As small business owners and as citizens of Arizona, the US, and of the World, we’re compelled to share our views on the coronavirus (COVID-19) data in response to statements that continue to surface. The data we used for this series of articles is from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) website (cdc.gov), from the coronavirus.app website (coronavirus.app), and from the New York Times. The data is current as of April 25, 2020.
Statement 1: “The coronavirus is no more deadly than the flu”.
This statement is not true and is potentially deadly if believed.
From the current data, the coronavirus is about 72 times more deadly than the flu.
The chances of dying from the flu if you have it is 1 in 1,038.
The chances of dying from coronavirus if you have it is 1 in 14.4.
The Data:
The CDC estimates that, in 2018-2019, 35.5 million people in the US had the flu (influenza). Of the 35.5 million people, 16.5 million sought medical attention, 490,600 people were hospitalized, and 34,200 people died. [Screenshot 1 from the CDC Website]
For 2018-2019, the death rate for the flu was 34,200/35,500,000 = 0.096%. To put it differently, for every 1,038 people that had the flu, 1 person died. As such, a person’s chance of dying from the flu is 1 out of 1,038.
As of April 25, 2020, there are 2,944,581 worldwide cases of the coronavirus with a worldwide death total of 204,383. That is a death percentage of 6.94%. To put it differently, for every 14.4 people that get the coronavirus, 1 person will die. As such, a person’s chance of dying from the coronavirus is 1 out of 14.4. [Screenshot 2]
About the authors:
Dr. Laura Markison is a licensed family medical practitioner in the state of Arizona and is the founder of Mesa Naturopathic. Dr. Laura is board-certified to practice family medicine, acupuncture, botanical medicine, homeopathic medicine, chiropractic manipulation, nutrition diet consulting, and minor surgery.
Timothy Markison is a patent attorney with an electrical engineering degree. Timothy has two full-time jobs: One as a founding partner of the law firm, Garlick & Markison, and the other as the founder and CEO of Athalonz, LLC. Dr. Laura and Timothy have been married for 40 years.