COVID-19 (f/k/a "the Coronavirus")

[Pakuni]

After seeing the way posters here and many media outlets have weaponized the death toll to induce panic/fear, yes I think a more accurate accounting of Covid deaths is important.

It's disgusting how the media are making such a big deal about 91,000 dead in less than three months.
#justtheflu

[forgetful]

After seeing the way posters here and many media outlets have weaponized the death toll to induce panic/fear, yes I think a more accurate accounting of Covid deaths is important.

People aren't weaponizing the death toll. They are trying to accurately portray the state of COVID infections.

But, so you agree that the actions taken by Pennsylvania and Colorado to decrease deaths, and in turn intentionally undercount COVID deaths, due to political reasons was a terrible idea.

And that an accurate accounting of deaths, by including probable cases is the right thing to do.

[ZiggysFryBoy]

People aren't weaponizing the death toll. They are trying to accurately portray the state of COVID infections.

But, so you agree that the actions taken by Pennsylvania and Colorado to decrease deaths, and in turn intentionally undercount COVID deaths, due to political reasons was a terrible idea.

And that an accurate accounting of deaths, by including probable cases is the right thing to do.

Pakuni, in the post right above you, is weaponized the death toll.

[The Sultan]

Pakuni, in the post right above you, is weaponized the death toll.

Not really.  It was a snarky comment.

[pacearrow02]

Pakuni, in the post right above you, is weaponized the death toll.

Haha

[ZiggysFryBoy]

Not really.  It was a snarky comment.

Considering who the poster is, it's not snark.  He's the smartest one here and only speaks facts. 

[MU82]

Thou shall not question the well read blogger.

Said nobody. Especially me.

[pacearrow02]

People aren't weaponizing the death toll. They are trying to accurately portray the state of COVID infections.

But, so you agree that the actions taken by Pennsylvania and Colorado to decrease deaths, and in turn intentionally undercount COVID deaths, due to political reasons was a terrible idea.

And that an accurate accounting of deaths, by including probable cases is the right thing to do.

If they adjusted it down purely for political reasons then I think that's a terrible idea.  Not sure how two D governors adjusted their death number down because of political pressure from members in a minority party with historically low approval numbers but if that's your take have at it.

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they are just trying to give a more accurate count.  Would be interesting if states could/would list out actual deaths and then a number for "probable" deaths.

[The Sultan]

Considering who the poster is, it's not snark.  He's the smartest one here and only speaks facts. 

Actually Pakuni is pretty level headed.  And hyperbole only shows how weak your statement is.

[pacearrow02]

Considering who the poster is, it's not snark.  He's the smartest one here and only speaks facts.

And the rest of us just vote for trump cus he don't use no big words.

[Pakuni]

Considering who the poster is, it's not snark.  He's the smartest one here and only speaks facts.

[tower912]

Facts are now 'weaponized'.   Think about that for a minute.

[Frenns Liquor Depot]

[GooooMarquette]

That same attitude shouldn't just be reserved for Fauci, Cuomo, and the 100s of other people who can look back wishing to change a thing or two in their local response to Covid.  Trump has been far from perfect in this but he seems to be the only one where perfection is expected and anything short of that makes his handling of this a complete failure. 

Nobody expects perfection from Trump. Quite the contrary; at this point, most would be happy with competence, humanity and a willingness to admit when he was wrong. Regrettably, he falls short even of these modest expectations.

[Hards Alumni]

I love the idea that no one can ever make a mistake or revisit a position based on new information.  And if they do, that means that everything they have ever said previously is therefore invalid.

Absolutely.  In addition, if you admit you were wrong about something, you are now wrong about everything forever.  We are rigid beings who can not make mistakes, admit the mistakes we make, nor accept mistakes from others.

[pacearrow02]

Haha!

[pacearrow02]

Facts are now 'weaponized'.   Think about that for a minute.

I guess that's the root of the issue....the number that's being reported might not actually be very factual.

[forgetful]

If they adjusted it down purely for political reasons then I think that's a terrible idea.  Not sure how two D governors adjusted their death number down because of political pressure from members in a minority party with historically low approval numbers but if that's your take have at it.

I'm giving them the benefit of the doubt that maybe they are just trying to give a more accurate count.  Would be interesting if states could/would list out actual deaths and then a number for "probable" deaths.

There are things called elections. This is an election year. Pennsylvania and Colorado are competitive states. Outside money and influences were using the "deaths number" as a rallying cry to bring in more money for the GOP cause. Changing the numbers, negates that rallying cry.

There was already data showing those states were actually undercounting. Reducing the number of deaths deliberately exacerbates that problem.

I guess that's the root of the issue....the number that's being reported might not actually be very factual.

You are right. The data shows that we are undercounting the number of deaths.

[The Sultan]

I guess that's the root of the issue....the number that's being reported might not actually be very factual.

If anything, it is underreported.  Those who have increased it, are actually following federal guidelines.

And then there is this.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/19/florida-covid-19-coronavirus-data-researcher-out-state-reopens/5218897002/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

[MU82]

If anything, it is underreported.  Those who have increased it, are actually following federal guidelines.

And then there is this.

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2020/05/19/florida-covid-19-coronavirus-data-researcher-out-state-reopens/5218897002/?utm_campaign=snd-autopilot

That's one of the sadder (non-death or non-sickness) articles I've read since this whole thing started. Thanks for bringing it to our attention.

[tower912]

I guess that's the root of the issue....the number that's being reported might not actually be very factual.

It might be off by a fraction of a percent nationwide.   But right now, an entire defense is being mounted on the notion that a few hundred deaths nationwide might possibly only have COVID as a secondary reason, that even though the patient had COVID, something else killed them.   And a few death certificates out of 90k (and rising) is somehow proof of conspiracy.    What a crock.

[TSmith34, Inc.]

That same attitude shouldn't just be reserved for Fauci, Cuomo, and the 100s of other people who can look back wishing to change a thing or two in their local response to Covid.  Trump has been far from perfect in this but he seems to be the only one where perfection is expected and anything short of that makes his handling of this a complete failure. 

Everyone said from day 1 he should listen to the scientists.  Ironically, I think the biggest mistake he made was, from day 1 he was listening ONLY to his scientists.

Cuomo, DeWine, Hogan, Newsom and the like didn't get high marks because they were perfect, they got high marks because they took it seriously, worked very hard to protect their citizens, showed empathy, accepted responsibility, and attempted to follow scientific and medical advice.

Similarly, Trump wasn't a failure because he wasn't perfect, he was a failure because he did pretty much the opposite of what the governors above did. He didn't take it seriously, tried to downplay it, wasted 8 weeks playing golf and holding rallies, refused to take any responsibility, blamed anyone and everyone besides himself, told states they were on their own, and when a scientific plan was finally outlined he wasted no time immediately undermining it with "LIBERATE!" tweets.

The President of the United States should be held to a higher standard than Governors as he has the full power of the national government behind him. However, even if we hold him to the same standard, he was an abject failure.

[MU82]

It might be off by a fraction of a percent nationwide.   But right now, an entire defense is being mounted on the notion that a few hundred deaths nationwide might possibly only have COVID as a secondary reason, that even though the patient had COVID, something else killed them.   And a few death certificates out of 90k (and rising) is somehow proof of conspiracy.    What a crock.

Yep. I mean, even if you and I had the authority to say, "You know what, Trumpsters ... you're right! Deaths have been over-reported by 10%!" ... that means there still have been 80K COVID-19 deaths in just a few months.

Heck, even if they have been over-reported by 25%, it's still nearly 70K deaths.

IMHO, based on everything I have read and heard, death totals have been under-reported, and probably significantly so. But yes, even if they had been over-reported by 10% or 15% or 25%, it's still a tragic number of deaths.

Talk about a ridiculous talking point for some supporters of President Pandemic to keep harping on.

[pacearrow02]

Yep. I mean, even if you and I had the authority to say, "You know what, Trumpsters ... you're right! Deaths have been over-reported by 10%!" ... that means there still have been 80K COVID-19 deaths in just a few months.

Heck, even if they have been over-reported by 25%, it's still nearly 70K deaths.

IMHO, based on everything I have read and heard, death totals have been under-reported, and probably significantly so. But yes, even if they had been over-reported by 10% or 15% or 25%, it's still a tragic number of deaths.

Talk about a ridiculous talking point for some supporters of President Pandemic to keep harping on.

Not sure about others but as I stated the accurate reporting of deaths I feel is important so the public can weigh risk/reward and accurate mortality rate by age group, etc.

Nothing to do with Trumps handling of it.  You're right whether it's 60K deaths or 100K deaths everyone has their opinion of his handling already locked in but having an accurate number will hopefully lead to
More informed decision making at local levels on when/how to reopen.

Also if it's closer to 60K deaths as opposed to 100K then You could argue #itsjusttheflu

[Spotcheck Billy]

Also if it's closer to 60K deaths as opposed to 100K then You could argue #itsjusttheflu

Do you really suspect over counting by 50%?