Regarding the coronavirus COVID-19, it has been advocated by notable opinion writers such as David L. Katz and Thomas Friedman that the advocacy of reducing human contact to minimize the spreading of COVID-19 might result in a worst outcome to the economy and to the people of this country than simply to let COVID-19 run its course. Such opinion appears to have been accepted and propagated by the President of the United States under the slogan, “the cure might be worse than the disease.” Such opinions are not only wrong, but also borderline criminal malfeasance.

It is accepted that there is no cure at this time for COVID-19, and the only way to minimize its impact on the U.S. population is to avoid community contact. Now let us look at the numbers measured by mortality rates (deaths per thousands). Here are some mortality rates: Normal mortality rate in the US is 8.6. That includes 1.9 for cardiovascular disease, 1.6 for cancer, 1.0 for the common flu, and 0.12 for traffic accidents. COVID-19 mortality rates according to WHO are 34. Than includes 72 for Italy and 23 for China. The Governor of California believes that 50% of the California population will be contaminated. Assuming that the Governor of California is correct, 5.6 million people will die in the U.S. from COVID-19 until it runs its course. One hundred per cent contamination will result in 11.2 million deaths. At the rate of death, prior to advent of COV-19, deaths in the US from all causes were 2.8 million.

By contrast 116,000 and 405,000 American soldiers died respectively in World Wars I and II. Sen. Johnson of Wisconsin argues that if we can handle 0.12 deaths per year per thousand for traffic accidents we should be able to handle 34 for COVID-19. Glen. Beck has stated he wants to sacrifice himself for the economy to recover by accepting his own death for COVID-19, so that his children and grandchildren will see a better economy. Katz, Friedman, Beck, Johnson, the pundits at Fox News, and even the President of the United States, are currently diluted. It is no longer the economy, stupid. It is the mortality rate stupid.

Cristobal Bonifaz

Conway