About 40% of COVID-19 infections are asymptomatic; they show no symptoms at all. Another 40% show mild symptoms, similar to a cold or allergies, and require no medical intervention. About 20% of infections result in at least a visit to the doctor. 5% require hospitalization. 3% of COVID-19 infections result in ICU admittance. 0.65% of COVID-19 infections result in death.
Those are the general numbers provided from studies in multiple countries, including the US, based on data from serology testing and studies where blanket (e.g. whole town) testing was performed. It matches data from other controlled settings such as cruise ships.
Yes, I know those are the numbers.
But all statistics are not created equal.
For example, at sea level, 100% of the time water boils at 212°. Tests confirm this in many independent experiments. All scientists agree.
But it is NOT the number of studies, the consensus of scientists, or their educational credentials that lend credibility to the data. It is the precise definition, accountability and measurement of data that makes this experiment so conclusive.
It is easy to measure temperature of water.
It is easy to observe when water is boiling.
There are no political or financial advantages to reporting false data.
Compare that to covid.
Assessing the need for hospitalization is subjective - not deterministic.
The absence or presence of covid is difficult to measure or prove.
There can be profound political and financial incentives to skew the data.
I don’t trust any of the covid data.