This is in regards to the new COVID-19 strains. Newscasters have been reporting that new COVID strains discovered in the UK, South Africa and elsewhere are being spread across the world. They report that these new strains are no more deadly than the original strain. It’s good that they report the truth. However, it’s sad that they don’t tell the whole truth.
The whole truth is that, even though the new strains are no deadlier than the original, what they are saying is not the full truth.
If 100,000 people are to catch the original virus and, say, that 1% of those contracting the disease die, then 1,000 people will die.
Then let’s say that the new virus, being 70% more easily contracted, leaves 170,000 people with the disease and only 1% die — that leaves 1,700 people dead. This makes the new strains 70% more lethal.
The only way to correct this flaw is that we all participate more fully with CDC guidelines: mask wearing, hand washing, social distancing and not gathering in crowds.
I wish that when facts about COVID-19 are reported, reporters would give us the whole truth.
Peter P. Sirois
Madison
Send questions/comments to the editors.
Success. Please wait for the page to reload. If the page does not reload within 5 seconds, please refresh the page.
Enter your email and password to access comments.
Hi, to comment on stories you must . This profile is in addition to your subscription and website login.
Already have a commenting profile? .
Invalid username/password.
Please check your email to confirm and complete your registration.
Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.
Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.