but it does not account for the number of associated hospitalizations and deaths
Hospitalizations are up because of panic. Every time someone sneezes these days, they rush to the ER. Hospitals, loathe to turn anyone symptomatic away for fear of a lawsuit, will fill their inpatient wards to capacity and then cry to the press that they are at capacity due to COVID.
As for deaths, COVID is being over-reported. As I stated previously, in previous years, flu wasn't typically listed as a contributing cause of death because without a virus-specific test (which haven't been administered in previous years), it would have been speculation. -- see below:
John Hopkins says,
" In the U.S., for Oct. 1, 2019–Apr. 4, 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there were 39 million to 56 million cases of flu. (The CDC does not know the exact number because the flu is not a reportable disease in most parts of the U.S.) "
However, the CDC recently released figures confirming that if you are under 70 and not suffering from a secondary medical condition, the percentage of those surviving a COVID infection are 99.5%, similar to seasonal influenza.
Mathematically-speaking, you are at no greater risk from COVID than you are from seasonal influenza. However, to date, I can't recall where a global emergency and draconian lock down measures have been introduced for a seasonal flu.
We have given political clout to persons who, in previous years, issued bulletins and directives that everyone effectively ignored. Now, drunk on their new power to dictate policy, we are seeing the consequences of unconstrained fear-mongering.
This isn't a conspiracy. A conspiracy would imply that this was planned. I don't believe it was. This is merely a perfect storm of media hype, public hysteria, and opportunistic politicians using human nature to advance their power bases. Humans will often allow themselves to be controlled just by our natures. No conspiracy is required.
What worries me most is that, now empowered to destroy the economy, agencies who previously could only issue advice will continue to wreak havoc on the nation's businesses for every future flu season in the name of 'public safety'.
