| Topic: | Re:Re:Re:Re:Re:Complacency and Ignorance will kill far more | |
| Posted by: | Andy Riley | |
| Date/Time: | 07/08/20 16:18:00 |
| Philippa, As ever with thinking about risk we have to have some idea of the numbers involved. I realise a lot of people feel uncomfortable with data and statistics but we simply cannot make risk judgments at societal level based on stories and anecdotes. You have provided 2 stories. I have done a bit of web based research and cannot find any studies that quantify the risk of continuing health problems for young people. Of course, this is mainly due to the fact that this is a new disease so by definition, we don't have any recovered cases of more than 8 months or so. We do know that the death rate for children and young adults is miniscule. For children it is about the same as being struck by lightening. The causes of ME are still unknown: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chronic_fatigue_syndrome#Cause but viral infection is noted. So it is not unlikely that Covid-19 will leave some patients in a similar condition or with other long term problems. At a personal level, we take risks all the time, so I want to know what is the comparative risk involved with Covid-19 versus other activities I knowingly expose myself activities to such as: driving, crossing the road, rock climbing, flying etc etc. Where does Covid-19 fit in compared with these? This is infrequently explained well. |