Relative to other pandemics and our initial fears, Covid has a low infection fatality rate (IFR). The IFR varies between societies depending on age and obesity distributions, such that it was more severe in the US than in India. Estimates of the US initial IFR are about .5% of infected persons.
Some American persons have not complied with social distancing guidelines and some states have refused to apply restrictions. Justifications vary. Some argue that the virus is not severe enough and we are over-preventing Covid (example 1, example 2). Others argue that lockdowns violate some moral/political right or whatever (example).
If the virus were more severe such that all IFR’s were increased, would the US people have responded differently? At a 5% IFR with no change infectivity would a would a New Zealand path become likely?
[Question] Would a more deadly virus have induced greater compliance with US lockdown restrictions?
Relative to other pandemics and our initial fears, Covid has a low infection fatality rate (IFR). The IFR varies between societies depending on age and obesity distributions, such that it was more severe in the US than in India. Estimates of the US initial IFR are about .5% of infected persons.
Some American persons have not complied with social distancing guidelines and some states have refused to apply restrictions. Justifications vary. Some argue that the virus is not severe enough and we are over-preventing Covid (example 1, example 2). Others argue that lockdowns violate some moral/political right or whatever (example).
If the virus were more severe such that all IFR’s were increased, would the US people have responded differently? At a 5% IFR with no change infectivity would a would a New Zealand path become likely?