Re:Pfizer's oral Covid-19 antiviral cuts hospitalization, de...
by SketchySeaBeast on Friday November 05, 2021 @10:57AM
(#29120181)
Especially when we note that the clinic definition of obesity is much smaller than people think of, and 42% of Americans qualify.
Re:Pfizer's oral Covid-19 antiviral cuts hospitalization, de...
by timr on Friday November 05, 2021 @11:14AM
(#29120425)
That may be true, but it doesn't automatically mean that 42% of Americans are high risk. This is reflected in the aggregate statistics. Mild obesity is probably not a significant risk factor, whereas severe obesity is a big problem.
The BMI-based definition of "obesity" is a crude qualifier, and the vast majority of the affected will be in the smaller group that is both elderly and obese (esp. considering that age is, by far, the more important factor for serious outcomes.)
The control arm of this study had a rate of "hospitalization or death" of 7% because they selected for subgroups at high risk.
It's fine to acknowledge that aggregate risk of Covid is low (and indeed, more people should acknowledge that fact), but we must also acknowledge that it is a serious risk for a large group of people.