So COVID-skeptical conservatives are abuzz about the CDC finding that nearly all COVID deaths involved co-morbidities, with only 6% of deaths ascribed to COVID alone. So COVID is no big deal, right?
The first thing to note is that “co-morbidities” ≠ “preexisting conditions.”
The first thing to note is that “co-morbidities” ≠ “preexisting conditions.”
Many people who died because of COVID were vulnerable, yes, whether because of age or conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure.
Many also developed serious co-morbidities—like pneumonia—because they got COVID. That’s what viruses do.
Many also developed serious co-morbidities—like pneumonia—because they got COVID. That’s what viruses do.
Second, official causes of death aside, the bottom line is that, since March, over 200,000 people have died who, going by death rates in recent years, ought to be alive.
For the vast majority of them, COVID was the difference between life and death.
sciencealert.com/2020-has-kille…
For the vast majority of them, COVID was the difference between life and death.
sciencealert.com/2020-has-kille…
More detail, including analysis by region. Note that while excess deaths nationally peaked in April—when it was super bad in the Northeast—in some places it’s peaking now, or still rising.)
nytimes.com/interactive/20…
nytimes.com/interactive/20…
Good explainer on what the CDC 6% COVID death rate *really* means and how it’s been wildly distorted
