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Dr. Brownstein: Politicians Making Big Decisions Based on Fear and not Based on Data
I was at Costco yesterday and did NOT enjoy my experience. The tension was palpable everywhere. (Note: This had nothing to do with Costco.) There were shoppers wearing N95 masks. That irritated me. The masks are in short supply for front-line health care workers and there is simply no reason to wear that at Costco. COVID is not passed that easily through the air. Folks, the fear level out there is beyond reason. Unfortunately, my Governor and the rest of our lawmakers, including those in Washington, are making big decisions based on fear and not based on data. As I have been writing to you, the data is out there that COVID-19 is serious but only to a small percentage of our population—when all is said and done, less than 1%. I have seen the reports that COVID-19 may be going on for up to 18 months. Some commentators are saying that we need to quarantine for at least six months to a year to get rid of it. I SAY, HOGWASH! I have observed, on a yearly basis, that my patients begin to get less colds and other influenza-like illnesses around the spring eqionox. Some go into April and few go into May with viral infections, but they are usually fewer and fewer the further away from the spring solstice date. My four partners—Drs. Ng and Nusbaum, Jenny and Taylor all concur with this assessment. Between all of us, we have over 100 years of experience seeing this pattern. -
Dr. Brownstein: Politicians Making Big Decisions Based on Fear and not Based on Data
AdminM said:
I was at Costco yesterday and did NOT enjoy my experience. The tension was palpable everywhere. (Note: This had nothing to do with Costco.) There were shoppers wearing N95 masks. That irritated me. The masks are in short supply for front-line health care workers and there is simply no reason to wear that at Costco. COVID is not passed that easily through the air. Folks, the fear level out there is beyond reason. Unfortunately, my Governor and the rest of our lawmakers, including those in Washington, are making big decisions based on fear and not based on data. As I have been writing to you, the data is out there that COVID-19 is serious but only to a small percentage of our population—when all is said and done, less than 1%. I have seen the reports that COVID-19 may be going on for up to 18 months. Some commentators are saying that we need to quarantine for at least six months to a year to get rid of it. I SAY, HOGWASH! I have observed, on a yearly basis, that my patients begin to get less colds and other influenza-like illnesses around the spring eqionox. Some go into April and few go into May with viral infections, but they are usually fewer and fewer the further away from the spring solstice date. My four partners—Drs. Ng and Nusbaum, Jenny and Taylor all concur with this assessment. Between all of us, we have over 100 years of experience seeing this pattern.
Covid-19 is not the flu - even though it may be closely related - so it may act differently. I keep reading references to warmer weather leading to a drop in infections. I wouldn't rely on that - the virus arrived in Australia when temperatures in some places were soaring to 40C-50C (122F) and it is still spreading. Worldwide, there have been many cases in countries with year-round hot climates.
We have yet to see any cases of influenza, and summer has just officially finished in Australia. Comparing it to the annual flu season seems pointless
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Dr. Brownstein: Politicians Making Big Decisions Based on Fear and not Based on Data
Did I hear, that this spring decline in our northern hemisphere also corresponds to it showing up in the southern hemisphere? Will it continue in the south and return back here next winter, maybe be weaker then? It was interesting to note you noting the optimistic idea that viruses generally decline in virulence and severity over time, all on their own? Makes sense to my thinking and experience. I'll look for it, but did you give any resource or study that supports this? Thanks.
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Dr. Brownstein: Politicians Making Big Decisions Based on Fear and not Based on Data
AdminM said:
I was at Costco yesterday and did NOT enjoy my experience. The tension was palpable everywhere. (Note: This had nothing to do with Costco.) There were shoppers wearing N95 masks. That irritated me. The masks are in short supply for front-line health care workers and there is simply no reason to wear that at Costco. COVID is not passed that easily through the air. Folks, the fear level out there is beyond reason. Unfortunately, my Governor and the rest of our lawmakers, including those in Washington, are making big decisions based on fear and not based on data. As I have been writing to you, the data is out there that COVID-19 is serious but only to a small percentage of our population—when all is said and done, less than 1%. I have seen the reports that COVID-19 may be going on for up to 18 months. Some commentators are saying that we need to quarantine for at least six months to a year to get rid of it. I SAY, HOGWASH! I have observed, on a yearly basis, that my patients begin to get less colds and other influenza-like illnesses around the spring eqionox. Some go into April and few go into May with viral infections, but they are usually fewer and fewer the further away from the spring solstice date. My four partners—Drs. Ng and Nusbaum, Jenny and Taylor all concur with this assessment. Between all of us, we have over 100 years of experience seeing this pattern.
While I see the logic as to what you are saying; it would only bode true if COVID was only affecting areas that are having winter right now. Winter months seem to see a rise in flu outbreaks. However, this is global; affecting both cold and hot clients at the same time.