Surge Summary: Hopeful developments in the battle against coronavirus are emerging, including a possible new antibody test and a new model predicting COVID-19 deaths. This could mean the false choice between saving victims and saving the economy may not long remain. If the economy continues in lockdown phase, the consequences of that situation may exceed those of the health threat.
by Gary Bauer
A new antibody test [was] being launched [Monday] in Massachusetts that could be hugely important if it can be ramped up quickly. Initially, the tests will be administered to hospital staff to determine which workers may have immunity.
But if enough testing can be done, it could help others know when it is safe for them to return to work. One company is attempting to develop an at-home test that utilizes your smartphone.
In related news, President Trump announced yesterday that 1.67 million Americans have now been tested for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has updated its Covid-19 model based on “a massive infusion of new data.” The estimated death toll is now roughly 82,000, with a range of 49,000 to 136,000. Yesterday, the president acknowledged that the model, at least in terms of hospital bed demand, had been wrong.
Here’s my concern: The number of people who will be economically destroyed by the continued lockdown may far exceed any additional coronavirus casualties. The media are trying to present a false choice between the health of the American people and the health of the economy. That’s a false choice.
Sadly, I know of people who have committed suicide from the despair of the lockdown. You also run the risk of the current unprecedented economic dislocation snowballing into a total collapse.
As economist Stephen Moore put it, “At some point soon, we’re going to have to make some real decisions about what kind of a calamity we are causing through this lockdown of our economy.” That has to be weighed, too.
To be clear, if anything like a depression or a total economic meltdown happens, you won’t be able to save coronavirus patients because our medical system will be operating in the “dark ages.” We can’t just print money without consequences.
The views here are those of the author and not necessarily Daily Surge.
Originally posted here.
Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released; https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001055103/
Gary Lee Bauer is an American politician and activist, who served in the Reagan administration. He later became president of the Family Research Council and a senior vice president of Focus on the Family. In 2000, he participated in the Republican presidential contest.
Surge Summary: Hopeful developments in the battle against coronavirus are emerging, including a possible new antibody test and a new model predicting COVID-19 deaths. This could mean the false choice between saving victims and saving the economy may not long remain. If the economy continues in lockdown phase, the consequences of that situation may exceed those of the health threat.
by Gary BauerA new antibody test [was] being launched [Monday] in Massachusetts that could be hugely important if it can be ramped up quickly. Initially, the tests will be administered to hospital staff to determine which workers may have immunity.
But if enough testing can be done, it could help others know when it is safe for them to return to work. One company is attempting to develop an at-home test that utilizes your smartphone.
In related news, President Trump announced yesterday that 1.67 million Americans have now been tested for the coronavirus.
Meanwhile, the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has updated its Covid-19 model based on “a massive infusion of new data.” The estimated death toll is now roughly 82,000, with a range of 49,000 to 136,000. Yesterday, the president acknowledged that the model, at least in terms of hospital bed demand, had been wrong.
Here’s my concern: The number of people who will be economically destroyed by the continued lockdown may far exceed any additional coronavirus casualties. The media are trying to present a false choice between the health of the American people and the health of the economy. That’s a false choice.Sadly, I know of people who have committed suicide from the despair of the lockdown. You also run the risk of the current unprecedented economic dislocation snowballing into a total collapse.
As economist Stephen Moore put it, “At some point soon, we’re going to have to make some real decisions about what kind of a calamity we are causing through this lockdown of our economy.” That has to be weighed, too.
To be clear, if anything like a depression or a total economic meltdown happens, you won’t be able to save coronavirus patients because our medical system will be operating in the “dark ages.” We can’t just print money without consequences.
The views here are those of the author and not necessarily Daily Surge.
Originally posted here.Image: U.S. Air Force photo by Senior Airman Patrick S. Ciccarone/Released; https://www.airforcemedicine.af.mil/News/Photos/igphoto/2001055103/
Gary Lee Bauer is an American politician and activist, who served in the Reagan administration. He later became president of the Family Research Council and a senior vice president of Focus on the Family. In 2000, he participated in the Republican presidential contest.
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