3 ms·

> Makes you wonder why... Come out and tell us. I'd like to hear a broad summary of your position. I do suspect it's a trifle more conspiracy-leaning than you'

> Makes you wonder why... Come out and tell us. I'd like to hear a broad summary of your position. I do suspect it's a trifle more conspiracy-leaning than you're currently making out. Ending with a dog-whistle like this rather amplifies that impression. (I browse HN with showdead switched on which adds context to some comments that are easy to miss otherwise) I think there's a valid debate to be had about mortality, unexpected consequences and over-reaction but the minute I start looking into that side of the argument I quickly get lost in the thickets of bizarre conspiracy theories and extremist views. And even short of the crazies - there is some terribly ingenuous cherry-picking of data (although admittedly both sides of the debate do this - as is sadly true with most public discourse)

atomashpolskiy 6y ago
Conspiracy? Please. One example: two hour-long interviews of John Ioannidis from March and April have been removed by YT a few days ago. And he is very careful with picking words and stating opinions. But he happened to foretell (based on reasearch that he was doing at the time) the mortality rate comparable to seasonal flu when everyone was talking about 1-7%. My point is that if you give even slightest attention to alternative info sources, then you may clearly see, that COVID is 90% a political/economic issue.
- andybak 6y ago
  > the mortality rate comparable to seasonal flu when everyone was talking about 1-7%. I don't ever remember anything close to 7% being seriously discussed. But also I don't see how people can say "close to seasonal flu" without being very selective with the data they pick. Bear in mind it's become clear that the CDC's seasonal flu figures where high-balled so you see a lot of of comparisons between an unrealistically high IFR for flu with their own favourite low methodology for COVID.
  - atomashpolskiy 6y ago
    https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200331/covid-19-death-rate-drops-still-deadly-to-seniors https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200331/covid-19-death-rate... Literally one of the first links for "covid fatality rate", one from March 31st. They mention 3.5% average estimate from CDC/WHO with 4.8% for highest risk groups. I can't be bothered to find links to original reports and statements though. Can't really comment about the second part, as I'm not an expert, but while fractions of a percent surely are important from the organizational point of view (e.g. estimating loads in hospitals and such), I believe that in a broader context the phrase "close to seasonal flu" was used to help people relax and stop PANIC!11

atomashpolskiy 6y ago

Conspiracy? Please. One example: two hour-long interviews of John Ioannidis from March and April have been removed by YT a few days ago. And he is very careful with picking words and stating opinions. But he happened to foretell (based on reasearch that he was doing at the time) the mortality rate comparable to seasonal flu when everyone was talking about 1-7%. My point is that if you give even slightest attention to alternative info sources, then you may clearly see, that COVID is 90% a political/economic issue.

andybak 6y ago
> the mortality rate comparable to seasonal flu when everyone was talking about 1-7%. I don't ever remember anything close to 7% being seriously discussed. But also I don't see how people can say "close to seasonal flu" without being very selective with the data they pick. Bear in mind it's become clear that the CDC's seasonal flu figures where high-balled so you see a lot of of comparisons between an unrealistically high IFR for flu with their own favourite low methodology for COVID.
- atomashpolskiy 6y ago
  https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200331/covid-19-death-rate-drops-still-deadly-to-seniors https://www.webmd.com/lung/news/20200331/covid-19-death-rate... Literally one of the first links for "covid fatality rate", one from March 31st. They mention 3.5% average estimate from CDC/WHO with 4.8% for highest risk groups. I can't be bothered to find links to original reports and statements though. Can't really comment about the second part, as I'm not an expert, but while fractions of a percent surely are important from the organizational point of view (e.g. estimating loads in hospitals and such), I believe that in a broader context the phrase "close to seasonal flu" was used to help people relax and stop PANIC!11