Re:Widespread mask wearing could prevent second waves of COV...
by dragonwriter on Tuesday July 14, 2020 @04:29AM
(#23829703)
> Why so much social change for a virus where the median age of death is over 80
The “social change” is why the media age of death is so high; the elderly are the least able to withstand the supportive measures necessary to survive serious COVID-19 illness, and it is the “social change” that has kept the number of simultaneous cases down to the level where those who need it are likely to get the proper supportive care.
Without that, the median age of death would drop considerably, as well as the number of deaths skyrocketing.
Of course, just because death is both the most serious adverse outcome and the one for which statistics are easiest to compile doesn't mean it's all we should care about.
> How many of that 1.5% would have made the end of the year?
The vast majority of those in the developed world. Sure, in the US the median age of death may be a little over 80, but life expectancy at age 80 is 9 years for women, 7 for men.
The “social change” is why the media age of death is so high; the elderly are the least able to withstand the supportive measures necessary to survive serious COVID-19 illness, and it is the “social change” that has kept the number of simultaneous cases down to the level where those who need it are likely to get the proper supportive care.
Without that, the median age of death would drop considerably, as well as the number of deaths skyrocketing.
Of course, just because death is both the most serious adverse outcome and the one for which statistics are easiest to compile doesn't mean it's all we should care about.
> How many of that 1.5% would have made the end of the year?
The vast majority of those in the developed world. Sure, in the US the median age of death may be a little over 80, but life expectancy at age 80 is 9 years for women, 7 for men.