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The annual death rate in the USA is 2.8m. The virus will spread throughout the biosphere and become a standard part of the human virus paradigm, like the common

The annual death rate in the USA is 2.8m. The virus will spread throughout the biosphere and become a standard part of the human virus paradigm, like the common cold or flu. The best than can be done is to manage and stage its extent as much as possible, to avoid overwhelming healthcare services all at once. The Japanese seem to have the same idea. Cases should be triaged and medical resources dedicated to those aged 50 and lower, who are still working and in generally good health. The US pension system across many states, companies, and the federal Government itself is unsustainable, so this virus may be the key to bring those programs back into proper operation. Cities like Chicago will face a huge relief as Coronavirus spreads and lessens their pension burden. Additionally, the housing freed up could be used by younger people and families, dramatically improving the quality of life for much of society. Inheritances could be used by younger generations to invest in businesses or upgrade personal living situations. Lower pension and healthcare expenditure will allow lower taxes, perhaps allowing the elimination of payroll taxes. The deaths will be tragic but from a purely economic perspective Coronavirus looks like a major opportunity for Western societies to de-age. We are very lucky that unlike other Pandemics, this virus is restricted to the sick and elderly, and barely impacts the young and healthy, unlike say the Spanish Flu.

gbear0 7y ago
On the premise that this virus does become standard, I've been wondering whether post infection you have a better immunity towards other related SARS-like viruses in the future? In which case, would there potentially be a net positive if SARS-like viruses no longer have the same effect? Is it possible that this could be like getting chickenpox young and protecting you from worse things (measles as adults) in the future? (note: I know nothing when it comes to health related issues like this so I'm assuming it's completely naive thought since I haven't seen anyone else mention anything similar)
- nostrademons 7y ago
  The coronavirus family includes SARS, MERS, COVID-19, and 4 viruses that cause the common cold. Coronavirus causes about 15% of common colds per year. If you don't get SARS immunity from the coronaviruses that cause the common cold, it's unlikely that you'd get it from COVID-19.
  - gdubs 7y ago
    Curious, do you know how it is that a vaccine could potentially be developed for Wuhan coronavirus, whereas the common saying goes, “there’s no cure for the common cold”?
    - thatcat 7y ago
      The common cold is just a phrase said when you have a mild unknown respiratory infection. If you could narrow down the cause you could devise a vaccine, but you would have to find all the possible forms and then get vaccines against those also if your goal is to not get some version of the common cold.
    - nostrademons 7y ago
      The reason there's no cure for the common cold is that the common cold is caused by ~200 different viruses. You can vaccinate against the individual viruses, which prevents infection from that particular strain only. There are additional complications in that many cold viruses generate only partial or temporary immunity, and the immunity wears off in a couple years. Also that coronaviruses mutate fairly quickly (though not as quickly as influenza, another illness that's caused by a family of viruses rather than a single one and generates only temporary immunity). I've heard that coronaviruses are also fairly hard to develop vaccines for because of technical reasons that I don't really understand. But if your goal is partial, temporary immunity to protect against a circulating pandemic - similar to a flu shot - it's theoretically possible. That partial, temporary immunity is why adults get fewer colds than children do - they already have immunity to many of the cold viruses circulating within the local population.
DyslexicAtheist 7y ago
> The virus will spread throughout the biosphere and become a standard part of the human virus paradigm, like the common cold or flu. I think this will take a long long time. so far that hasn't happened with SARS and MERS. (we also don't have a vaccine for those 17 years later).

gbear0 7y ago

On the premise that this virus does become standard, I've been wondering whether post infection you have a better immunity towards other related SARS-like viruses in the future? In which case, would there potentially be a net positive if SARS-like viruses no longer have the same effect? Is it possible that this could be like getting chickenpox young and protecting you from worse things (measles as adults) in the future? (note: I know nothing when it comes to health related issues like this so I'm assuming it's completely naive thought since I haven't seen anyone else mention anything similar)

nostrademons 7y ago
The coronavirus family includes SARS, MERS, COVID-19, and 4 viruses that cause the common cold. Coronavirus causes about 15% of common colds per year. If you don't get SARS immunity from the coronaviruses that cause the common cold, it's unlikely that you'd get it from COVID-19.
- gdubs 7y ago
  Curious, do you know how it is that a vaccine could potentially be developed for Wuhan coronavirus, whereas the common saying goes, “there’s no cure for the common cold”?
  - thatcat 7y ago
    The common cold is just a phrase said when you have a mild unknown respiratory infection. If you could narrow down the cause you could devise a vaccine, but you would have to find all the possible forms and then get vaccines against those also if your goal is to not get some version of the common cold.
  - nostrademons 7y ago
    The reason there's no cure for the common cold is that the common cold is caused by ~200 different viruses. You can vaccinate against the individual viruses, which prevents infection from that particular strain only. There are additional complications in that many cold viruses generate only partial or temporary immunity, and the immunity wears off in a couple years. Also that coronaviruses mutate fairly quickly (though not as quickly as influenza, another illness that's caused by a family of viruses rather than a single one and generates only temporary immunity). I've heard that coronaviruses are also fairly hard to develop vaccines for because of technical reasons that I don't really understand. But if your goal is partial, temporary immunity to protect against a circulating pandemic - similar to a flu shot - it's theoretically possible. That partial, temporary immunity is why adults get fewer colds than children do - they already have immunity to many of the cold viruses circulating within the local population.

DyslexicAtheist 7y ago

> The virus will spread throughout the biosphere and become a standard part of the human virus paradigm, like the common cold or flu. I think this will take a long long time. so far that hasn't happened with SARS and MERS. (we also don't have a vaccine for those 17 years later).