It's very scary here Jim, although in Northern Ireland we haven't experienced the effects as badly as on the U.K mainland where death figures are horrendous
U.K statistics
Confirmed 65,077
Recovered ?
Deaths 7,978
It may be that the 'peak' is imminent,
Many of us know folks who have been stricken down with this virus or at least directly affected by it....it knows no boundaries and has no respect
Without being too dramatic, I don't think life as we know it will ever be the same again
Here are the numbers for the annual seasonal [regular] flu-related deaths for just England (not Britain/UK):
2014/15: 28,330
2015/16: 11,875
2016/17: 18,009
2017/18: 24,408
Here are the numbers for the annual seasonal [regular] flu-related deaths in the USA:
2014/15: 51,000
2015/16: 23,000
2016/17: 38,000
2017/18: 61,000
Perhaps I'm missing something here Max? What point were you hoping to make with this comparison?
I think Conrad's question, was relative... i.e., that "comparo between England, and the USA" is the point.
That said, I have NEVER had a flu shot, and won't..[...]
Perhaps I'm missing something here Max? What point were you hoping to make with this comparison?
It helps to put it into perspective, because many people tend to forget how many die from the normal "flu" every year; year after year after year. And those who die are typically the same as with COVID19, those with per-existing health conditions (and I am in that category, unfortunately). Is is also interesting to note the considerable variation year to year (2017/18 was almost triple 2015/16, for example). Although there is a long way to go with COVID19, we (USA) still haven't even passed the number of flu deaths in 2014, much less last year. And we have successfully prevented overwhelming the health system, which is good. I have no doubt it will exceed last year's flu, however, probably by a lot (because this is a novel coronavirus, we have near zero natural immunity, no proven treatment yet, and no vaccine yet).
Of course, we also don't know the number of "regular" flu deaths for 2019/2020 (flu season isn't really completely over yet). It will be interesting to see what those numbers are, or if any got moved into the COVID19 category in error (and how would we even know, since my understanding is that only a fraction of claimed COVID19-related deaths were actually tested), or vice-versa. Current preliminary estimates are between 24,000 and 62,000 (for the USA). I had the normal "flu" in 2008 and 2015, and I am vaccinated every year (for, I think, at least the last 20 years).
Since the flu season is now ending, that will be an additional burden off all nations' health systems, which is more good news. It is a good time to start easing off on "lockdown" to prevent the economy from more extreme damage. Those in higher risk groups, unfortunately, will still have to take great precautions; possibly for a very long time, only ending when an effective treatment and/or vaccine is available. I have my fingers crossed, because since I have asthma and other issues, I am reasonably scared of what would happen if I get infected.
I think Conrad's question, was relative... i.e., that "comparo between England, and the USA" is the point.. seeing as the USA pretty much covers over the complete map of Europe, area wise..
That said, I have NEVER had a flu shot, and won't.. back in '70's (iirc), when the swine? flu hit here in Ohio, I used to car pool to work with a guy that lived near me. He was a vegatarian, and a few years older than me.. very "picky" eater.. he got the flu shot at work, and the next day, when I went to pick him up, he opened the door and told me.. he was BLIND... totally lost his eyesight, and was that way for 8 weeks.. I would go take him food,(and food for his cats) and to doctors visits.. really made me think.
It really doesn't make any difference to me if they open or not though. I won't start visiting places again like normal until they have a vaccine for the virus. Definitely won't attend any large groups or rides or travel on public transportation like airlines until a vaccine is out.
actually, up here in Ohio, we have found that things like TP and such, have gradually returned to the stores, as the "hoarders" have seemed to reached "maximum capacity" on their stock pile storage space..
I can picture closets, garages, and attics full of TP to fight the virus.
speaking of closets.. wee turned our linen closet into our wine bottle storage.. no shortage of that now.. and a wise use of space.. I'm off to check the "supply" and freshness... again...
We celebrated our 43 wedding anniversary last week, pandemic style.