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People who have been spreading false information during this pandemic are now claiming that they just want evidence-based policy. But they all appear to base their opinion on a false dichotomy of 'Covid deaths vs Other Deaths & Economic damage'
Thread why it's not that simple... https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1349730146488467457
Thread why it's not that simple... https://twitter.com/JuliaHB1/status/1349730146488467457
First let's be honest about what they want to do instead of the suppression strategy. They want a pandemic that keeps on growing. So what does that give you?
More covid deaths
More other deaths as healthcare is rationed
Chaotic economic shutdown as people stop going out
More covid deathsMore other deaths as healthcare is rationedChaotic economic shutdown as people stop going out
Severe mental health toll, not just on healthcare workers but the general population. Images of people dying in corridors aren't conducive to good mental healthParents remove their kids from school due to riskPeople refuse to work due to risk
Now let's look at the suppression strategy, what do you get?
Covid deaths, but fewer than letting the virus run
Lesser load on healthcare system so fewer knock-on deaths as healthcare doesn't have to be rationed
Controlled, although severe, economic shutdown & support
Covid deaths, but fewer than letting the virus runLesser load on healthcare system so fewer knock-on deaths as healthcare doesn't have to be rationedControlled, although severe, economic shutdown & support
Impact on mental health due to restrictions on movement, meeting friends & family etcThe truth is that all of the worst side-effects of lockdown - and they are severe - happen anyway if you leave the pandemic uncontrolled. It is not a binary choice as Julia et al claim.
Now, armed with the real picture, ask yourself - is it any surprise that major countries the world over are going with the suppression strategy?
Is it really likely that a random Talk Radio host who has pushed all kinds of false information for months is suddenly on the money?
Is it really likely that a random Talk Radio host who has pushed all kinds of false information for months is suddenly on the money?
The truth is that there is no easy way through this. There's no silver bullet, and there's no way we get out of it without horrible stuff happening. The only realistic policy though is to try to tread a path down the middle, which is what the govt are trying to do.
