of the healthcare system.

Sweden is also not a good example of against lockdowns. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-prageru-sweden-...

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#63
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

But what guarantee is there that lockdown would prevent this? Peru has had strict lockdowns, but their COVID deaths are about the same as Brazil, when adjusted by population size. The same in Europe - Sweden actually has fewer deaths than strict lockdown countries. Wouldn't it be simpler for Brazilian society to just properly fund and manage healthcare (which it sounds like is the primary problem) rather than ceasing…

Intensive care units are at over 90% capacity in most of the country, even after taking into account the recent expansions in the number of beds available. Even if we had all the money in the world, there are not enough doctors to take care of the current volume of COVID patients. At this point, secondary measures to reduce the rate of new infections are the only way to try to avoid a total collapse of the healthcare…

COVID deaths per capita:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat...

Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK.

These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems.

This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified.

Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Southern Hemisphere, whilst Europe and North America are entering Summer - which also adds a seasonal element to comparisons.

Aren't ICUs meant to be used to capacity? Why would hospital planners build ICUs that aren't going to be used?

What about looking at general public health improvements, such as improving air quality (by increasing the price of coal and oil products, and encouraging EVs) and reducing obesity (by taxing sugar) - which will have benefits beyond this current epidemic - given that obesity and cardiovascular health are major comorbidity factors for COVID severity.

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#64

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I wouldn't say zero. He works there, he gets the feel there. You have to wonder why did he said all of those specific things. Do you think he made them all up on the spot? Those things he said line up with their programming (the death toll counters, etc.).

CNN's 24/7 death clock seems to have disappeared when Biden was inaugurated. It's almost as if .... :-)

It's wild to me that people think there was some big anti-Trump effort with Covid news -- there were 3,300 people per day dying of the disease in January, now there are 1/4th - 1/5th as many. Maybe, just maybe, that's why the news has changed focus?

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#65
post #26

Here in Brazil the pandemic is currently in the worst phase it has ever been, with no signs of improving in the near future. I'm glad that other countries can have good news to share but unfortunately that is certainly not the case here.

At this end of this article, there are some detailed reports on the effectiveness of ivermectin in Brazil.

https://covid19criticalcare.com/ivermectin-in-covid-19/epide...

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#66
post #62

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Intensive care units are at over 90% capacity in most of the country, even after taking into account the recent expansions in the number of beds available. Even if we had all the money in the world, there are not enough doctors to take care of the current volume of COVID patients. At this point, secondary measures to reduce the rate of new infections are the only way to try to avoid a total collapse of the healthcare…

COVID deaths per capita: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat... Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK. These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems. This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified. Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Sout…

It's hard to believe that you are arguing in good faith if you're trying to suggest that Brazil is anywhere close to doing well when it comes to COVID.

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#67
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

COVID deaths per capita: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat... Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK. These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems. This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified. Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Sout…

It's hard to believe that you are arguing in good faith if you're trying to suggest that Brazil is anywhere close to doing well when it comes to COVID.

I don't even know where to start. Even though you're lucky to be able to work from home, it sounds like you're taking on a lot of burden to keep those around you safe.

Rather than compare countries that did horribly or slightly less horribly, I would give several counterpoints from Asian countries that took strict but short measures early on and have now been living free without dying for it. Waste of time in this thread though. I hope you be OK soon.

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#68
post #66

Earlier quoted context omitted.

COVID deaths per capita: https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat... Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK. These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems. This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified. Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Sout…

It's hard to believe that you are arguing in good faith if you're trying to suggest that Brazil is anywhere close to doing well when it comes to COVID.

Peru has lockdown - they were one of the first countries to initiate it, in March 2020.

Brazil does not.

The results in both countries are basically the same, when using COVID deaths per capita as the primary measure.

How can you conclude logically that Brazil's no-lockdown approach is a failure?

Its not realistic to compare to East-Asian countries which are in many cases wealthy islands with strong borders and homogenous populations.

Lockdown interrupts regular medical care and worsens the health of the existing population, from things like decreased activity and poorer diets [2]:

[1]https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-lockdown-may-have-ind... [2]https://time.com/5949263/pandemic-weight-gain/

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#69
post #3

There is a steady stream of anti-vaccine fake news - all designed to look plausible. People with an education in biotech detacts this, the common person weighs it as a bit of valid news = seeds of doubt are sown. check microbe.tv for the real goods.

As someone with a degree in bioengineering, I can tell you - yes there are a lot of plausibly fake items. HOWEVER, almost all COVID19 information is from non-peer reviewed sources and governments / corporations who have already shown a willingness to mislead. Furthermore, the PCR protocols that were being used initially have been retracted and modified (even though all our tests & vaccination methodology was based of…

You weren't downvoted the instant you clicked submit, and the users who downvoted you are definitely legit. Obviously this was a provocative comment to put it mildly. The site guidelines ask you not to go on about downvotes (and also not to post insinuations about manipulation).

https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html

Re: Why Is All Covid-19 News Bad News?

#70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

CNN's 24/7 death clock seems to have disappeared when Biden was inaugurated. It's almost as if .... :-)

It's wild to me that people think there was some big anti-Trump effort with Covid news -- there were 3,300 people per day dying of the disease in January, now there are 1/4th - 1/5th as many. Maybe, just maybe, that's why the news has changed focus?

There were a lot fewer people per day dying last September than today, but CNN's death clock was 24/7 then.

https://covidtracking.com/data/charts/us-daily-deaths

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