Quote Originally Posted by Geoff Parkstone View Post
which could be because the corona dead are in addition to those killed by flu, cars, cats and so on, and so "new".

However amongst the lies, damned lies and statistics, I learn from ONS that 56,000 deaths in the UK in 2019 are down to flu, not 17,000: so who knows which is correct

That 56,000 is "excess winter deaths", not just flu, but people (mainly over 65's) who are counted as having died prematurely due to respiratory infections (which are by the way the usual manner of death for old people) such as flu, pneumonia etc generally but not solely as a result of various factors but including, poverty (poor diet, poor living conditions), air pollution, low temperatures, smoking etc.

It could be that deaths from Corona virus are in addition to those from flu and other respiratory diseases, but as I pointed out in a previous post, there is no context to judge this, if for example 379 over 65's die every day than would be expected due to excess winter deaths, then corona virus doesn't look very threatening, the government could actually save far more people by tackling pollution, smoking and poverty.

Its ironic but the global panic is going to paralyse the world economy, risking a recession and even more premature deaths as a result.

We'd have been better off being calm, giving clear advice to people on hygiene. self isolation if they have the symptoms, not visiting GP's and hospitals etc.

The reality is that 99% will survive but some won't and there is no treatment that will save those who won't, all that can be done is provide ventilation until they die. But the numbers still won't be anywhere near the thousands who die every year with neither widespread media concern or governments acting to prevent them.