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https://www.zerohedge.com/health/why-didnt-1958-1918-pandemics-destroy-economy-hint-its-lockdowns [www zerohedge com] /via @jeffcliff@shitposter.club
Tyler Durden argues that lockdowns’ efficacy is unproven, but that is false. Remembering that the purpose of the lockdowns is to slow the virus’ spread, not to stop it, any unbiased look at infection rates and lockdowns will show plainly that they work.
As for the economic damage, it is true that we need to start deciding what a reopened economy will look like and then build that. And, yes, I agree that a deep and prolonged economic downturn will itself lead to the deaths of many.
When we see 600 people infected at a single meat processing plant, it is clear that reopening without significant workplace restructuring (and that includes both sick pay and enforceable rights to use it, plus distancing requirements) is merely going to speed up the infections.
In the US, 97,940 people are recorded as having died due to #COVID-19 in under six months. While that is only 0.02% of the US population, let’s compare it to some significant events which transformed our nation:
Viet Nam war: 58,000 US military members died over more than a decade.
2001-09-11 terror attacks: 3,000 people died in one day.