Lt. Gov Dan Patrick wants Grandparents to Sacrifice Lives for the Economy (Howe: home, vs.)

[Trainwreck20]

If you don't understand the difference between the seasonal flu and Covid by now, then you are most likely intentionally avoiding actually looking into the differences.

[DPatel304]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

If you don't understand the difference between the seasonal flu and Covid by now, then you are most likely intentionally avoiding actually looking into the differences.

I understand the difference, but my question still stands: How does everyone here think we should handle the flu?

[Trainwreck20]

The flu is handled via herd immunity, vaccinations, and a predictable number of cases/hospitalizations every year. None of which applies to Covid on it first pass through.

[DPatel304]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

The flu is handled via herd immunity, vaccinations, and a predictable number of cases/hospitalizations every year. None of which applies to Covid on it first pass through.

Is it possible to reduce the amount of deaths by going on lockdown?

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by DPatel304

I understand the difference, but my question still stands: How does everyone here think we should handle the flu?

If you are still asking the question, then no, you do not understand the difference. The flu should be handled how it has always been handled. We are not trying to prevent death from Covid, we are trying to prevent death from lack of care while someone has Covid. And to delay as long as possible to get a vaccine.

[Trainwreck20]

Originally Posted by DPatel304

Is it possible to reduce the amount of deaths by going on lockdown?

Yes. Enormously. The most comprehensive review in the UK (which led to their change in approach) was that 'lockdown' would save somewhere between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the UK.

[DPatel304]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

Yes. Enormously. The most comprehensive review in the UK (which led to their change in approach) was that 'lockdown' would save somewhere between 250,000 and 500,000 people in the UK.

I meant for the flu.

[DPatel304]

Originally Posted by Trainwreck20

If you are still asking the question, then no, you do not understand the difference. The flu should be handled how it has always been handled. We are not trying to prevent death from Covid, we are trying to prevent death from lack of care while someone has Covid. And to delay as long as possible to get a vaccine.

I actually say this same thing in my first post:
"On a slightly related note, I wonder how many lives are being saved by 'flattening the curve'. My understanding of 'flattening the curve' is that we are mainly trying to spread out the deaths, not necessarily prevent them. Although by spreading them out, we don't overwhelm the healthcare system and we can save more lives in the process, but I just wonder what the number of deaths look like whether we flatten the curve or not."

[biafra4life]

Originally Posted by DPatel304

That doesn't answer my question, though. How does everyone here think we should handle the flu?

We dont need to go into lockdown over the flu because we have vaccines for the flu (you might have gone in for a flu shot). THERE IS NO VACCINE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS. Yes, that was in all caps just to emphasize the point to everyone who keeps minimizing this as just the flu. It's not.

This is why Italy's healthcare system is now on the verge of collapse. This is also why NY is right behind Italy. For the flu, we have enough treatments to where 99% of the population can take tamiflu, stay hydrated and rested and recover within a couple of days. No need for hospitalization.

A virus for which there is no cure whatsoever means that for a lot of people, the virus will inflict far more damage, forcing the use of ventilators of which we dont have enough. In Italy they are now having to play God and decide who gets to live and who doesnt because there is not enough ventilators for everyone.

And last point, everyone keeps talking about the 80,000 who die every year from the flu. With this virus, and no vaccine to stop it, you now are risking millions of health compromised people who may have other conditions making it harder for them to fight the virus.

This is why we need the shut down. Unless you agree with Patrick and are willing to let potentially millions of people die to save the economy?

[DPatel304]

Originally Posted by biafra4life

We dont need to go into lockdown over the flu because we have vaccines for the flu (you might have gone in for a flu shot). THERE IS NO VACCINE FOR THE CORONAVIRUS. Yes, that was in all caps just to emphasize the point to everyone who keeps minimizing this as just the flu. It's not.

This is why Italy's healthcare system is now on the verge of collapse. This is also why NY is right behind Italy. For the flu, we have enough treatments to where 99% of the population can take tamiflu, stay hydrated and rested and recover within a couple of days. No need for hospitalization.

A virus for which there is no cure whatsoever means that for a lot of people, the virus will inflict far more damage, forcing the use of ventilators of which we dont have enough. In Italy they are now having to play God and decide who gets to live and who doesnt because there is not enough ventilators for everyone.

And last point, everyone keeps talking about the 80,000 who die every year from the flu. With this virus, and no vaccine to stop it, you now are risking millions of health compromised people who may have other conditions making it harder for them to fight the virus.

This is why we need the shut down. Unless you agree with Patrick and are willing to let potentially millions of people die to save the economy?

I understand that COVID19 is way more severe than the flu.

However, people do still die from the flu. Can't we go on lockdown to reduce those deaths? It's a seasonal virus, no? Meaning we could shut down until the weather warms up and the virus disappears?