I wanted to double down on my last post about the difference in high risk vs low risk groups.
Straight from the CDC report…
They estimate that 35% of people with the virus had no symptoms. Adjusting the numbers with that in mind, let’s look at the CDC estimated “Fatality Ratio” for people under 50 years of age.
The CDC estimated “Fatality Ratio” for people under 50 years of age is .0325%. That’s three one-hundreth’s of a percent.
Why did I select that group to highlight? Because the under 50 age group (over 210 million people) makes up 65% of the America population, and according to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, people between the ages of 16 to 55 (over 120 million people) make up over 75% of the American workforce.
As has been my conclusion for a long time now, the reaction to the virus has been rooted in nothing but fear. The mandated public policy which created worldwide devastation in many parts of life (economy, medical treatment, food supply lines, etc) in a matter of weeks was completely unnecessary. Public health recommendations should have focused on the high risk groups, while the low risks groups that make up the vast majority of the American workforce went about their lives.
Businesses, schools and every other facet of life could have easily made exceptions for high risk people with simple changes to internal policies.
More confidently than ever, I remain firmly on the side of open everything. Yes, I mean sporting events, concerts…everything!
If you are in a high risk group, especially people over 65 or those with certain chronic conditions (especially overlapping chronic conditions), I am not talking to you. Do you have a right to go about your life as you see fit? Absolutely. Is it a good idea? No, it’s not. The reality is people in high risk groups do not have the luxury to live their lives in a normal way. Yes, this stinks. I do not envy you at all.
But for the majority of the American population and the vast majority of the American workforce – live your life. You have nothing to fear. If you are curious on the CDC estimated “Fatality Ratio” for all age groups, adjusted for the 35% with no symptoms, here you go:
Age 0-49 .0325%
Age 50-64 .13%
Age 65+ .845%
Full CDC report here.