There is a good line in 'Dune' which goes 'Fear is the mind killer'. The unrelenting and highly biased media coverage of Covid 19 is creating so much fear that it's hard to think straight. We have a daily death total for a killer disease which on the ranking of killer diseases is worrisome for sure, but low compared to other causes of death. Worldwide 58 million people died in 2019, so Covid- 19 deaths at 0.3 million so far are lower than say tuberculosis deaths at 1.5million in 2018. Common seasonal flu kills circa 650,000 a year. RTA's worldwide account for 1,350,000 deaths, but do we see the media saying every day 'And today another 3700 people were killed on our roadways?'' Please don't drive your cars!
If you 'google' the figures, Covid-19 ranks less than number 20 and is dwarfed by deaths from cancer and heart disease. Yet heart and cancer patients have seen operations and treatment postponed because of covid-19.
I believe those who are afraid should stay at home and isolate , and those who are not should be allowed to make their own decisions as long as they don't put others at risk. My final point, the public sector NHS funded by private sector taxation won't be here to look after anyone if the private sector fails, which at present is happening rapidly as much of it remains locked down. The two metre rule will destroy thousands of businesses. We have to find a better way to control this disease and quickly or saving the NHS will be a minor worry as the young and healthy try to save themselves from destitution.
|