[Aloysius88]

The number we have been needing is one that is not subject to fudging or finagling. During the Spanish Flu in 1918 they used a calculation called excess deaths to determine what number of deaths could be laid directly at the feet of the disease. No assumptions, no hair-splitting, just simple arithmetic. (This is my first post ever. Please be nice. Thanks.)

[donozark]

No one driving

[mmichaels1970]

People staying at home?

[erlayman]

Because deaths go down in economic downturns, although less eating out cannot hurt.

https://www.npr.org/2018/01/09/576669311/hidden-brain-great-recession-deaths

[palmer]

Thanks for posting March. I think the trend may continue in April. Also numbers from later this year will show a drop due to any premature mortality now.

[Paladin2]

Social separation over-achieves on many factors.

[rightwingcrazy]

I was just asking about this very thing. Thanks. Since deaths are down, not up, can we ease up on this madness now?

[rhinohunter]

ping

[Reagan80]

Everyone and everything is in a holding pattern right now, including the grim reaper.

[libertylover]

Bump.

[ProtectOurFreedom]

You’ve been here TWENTY TWO years and this is your first post ever?

You must have won the all-time high Lurker award today!

[eastexsteve]

Much less driving and the bars are closed.

[Busywhiskers]

Isolation means less transmission of all diseases and less driving and other risky behavior. It is a dangerous thing to leave home.

[House Atreides]

Hmmm.., instead of EXCESS DEATHS it appears we’re facing a DEATH DEFICIT. Mein Gott, what are we going to do to get our deaths back!

Good first post. ;-).

[Vermont Lt]

No one driving. College kids not drinking themselves to death.

I find it interesting that heart related deaths have declined...a lot. I guess not having to sit next to that jerk in the office does have health benefits. Ha ha.

[Cooter]

Also, less medical negligence due to postponed elective procedures

[A_Former_Democrat]

Less flu. People are taking precautions social distancing, washing their hands

my hands have been the cleanest They’ve ever been

And yes less social Irresponsibility DWI murder etc.

[billyboy15]

Simple answer, Chinese Virus saves lives.

So let’s get back to work....NOW!!

[Wuli]

Less “highway” deaths? And maybe less of other deaths minimized by everyone staying in?

So, maybe the economy should just shut down every year from January 1 to June 1. A half-year economy. Half the size of the economy in December 2019.

[nickcarraway]

That’s the average, what is the range?

[EasySt]

If Fauci gets his way, we’ll be locked down until after the next election,
And we’ll ALL be vaccinated with Bill Gates Population Reduction vaccine.

THEN he can say his work here is done.