A little perspective helps; Covid-19 won't be the last pandemic in human history, but the number of fatalities will be greatly diminished

American Thinker ^ | 03/18/2020 | Anna L. Stark

[SeekAndFind]

What’s worse? The rapid spread of a novel virus which originated in China or the media hysteria created and broadcast around the world? If it was the intent of the American media to create a state of fear and panic, they’ve succeeded brilliantly.

The dissemination of information pertinent to the virus has morphed into a murky river of rumors, innuendo, outright lies and blather proffered by pundits who are neither doctors nor experts on much of anything other than opinionating. Despite the media hype, COVID-19 is not the first world pandemic and it won’t be the last. As long as humans have walked the earth, deadly contagions have existed. During some of the most virulent periods in history, entire populations were wiped out. A sense of perspective is now warranted.

From the first recorded pandemic in 430 B.C. to present day, communicable disease has ravaged the health and well-being of mankind. When humans transitioned from hunter-gatherers 10,000 years ago to an agrarian lifestyle, communal living made the transmission of deadly diseases such as malaria, tuberculosis, leprosy, and smallpox much more prolific.

As trade between different regions of the world spread, so did disease and the pandemics which followed. In fact, trade routes, the building of cities, and wars provided numerous pathogens a reliable modem to infect and kill millions. In short, as civilizations rose and prospered, plagues and pandemics struck them down. The 430 B. C. pandemic in Athens was suspected to be typhoid fever, originating in Northern Africa, which passed over the Mediterranean Sea via soldiers on ships bound for Greece during the Peloponnesian War. About 2/3 of the population died. This plague was followed by:

The Antigone Plague -- 165 A.D. (thought to be smallpox)

The Cyprian Plague -- 249 to 262 A.D (also thought to be smallpox)

[SeekAndFind]

SOME MORE PERSPECTIVE:

* According to the John Hopkins Coronavirus Tracker, updated in real time, there are 7,516 deaths worldwide due to COVID-19; a majority of those deaths occurring in China, Italy, and Iran.

* There are currently a little less than less than 200,000 cases also reported worldwide. Those numbers will rise. Will there be more deaths before the virus has “washed over” and the curve of infected people finally flattened? No doubt, but tens or hundreds of millions of fatalities won’t happen, thanks to modern medicine and the ability of governments to respond immediately to the pandemic.

* Vaccine testing is underway, while social distancing, closure of schools/public gathering places, cancellation of sporting events, coupled with work-from-home arrangements, and the quarantine of infected individuals which will help to help stem the spread of the virus.

* It’s also worth mentioning that in comparison, deaths in the United States due to influenza has already topped 20,000 for the 2019-2020 flu season and for which there has been no media hype, nor panic.

[Skywise]

Tower of Babel?

[crusty old prospector]

I remember that Cyprian Plague. It was a doozy.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: I remember that Cyprian Plague. It was a doozy.

You my friend, have lived longer than Methuselah, what’s
your secret ? :) LOL

[crusty old prospector]

Why, I am General George Patton.

[kabar]

Once the results from expanded testing in the US are received, we are going to learn that the Wuhan virus is about as deadly as the generic flu. We have destroyed our economy needlessly.

We had to destroy the village to save it.

[SeekAndFind]

RE: we are going to learn that the Wuhan virus is about as deadly as the generic flu.

I believe this as well. Here’s the question -— IS IT MORE INFECTIOUS/CONTAGIOUS/TRANMISSIVE?

All indicators tell us that compared to the generic flu, it is.

[KansasGirl]

This is what I think too.

[kabar]

It seems to be more infectious, but we don't have the necessary data to make that assumption. The real question is how much more of a burden will the Wuhan virus place on our healthcare system. Right now, it appears that the elderly and others with lowered immune systems and underlying conditions are more vulnerable and are more likely to require hospitalization. But that is also the case with the generic flu. The rest of the population, including children, seem to be able to endure the virus and recover at home.

China and South Korea appear to be plateauing and even decreasing in terms of new cases and deaths. Even Italy appears to have peaked. Is that a function of government policies or a natural course of the virus?

Germany now has the fifth largest number of cases, but its mortality rate is far less than France or Italy. Lots variables, which makes it difficult to project what will happen here.

[sima_yi]

If it was the intent of the American media to create a state of fear and panic, they’ve succeeded brilliantly.

What do you mean, "If"?

[sima_yi]

I remember that Cyprian Plague. It was a doozy.

I remember Brian Williams reporting on it, live.

[crusty old prospector]

Hillary! was there as well.

[wardaddy]

So called experts here on this forum are running full steam with these death rates which are based on confirmed cases

For the record the flu death rate is based on estimates of total cases

Based on confirmed cases here it’s 10% death rate

Then we get into comorbidity death rates which in Italy are huge numbers in the death numbers ...some even claiming 90 plus percent also have serious existing illness like cancer and taking chemo etc

What’s average age....77-80

Worlds gone crazy.

[wardaddy]

Except with influenza kids get it a lot and die frequently especially babies

Not true with corona ...the opposite in fact

Huge difference

[Terry L Smith]

What has made this pandemic seem bad, is that the average human, in their quest for instant knowledge, resposibility be damned, has created the world of people who talk to a camera, while reading whatever has been placed in front of them. A paradise of peurility!!