Some Scary, Costly, Ominous Thoughts As We Go Forward
What is a life really worth? Not a question we think about very often, if at all. But right now, 330 million Americans are facing down that very real question.
Let’s assume:
(1) The coronavirus is just a flu, certainly a “bad one” but not as bad as 1918.
(2) Our current extreme efforts will contain our losses now and we will be done.
If either of these assumptions fail, then we need to rethink later.
Deaths in the United States of America from “the (seasonal) flu” vary quite a bit but general experience is about 20,000 to 60,000+ each year, maybe more, maybe less. Schools and churches and malls stay open, restaurants and sports venues stay open, most people show up and do their jobs just like usual, we travel freely across our cities and around the world, and we always take care of those who fall ill for any reason. And, yes, we mourn those who die from any cause … such as 480,000 from smoking, 88,000 from alcohol, 67,000 from drug overdoses, and who knows how many more from medication side effects, missed diagnoses, or prescription errors – how many of these loved ones could still be alive if we just … ?
As a rising toll, coronavirus cases number of 1,300,000+ – in the world. COVID-19 deaths number over 71,000+ – in the world. Many statistical graphs show a continuing increase right now, so we’re not sure how high the final totals will be, across the planet and here at home.
For the sake of discussion, let’s assume that our losses are far more extreme than “just the flu,” with perhaps 200,000 Americans dying this year from coronavirus. Maybe less, maybe more. At present, our current death count has finally climbed to … 9,700+.
But here’s the true cost in that situation, namely assuming a total of 200,000 American deaths:
6 trillion dollars in “government aid” recently approved – and much more planned …
that’s 30 million dollars for each person dying.
Over 100 billion dollars lost in airline revenues – and much higher losses to come …
that’s half-a-million dollars for each person dying.
Over 225 billion dollars lost in restaurant revenues – even more “on the menu” …
That’s 1.1 million dollars for each person dying.
These numbers are just a tiny slice of the very tip-top of the iceberg in real dollar costs that our society is already suffering for each American life potentially “lost” to coronavirus, as a result of the severe civil restrictions imposed on our society, where millions cower in their homes, fearful of going out and “getting sick.” Losses in the rest of the world? Staggering.
Many factors about this novel coronavirus are simply unknown, misunderstood, or – worse – misrepresented. Worldwide deaths have finally topped 71,000 people. But consider … each year, some 300,000 to 500,000 souls are slaughtered by “the flu” – across the world.
What we do know is that descriptions of risk factors, symptoms, and person-to-person transmission sound strikingly similar for “the flu” and for COVID-19. Virus illnesses differ in who dies, but most smite down the elderly and those with compromising diseases. States aren’t required to report flu diagnoses, so it’s likely that adult deaths with flu go under-reported.
What about … the H1N1 “swine” flu epidemic of 2009? CDC estimated 60+ million Americans were infected, with some 12,000+ deaths. Or … the H3N2 “Hong Kong” flu of 1968? An estimated 100,000 (mostly older) Americans died. How many business were shuttered? How many flights were canceled? How many schools and churches were closed? How many were ordered to stay-at-home? How many sports seasons and major events were quashed?
Each year, “the flu” – with up to 60,000 American deaths – costs us an estimated $10.4 billion in direct medical expenses, another $16.3 billion in lost earnings annually. Employees miss about 17 million workdays due to flu, which costs an estimated $7 billion a year in sick days and lost productivity. Present COVID-19 death numbers of 9,700+ … could climb to 200,000? Or not? With our 24/7 very alarming “news” coverage, there is a disconnect between what we die from and how much coverage these causes get in the media. Fear factor? Look around … you decide.
My bottom line is pretty simple: all reasonable precautions (including quarantine of all those showing symptoms) that apply to every flu season are encouraged and indicated; current reliable medical information indicates that panic, hysteria, and fear are not. Will unsuspected spread still occur? Of course – but do those cases the warrant full dismantling of the American way of life?
Your major defense against these unseen enemies is … good health. Your immune system is the barrier reducing risks for suffering and death. Nutrition is the single greatest factor for your immune system. Essential minerals are lacking in “fast foods” and “ultra-processed foods,” often containing higher levels of grains that can impair mineral absorption. One such essential micronutrient is zinc. Zinc deficiency is prominent in diseases of aging and in illnesses associated with immune compromise. Does that matter? Those who value my experience (graduate studies in immunology starting in 1968, research in immunology 1967 – 1970, master’s degree in nutritional medicine in 1985, acclaimed expertise in integrative medicine since 1980, with advanced diagnosis and treatment of nutritional deficiencies, parasites, yeast, and Deep Blood Fungus) will want to refer to https://tinyurl.com/ud33ulq, to compare the striking similarity of zinc deficiency symptoms to those of COVID-19. Fasten your seatbelt.
It’s “The Law”!
Government orders to stay-at-home? Or to shelter-in-place? To shutter businesses? To severely restrict travel? To dictate limits on assemblies of all kinds?
Nope! It’s “The Law of Unintended Consequences”: namely, actions of people – and especially of government – always have effects that are unanticipated or unintended. Economists and other social scientists have heeded its power for centuries; for just as long, politicians and popular opinion have largely ignored it. Whether anyone believes that government actions comparable to “war powers” are a cause of our new economic and societal chaos is irrelevant … just observe what is worsening, every single day. Not the virus deaths. The economic decay.
American and worldwide stock and bond markets have collapsed, with dozens of trillions of dollars in value simply evaporating … including retirement savings and economic stability of companies large and small. Bankruptcies pending. In just 2 recent weeks, 10 million Americans have applied for jobless assistance. If everything were suddenly “okay,” would these jobs be available tomorrow? Could each of us simply venture out to resume the usual pace of our lives?
Students will eventually return to schools. Sports and entertainment venues will resume to some degree – for people who have funds for tickets. Travel will restart, certainly with shrunken companies. Life will go on … but our tomorrow might be but an illusory shadow of our earlier society – dependence on government programs will grow, as will widening submission to edicts from “our” authorities. And we are left with faint echoes of Patrick Henry’s cries for liberty.
|
John Parks Trowbridge M. D., FACAM
Marquis Who’sWho Top Doctor in
Advanced Medicine
Marquis Who’sWho Lifetime Achievement Award
|
Get more information right now: Download our two books on
Stem Cells from our website … www.healthCHOICESnow.com.
Failure is not an Option and
Stem Cell Frauds and Hopes
And we invite you to enjoy our Stem Cell videos as well. Be sure
to share our unique treatment program with your friends and family. |
|
![[Most Recent Quotes from www.kitco.com]](http://www.kitconet.com/images/sp_en_6.gif)
Reply With Quote
Originally Posted by BrewTech
