MIT study says lockdown of seniors would work best Rather than ordering everybody to shelter in place, policymakers confronting the COVID-19 pandemic would get better results from keeping older folks at home. That’s the conclusion from a new MIT study that looks at the public health and economic impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. MIT economists found the universal lockdown policies adopted by a majority of states in the U.S. can still result in a 1.83% rate of fatalities in the adult population while reducing the yearly gross domestic product by a staggering 24.3%. However, the researchers say targeted policies with strict social-distancing restrictions on the most vulnerable – typically those older than 65 – would bring the fatality rate to nearly 1% while reducing the harm on the economy to 12.8% of GDP. “Differential lockdowns on groups with differential risks can reduce both the number of lives lost and the economic damages significantly,’’ the study says. “We also find that the majority of these gains can be achieved with a simple targeted policy that applies an aggressive lockdown on the oldest group and treats the rest uniformly.’’
You lost me at mit "ECONOMISTS". Math equations used to determine human society and the moving, ever changing conditions and the understanding of what we know about the virus, medically speaking of course. What I have been tuned into all along is the percent of world wide mild cases category ( according the John Hopkins U postings and the data available on WorldOmeter; Two months ago = 85 percent mild cases. Recently = 98 percent mild cases. I see the trend continuing as more info is discovered.
I clearly understand the risk to seniors; however, who are they catching the virus from? Therein lies the problem to me.
They're catching it from their relatives that are happy to see them. They're catching it from "frontliners" that sideline as caregivers. They're catching it from places they are going to catch it from, no matter what. What can be done? Warn the public that their "Nana" or "Papa" could die from their visit, that seniors are at the highest risk of death from everything in life, and then let the people decide. This is essentially a new "seat belt" law where only the person wearing the seat belt is affected. People choose how they are going to die everyday and this COVID situation should be no different.
Yesterday my barber did a house call for me, made my wifey happy Today man that removes worts moles and tattoos is coming. Who really needs to go out when most will make house calls? Had 14 moles and one wort removed. Just need about 50 more moles removed and I will look 50 years younger. This guy said he would do a house call for any one. Just call for an appointment. Mr. Omar Edjer 09058000035. For a house call hair cut call Roger @ 09559786368
Two new COVID cases from the returning OFWs that came in on the 2Go Ship, they did not say where they are currently staying or where they were from. Now we have to hope they complied with the quarantine they were under. Did not mention family members or how many. Also, have to wonder how many 'well intentioned' people paid them a personal visit, against the quarantine rules, to wish them a happy homecoming. We wait for the next power move from the Governor on this, A total of 6 whole cases in Negros Oriental now. The Province as we know it will cease to exist. The sky is falling. Wife went to Bank, had to show old Quarantine Pass, they did not care that it wasn't valid on Friday. The thug squad from the city is pulling over bikers riding with flip flops. It is all about power. Sad to see it come to this.
And seatbelts are mandatory in most countries, enforced by fines. Governments have long established they have a right to force you to do things in the name of public/personal safety. People's personal health doesn't just effect themselves; in modern countries those that do not have the financial ability to pay for their own healthcare are a burden to the taxpayers. It is even more true with COVID-19 since the people at the highest risk (the elderly and disabled) are likely already a burden to society...in the US this would be through Medicare and Medicaid. Personally I think this quarantine should only be a "suggestion" and everyone should be able to go out if they want...but if they catch COVID-19 while doing so they should not be able to use taxpayer money/programs for treatment. (Note: I feel the same about many other self inflicted illnesses/diseases, such as obesity, drinking, smoking, etc related diseases.) In the Philippines it doesn't really matter, I think everyone should be able to go out here. If you can't pay you will just die at the steps of the hospital. You won't be a burden to anyone but your family.
My point exactly. How can you tell someone to wear a seat belt and make it mandatory, despite a private company (insurance, mandatory), having to foot the bill, but allow smoking, which kills far more people (or so they tell us) and has a much greater chance of the public having to fund the recovery? It doesn't make sense. Governments are just exerting power where they feel they can get away with it. If all of the over 59s turned up at the mall in Dumaguete and decided to go shopping despite the protestations of security, we'd quickly see that the government will back off when the cost of enforcement (both monetary and public sentiment) is too high. Businesses don't have a choice but to comply. ABS-CBN is proof of that here.
