Posted on 05/07/2020 9:47:21 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
People on social media are again questioning numbers around coronavirus cases our country.
There are claims the CDC inflated the number of coronavirus deaths, to make the virus appear worse than it seems.
People have concerns about COVID-19 deaths because the numbers are staggering.
Some argue, someone's death could be counted as COVID-19, when they actually died from something else.
However, the CDC breaks down how deaths should be accounted for.
Debates have been circulating on social media that COVID-19 deaths are being undercounted, while some—even our country’s top officials— argue COVID-19 deaths are being inflated to make the pandemic seem worse.
CDC offers guidance to public health officials on the certification of COVID-19 deaths. The latest guidance was issued April 2:
The CDC says in the guidance: “If COVID–19 played a role in the death, this condition should be specified on the death certificate. In many cases, it is likely that it will be the [underlying cause of death], as it can lead to various life-threatening conditions, such as pneumonia and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS),” the guidance says. “In these cases, COVID-19 should be reported on the lowest line used in Part I with the other conditions to which it gave rise listed on the lines above it.”
In March, the CDC introduced a new code to accurately capture mortality due to COVID-19 on death certificates.
The CDC says when reporting the number of deaths, they may seem undercounted because the information usually lags a week or two.
We also got a question about the death rate from Rita Vitale asking: “Some are saying that the death rate can't be accurate without knowing who had it and who is immune. But isn't the death rate only correct for the time being and for those who are sick with it now or at least very recently? If someone had it in November, that doesn't effect today's death rate, right?”
UW Infectious Diseases Dr. Paul Pottinger cleared up the confusion.
“It’s a really good question. And some of the confusion comes up with the terminology,” said Dr. Pottinger. "We should make it clear, there’s something called a “case fatality rate”—CFR and case fatality rate is: among people with clinical illness who are diagnosed how many of them will die of that infection.”
“That’s different from the infection rate,” Pottinger said. “The infection rate is of all the people in a particular area who have the infection, whether or not they’ve been clinically ill and how many people will die.”
Now that we’re in phase for reopening, restrictions have been lifted for some outdoor activities like hiking or playing golf.
But the question is: what’s the risk of contracting COVID-19 while we’re either exercising outside or enjoying the outdoors - can it increase our chances?
It might seem obvious, but people still aren’t getting it. Experts say the key is social distancing and the more distance, the better.
“Being cooped up everybody wants to get outside—particularly with this nice, Spring weather,” said Dr. Chris Maeda with Pacific Medical Centers. “Is there a possible risk? Sure. There’s always maybe a small risk. But it’s so small.”
Doctors say whether you’re inside or out, no matter what you’re doing, remember to stay at least six feet apart.
“Even for running and cycling and you breath harder, maybe you should have more distance than 6 feet. The more the better is really the key with all of this,” said Maeda.
We got a different question about heat and the effect on COVID-19.
Tom Koester asked this question about hot tubs saying: “Can taking a hot tub or sauna have either preventative or therapeutic effect?”
“No, I’m not aware that we have reliable data that going to sauna or hot tub would help keep away the Covid,” Pottinger said. “But on the other hand, there are other great reasons to do a sauna or hot tub because it feels great.”
But and it’s a big but—experts say if you go to the hot tub, make sure it’s on your private property—not to other people’s hot tubs or communal ones.
“Just make sure you do it right, and make sure you obey social distancing rules when you do,” Pottinger said.
A year from now, we can look back at the number of people who died in 2020 and compare that with 2019, 2018, 2017, etc.
No other analysis is really meaningful.
I believe that EVERYTHING is inflated about the Corona Virus.
Skip to the 15 minute mark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d-rarefBI3E
I think there was a post from a few days ago where the net deaths this year, all causes, was substantially lower this year than in years past. No doubt in part to people being basically locked up in their homes for 6 weeks.
that’s a good point.
Inflated
I think inflated. You have a 75 year old with cardiac disease, COPD, and diabetes, then catches COVID and dies. The COVID certainly did him no favors, but what did he really die from?
A year from now, we can look back at the number of people who died in 2020 and compare that with 2019, 2018, 2017, etc. No other analysis is really meaningful.
Bingo.
Yes - everything is inflated by as much as 200% - how much? No one knows, but God. And He ain’t tellin’............
undercounted, accurate or inflated?
All above for the Flu and Covid-19. It will take a couple of years to determine and people will argue over the question no matter what you present them.
No matter what the CDC decides to use as the guide lines on counting, there will be some group unhappy yelling conspiracy theory.
I strongly suspect a LOT of “Beer Flu” deaths are actually other things dying people were going to die of anyhow, but there’s that SWEET SWEET Federal gibs-me-dat for each Beer Flu case. Especially if you slap a ventilator hose on the corpse. If flu and pneumonia cases are down this year, that’s a likely reason why.
The feds should not pay one penny for a Beer Flu case unless there is a positive test.
No matter what the CDC decides to use as the guide lines on counting, there will be some group unhappy yelling conspiracy theory.
This.
Yesterday's Worldometer daily death numbers for the US and NYS seem inflated.
The governor of NYS said that there were 231 COVID deaths in NYS yesterday. Worldometer inexplicably added an additional 521 deaths to NYS yesterday for a daily total of 752.
And of course that jacked up the U.S. total.
Ok, where is Worldometer getting its numbers from?
“This.”
lol, here and other places too..
Amen. Some people look for a conspiracy behind every bush.
“Ok, where is Worldometer getting its numbers from?”
They are getting the numbers from the State websites. The Column on the right name Source will have a link to them.
If they are getting their numbers from the states, what accounts for the huge discrepancy as shown the previous post for NY State?
Governor Cuomo claims to have a direct reporting system to the hospitals.
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