Some argue that there's *only* a 1% mortality rate for COVID-19, and so there's no point in trying to save lives by attempting mitigation or getting a vaccine. Let's assume the 1% value is true.... A thread

(1) Imagine 1 out of every 100 people you know dying. 1 person alone is too much.
(2) Whatever the mortality rate is, doesn't take into account long-term effects on those who had more severe disease and survived.

(3) Let's look back at history. 25% of people infected with poliovirus had acute flu-like symptoms. Only 0.5% experienced some form of paralysis, usually in the extremities. This was devastating for families across the globe. But wait, how did we get rid of polio?

(4) The short answer is we haven't (yet). But most regions, including the U.S., are polio-free due to the use of vaccines. The CDC estimates that these vaccines and eradication efforts prevented 17 million people from paralysis.

(5) What about the regions that still have poliovirus transmission? The plan is to use low-risk vaccines to protect high-risk communities, contain storage of viruses, surveillance for cases, be prepared for outbreaks. Community perception of these public efforts is crucial.

(6) For SARS-CoV-2, public perception and info matters just the same. It is hard to fight this battle divided on the scientific facts, prevention, and treatment.

(7) If the mortality rate of COVID-19 is 1%, if everyone in the U.S. got infected, that may mean 3 million deaths. Remind anyone who uses this estimate to say that wearing masks or avoiding large events is a *hoax*. Remind them that already 150,000 Americans have died THIS YEAR!