More Thoughts on COVID-19

The Virus

In the four months since my last post we’ve learned a lot about COVID-19, yet many things remain a mystery. So far, the mortality rate in the US is holding steady at about 3.5%- right in line with previous novel corona virus variants such as SARS, MERS and H1N1. The infection rate, however, is considerably higher with just over 1% of the country infected in the first half of 2020. Assuming this rate stays steady, we’ll see about 8 million cases in the U.S. by the end of the year, with about 300,000 of those ending in death. That means that roughly 1% of the U.S. population will die from COVID-19 in 2020 if everything stays as it is.

For comparison, 16.5 million people sought medical attention for the “regular flu” in 2019, with 34,200 of those ending in death. (source) Twice as many infections, but one tenth as many deaths- not a lot of support for those who say that annual flu shot isn’t necessary.

The Media

It’s long-standing cliche’ that where media is concerned, “sex sells.” Sex, however, can’t hold a candle to the eyeball-attracting power of fear. Sex sells, but fear excels.

I wonder what the world would look like today if media outlets gave automobile accidents “the COVID treatment.” Would we hear daily updates of the 6 million average auto accidents a year? Would there be headlines detailing each of the 34,000 deaths that occur annually? (source) COVID-19 has been a gold mine for print, television and online news outlets, and it appears there is no end in sight.

Remember, the media doesn’t exist to educate you or to inform you. They exist to profit from you.

Masks

Surgical masks have been a standard line of defense against spreading infection since the late 1800s when research on “droplet infections” proved their effectiveness. Whether it be a simple piece of cotton, or an advanced synthetic weave with electrostatic properties, masks have shown to be very effective at preventing the passing of bacteria and viruses from an infected person to an uninfected person.

So if you’re sick, wear a mask.

Masks can also be an integral component of an overall combination of Personal Protective Equipment to help keep healthy people healthy. Without gloves, sleeves, a face shield, and hair-covering, however, a mask alone is not enough.

Are they useless? No.

Are they a cure-all? No.

Earlier this week I needed to visit the local AT&T store where I was greeted with a sign saying that masks are required for entry to the store. I grumbled as I put my mask on (I do keep one with me when I’m out, though I have no faith in its ability to keep me well).

“I practice reasonable social distancing guidelines. I’m healthy. Me wearing a mask will not protect you from COVID-19, because I don’t have COVID-19. Me wearing a mask does nothing but inconvenience me, and offers no benefit to you. ” These are the thoughts that went through my head as I adjusted my mask and watched the sales associate approach.

Then another thought occurred to me- “They don’t know that.”

They don’t know that I’m not running a fever. They don’t know that I’m healthy. They don’t know that the odds of me having COVID-19 are so low as to not be worth calculating.

They know the media has told them to be afraid- all day, every day for 7 months.

They know their company policy requires that all employees and customers wear a mask- whether the reason for that is Public Health or Public Relations is irrelevant.

My Response

I’ll do my best not to be a maskhole. I’ll wear one when required. I’ll fight my know-it-all nature and attempt to say nothing if you choose to wear one when not required. I’ll try not to scoff or grumble, because it’s the kind and loving thing to do for those around me.

I’m doing my best to live my life in as “normal” a way as possible in a world that seems to have forgotten what “normal” is.

I have no fear of COVID-19.

None.

I’m not afraid of contracting it.

I’m not afraid of passing it to my children.

The numbers don’t support fear- even among “high risk” individuals, the survival rate is over 95%.