[NELSON111]

>>>They are people too. Are you saying it acceptable that they die?

I guess they are expendable. I wonder if he took the R0 into account and the much higher ICU rates needed - which could overwhelm the system? What happens then?

[DouglasKC]

I guess they are expendable. I wonder if he took the R0 into account and the much higher ICU rates needed - which could overwhelm the system? What happens then?

Yes, the ICU rates are the big show stopper. Overwhelming.

[BluegrassCardinal]

Fair enough, since conjecture is the name of the game.

Is it possible that the higher CFR in Wuhan is due to terrible air pollution, overcrowding, higher rates of cigarette smokers?

Nobody knows for certain what will happen here.

[Kozak]

“I guess they are expendable. I wonder if he took the R0 into account and the much higher ICU rates needed - which could overwhelm the system? What happens then? “

WE have just under 100,000 ICU beds in the US.
During flu season there is basically no excess capacity. It’s common to end up holding ICU admissions in the ED for a day or days waiting for a bed to open. Surgeries are cancelled.

It won’t take much at all to completely overwhelm the system.