Numbers, statistics, and their interpretation are a tricky thing...I remember when I was first diagnosed with Crohn’s disease 12 years ago and told I’d need to be on an immunosuppressant “for life” I started reading up on side effects. Turns out TNA-alpha inhibitors like the one I’m on DOUBLE my chances of getting blood-born cancer (lymphoma). Sounds scary right? Until you unpack it and realize that a normal, healthy male has a 1 in 50,000 chance of acquiring lymphoma in their lifetime. Which means my odds are 1 in 25,000. I like those odds especially given that the drug allows me to live an almost normal, mostly symptom free life.
Covid is the same way - I’m sort of with @iptman in that, as we continue testing more and more people more quickly, we will certainly see an accelerated and increasing number of positive cases. What we AREN’T seeing is an increase in hospitalizations and deaths that correlate to the increase in positive cases. As such, the cases keep rising, but the mortality rate keeps dropping. The odds keep looking better and better despite more and more people catching and spreading the disease.
That said - I’m not going to run around maskless or take unnecessary risks (ie: go out to a bar or a concert) anytime soon. I’ll wear a mask because frankly, it’s literally barely an inconvenience and mildly uncomfortable, so if it is any benefit at all to me or those around me - why not? Wearing a mask while I’m in a store or somewhere crowded is a non-issue in my eyes We don’t wear masks at family gatherings but we do keep hugging to a minimum and try to keep our distance. That said, the kid is back at daycare now so if anyone will be the plague bearer to unleash it in my household, it’ll be her.
In short - risk mitigation as best I can, while trying to balance that with becoming a complete recluse and never leaving my house.
Covid is the same way - I’m sort of with @iptman in that, as we continue testing more and more people more quickly, we will certainly see an accelerated and increasing number of positive cases. What we AREN’T seeing is an increase in hospitalizations and deaths that correlate to the increase in positive cases. As such, the cases keep rising, but the mortality rate keeps dropping. The odds keep looking better and better despite more and more people catching and spreading the disease.
That said - I’m not going to run around maskless or take unnecessary risks (ie: go out to a bar or a concert) anytime soon. I’ll wear a mask because frankly, it’s literally barely an inconvenience and mildly uncomfortable, so if it is any benefit at all to me or those around me - why not? Wearing a mask while I’m in a store or somewhere crowded is a non-issue in my eyes We don’t wear masks at family gatherings but we do keep hugging to a minimum and try to keep our distance. That said, the kid is back at daycare now so if anyone will be the plague bearer to unleash it in my household, it’ll be her.
In short - risk mitigation as best I can, while trying to balance that with becoming a complete recluse and never leaving my house.