Something I don't think is appreciated is the extent to which current coronavirus spread in the US is occurring at a medium-high level in many places, as opposed to a super-high level in some places.
At the peak in NYC, an estimated 11% of people had an active COVID infection!
At the peak in NYC, an estimated 11% of people had an active COVID infection!
Other places were also VERY high. 5% were simultaneously infected in New Orleans, Boston and Detroit at their peaks.
When this many people are sick at once, you really notice it. Why? Friends and family get it. You may have to self-quarantine, etc.
covid19-projections.com/us-ny-new-york…
When this many people are sick at once, you really notice it. Why? Friends and family get it. You may have to self-quarantine, etc.
covid19-projections.com/us-ny-new-york…
By contrast, a sample of the number of people currently infected in some of the hotspots that are getting media attention today: 0.6% (Georgia), 0.7% (Los Angeles), 0.6% (Arizona), 0.4% (North Carolina), 0.4% (Dallas), 0.4% (Florida), 0.2% (Utah).
These numbers are still potentially quite worrying if sustained and/or growing over a long period of time. Also, even in a lot of places where cases have declined, there's still a high background level of transmission. Rhode Island is at 2.1% currently infected, for instance.
But there's a potential disconnect between constant media discussion about "spikes", and the fact that in an area where e.g. 0.5% (but growing) of people are currently infected—many of whom don't get tested and don't know it—you may not personally know people who have it.
