Reasons:
1) Extensive travel from the Wusan epicenter by thousands of travelers to NYC/North Jersey major airports. The virus spreads to the local population.
2) Travel in the region in confined, sealed subways, commuter railroads and then packing into crowded elevators.
3) A large number of tourists, mass gatherings at parades, sporting events, restaurants and work sites.
The result. A raging pandemic caused by a novel virus in a population that has no inherent immunity. Of course made worse by vile, incompetent politicians
Yes, then throw in cool temperatures, and one of the other main concerns, transfer of virus via health care professionals. Healthcare workers will have killed thousands when this is finally over.
Another “possible” factor in those aged 45+ concerns medications which increase ACE2, such as to lower blood pressure, and cause a greater risk of a more severe reaction to COVID19. Probably will not know conclusively until after the pandemic is over and statistical study can be conducted. A number of British papers carried this story:
(also reported in Daily Mail)
https://www.thesun.co.uk/news/11168074/medicine-millions-increase-coronavirus/
Yep. The entire NE should be quarantined starting at the Philadelphia/Delaware border going West along the I-76 to I-81 up to the he Canadian border.
Those all explain infection rate being elevated compared to other places. It doesn’t explain why the death rate is higher.
“1) Extensive travel from the Wusan epicenter by thousands of travelers to NYC/North Jersey major airports. The virus spreads to the local population.”
Wrong! It spread for NYC from Europe. About 80% of those infected in NYC have the Italian strain of the virus, not the original Wuhan strain. Italians were coming to NY through mid March with no screening!