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Kevin Chambers, a long-time Grover, has been making a case on Blogfinger that the Corona scare is a hoax drummed up by the “main stream media.” Recently, in New Jersey, a state with high rates of Corona infection, we have been warned about an impending “spike” in viral infections and fatalities. Citizens are appropriately worried, except perhaps for citizens who are doubters, like Kevin.
Here is his latest comment (4/10/20):
“You state that the death rates continue to spike, but for whom? That is the question that should be addressed. Is the death rate spiking for the elderly, especially in nursing homes? Are they spiking for people with severe underlying health issues? Or are they spiking for normal healthy people?
“The ‘main stream media’, looking to scare the public through its fear-mongering, never seems to give these facts.”
At Blogfinger we encourage readers to express opinions, but they must adhere to our “rules” which include such concepts as no name calling, no attributing of motives, no false information, sticking to the subject, providing facts, no repetition of ideas, and others. Our rules have been re-posted on top of this home page.
Kevin’s remarks, in my opinion, are ill informed and not backed up by facts. They are insensitive to all those who became ill or died in our area, in our state and in our country. They are disrespectful to all those healthcare workers who are truly placing their lives on the line to help others.
And he doesn’t tell us how he would change public policy at this time, and especially in the face of climbing numbers of infections.
However, giving him the benefit of the doubt, here are some facts for him and all of you to consider:
NJ.com offers a headline: “NJ hospitalizations near peak.”
As of yesterday, April 9, 7,570 New Jerseyans remain hospitalized, and 1,663 are on ventilators—(NJ Department of Health.)
NJ.com reported: “The peak number of hospitalizations is expected to hit within a few days, said the Governor, with a new total of 14,400 people expected to be hospitalized.”
“The number of cases reported and deaths from the virus continue to climb. Officials said at the Thursday (April 9) press briefing that there were 3,748 new positive tests and 198 more deaths reported during the 24 hours between Wed. (April 8 and Thurs April 9) bringing the State’s number of people affected to 51,027 and raising the death toll to 1,700.
The number of infected people would be even higher if more extensive virus testing could be done. Some people who actually have symptoms report that they cannot get tested. And there is another group of those who are infected and infectious but have no symptoms yet. No one will test them.
“And, as of today, April 10, NJ has 3,627 new cases and 233 new fatalities. The total number of coronavirus cases for this morning April 10 is 54,588 and 1,932 deaths. “
And “officials on April 9 said the peak number of hospitalizations could come in two to three days.”
The New Jersey counties with the highest numbers of people who have tested positive are in Bergen, Essex, Hudson, Union, and Passaic. But just below them are Middlesex and Monmouth counties.
In Monmouth County, as of April 7, there have been 3,248 cases with 98 deaths. Neptune reports 156 positive tests, but there is no breakout for Ocean Grove. Again, where are our local officials with the OG numbers?
Asbury Park has 60 testing positive so far, Belmar has 4, Bradley Beach has 13, and Avon-by-the-Virus has 9. Ocean has 140. Long Branch 152. Marlboro 239, Freehold has 226. And Deal has 20, and Holmdel 100.
Kevin implies that the numbers are fake, and that we would have a totally different impression if only the reports were categorized by age, residence, and medical history. But to be complete, the risk categories ought to then be broken out by race, gender, socioeconomic group, geography, home conditions, community problems such as crowding, poverty, crime, sanitation, etc.
But although there are variations of risk within categories, that doesn’t change the fact that we are under assault by this virus and that it is peaking in our community as we speak. We are not talking mostly about numbers; we are talking about people. So whether or not one group or another is at greater risk, we as a civilized society must view all the risks as all our concern.
Paul Goldfinger MD. Blogfinger.net
Kevin: Your problem is semantics, and I am not going to parse words with you.
Also, you are changing subjects and going too far afield such as your taking up the media and economics.
I have allowed you to strain the limits of what we are willing to debate on Blogfinger. Our conversations with you on this are exhausted and are now over.
Please get back on the local (OG) track.
Paul, please don’t put words in my mouth. I have never said or implied that this new virus is a hoax. And I have never implied that the numbers of people with the virus are fake.
I am stating that the hysterics are not called for.
The governments numbers are that 80% of the infected population will recover.
I am implying that the numbers should not tank the economy of the country.
2 million people die on average a year no matter what health officials try to do.
Because many of the victims have cross over conduction, it is not known if that 2 million number will change.
And last, the numbers you gave does not address the age or conditions of victims who may have been victims of death even without the virus.