A Little Perspective, Please?
Posted by pianowow on May 1, 2009
I’m writing this to address the panic that Swine Flu has caused.
The World Health Organization announced this morning that a total of 9 people have died from Swine Flu. That’s nine, as in, one less than ten. Total infections of Swine Flu are 331. That’s a death rate of 2.7%. On average. But if you live in a developed country, the death rate drops dramatically.
Compare this with the annual statistics on general influenza. The flu affects tens of millions of people per year, killing a few hundred thousand. And in general, the only deaths that occur in developed countries are the very young, very old, or already ill.
So while the death rate for swine flu are higher than that of seasonal influenza, you sort of get what you deserve, for playing with pigs. Coming into direct contact with the most filthy animal on the planet is the only way to contract the disease. Who honestly expects there to be no risk in such an action?
But, if, on the other hand, you’re like me, and have never touched a pig your entire life, the risk is non-existent. You can’t get it any other way, unless of course someone is stupid enough to go out in public when they’re sick. I guess I should stress that. Don’t go out if you’re sick! Also, the only risk in eating pork or bacon is your cholesterol.
The coverage of this story is absolutely ridiculous, laughable. The media are profiting from fear, and it has angered me over and over again. People, spend 5 minutes and look up the facts, will you? There’s absolutely no reason to spend two minutes worrying about this. I’m kind of upset that I’ve had to spend more time than that writing this.
pianowow said
Ok here’s how this story plays out. I’ve had some comments from people that make me want to provide further info/speculation.
Patient 0 plays with a pig on vacation or visiting a farm. He contracts the disease.
Scenario 1: He doesn’t get sick… even though he deserves to. End of story.
Scenario 2: He gets sick, and goes to the hospital immediately, who treats him, and he lives. End of story.
Scenario 3: He gets sick, and stays at home, using over the counter medications to treat himself. He lives. End of story.
Scenario 4: He gets sick, and is stupid enough to risk infect others by going out in public. Patient 1 gets coughed on, contracts the disease, and develops symptoms of his own. Patient 0 eventually recovers, or dies if he ignores that he’s sick can’t be treated somehow.
Patient 1 gets to choose his own fate from the above four options. End of story. Granted if everyone chooses scenario 4, everyone dies. What are the odds of that, I wonder? Common sense, while not so common, will at least save the people who are worth saving.
The current statistics are 1490 infected, 29 dead, a 1.9 percent death rate… even lower than before. This is good news! Why is no one reporting this information? The trend of the death rate over time is going down!
CLM said
Facts on the tiny percentages will not be presented while the media is in bed with the idea of a “need” for nationalized healthcare and undocumented immigration. The media will push the panic button on anything health related and will not waste the disaster because it can help their cause.
pianowow said
As of today, 0.6% death rate – we are murdering this disease.