According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Sweden has reported 82,383 cases so far, with 356 new cases reported Aug 7. They have also reported 5,763 deaths. There is no data on the number of recoveries. However, 5,763 divided by 82,383 times 100 (to make a percent) comes out to 7% death rate--which is *slightly* higher than the "1 in 200" (0.5%) chance of dying that the MD writing this article claims. And clearly, it *is* still a problem in Sweden, evidenced by the fact that new cases continue to increase (albeit not as quickly as previously).
Downplaying the seriousness of Covid-19 does no one any favors. While it might help to fuel conspiracy theories, all it tangibly accomplishes is to make people complacent. And complacency leads to failure to take the appropriate measures to stop the spread, which in turn has brought us to this situation where we are *still* dealing with this pandemic. The *only* way to beat this thing is to understand its nature and to use the most accurate and recent scientific information to guide prevention measures. Pretending it's not a problem only prolongs the length of time that we have to continue dealing with it. Personally, I want Covid-19 gone.
exDemMom wrote: “According to the Johns Hopkins Center for Systems Science and Engineering, Sweden has reported 82,383 cases so far, with 356 new cases reported Aug 7. They have also reported 5,763 deaths. There is no data on the number of recoveries.”
You’re assuming that all cases are so severe that they are ‘reported’. This leaves out all those with minor symptoms. It also leaves out those who are ‘asymptomatic’ - you know the ones that make it necessary for us to wear masks and shut down the economy.
“The *only* way to beat this thing is to understand its nature and to use the most accurate and recent scientific information to guide prevention measures.”
As a person with multiple vulnerabilities, I consider it my responsibility to take personal prevention measures. I don’t consider it responsible to have the majority of the population which faces a much, much lower mortality risk to take extreme measures to protect me.
I don’t think we can sustain the prevention measures imposed on the entire population. People at low risk are going to forget to be on guard all the time, that’s just human nature, they’re not being malicious, and the infection will spread.
Re: “Stop the spread”
I agree that it is possible to slow the spread but is “stopping” the spread possible?
I thought the point of the initial quarantine was to slow the spread ( flatten the curve) so that our medical system would not be overwhelmed.
You did not read carefully.
The Swedish doctor is talking about case fatality rates.
The total estimated number of infections in Sweden is in the range of 11%-12% of the population - about 1.2 million.
That is where the 0.5% CFR (1 in 200) comes from.