[Blue_Ridge_Mtn_Geek]

"We've known this on FR ever since the disease started. And even though the official press releases did not mention it, I'll bet the docs at CDC and WHO knew it too. (If they did not, then I am REALLY worried.)"

Yes, they know it, and I suspect that they have internal estimates that are based on all of the considerations raised in the article. Those estimates, because of those considerations, undoubtedly have fairly large error terms to reflect the uncertainty in deriving estimates from immature (and, in this case, severely censored) worldwide statistics. What's interesting, really, is that this is being discussed in the public press. Generally, journalists are not particularly well versed in the issues behind the data they report, and in my experience, when you try to give them a clue, their eyes quickly glaze over and they move on to other topics, or sign off quickly.

Maybe this source has a slightly better class of reporter on staff. Bears watching, anyway.

[First Amendment]

Another point that I have only seen mentioned once or twice is that the death rate for patients with access to the best medical care may be vastly different if there aren't enough hospital beds or medical care for people. If people just have to stay home and care for themselves, and thereby infect their familes... I can imagine (if this really spreads) whole familes being sick, unable to care for themselves and each other... That is scarey.

[aristeides]

I think the corporate media are very much interested in preventing panic. Bad for commerce. Makes advertisers unhappy.