Originally Posted by
DenverBrian
You get it as a severe case, meaning you're off to the hospital, where you now have a 50/50 shot of needing a ventilator - IF the overrun hospital you're at has one available - and then an 80% chance that you'll never come off the ventilator. That is a gentle way of saying you die.
But hey, YOLO. Head on out. Maybe you'll be one of the lucky ones. And if you do go positive and start shedding virus, hey, too bad for every person you come in contact with in four days across the country.
While I feel the condescending attitude was a bit much, lets discuss some of your points.
First, the concept of flattening the curve is not meant to prevent us all from getting the 'Rona, it was meant to allow us to come down with it at a rate that our heathcare system can cope with. If we all don't accept the fact that we will all
eventually get this like any normal flu, there is no alternative than to remain locked in your house for the
next 18-24 months until a vaccine is developed with questionable effectiveness. (Let alone discuss the outcome of that 18-24 months on our society...a separate conversation)
The curve has not only been flattened, but it has been obliterated. Nationally, we are on par with Germany and plenty of other decent westernized nations. With the single exception of New York City, hospitals around the US are half-empty and on the verge of bankruptcy. Locally, we don't even come off of the X-axis. My county has had about 1000 cases. According to the CDC, about 10% of the confirmed cases have been ending up in the hospitals. Lets say 100 people have hit local hospital beds with the 'Rona. My county has over 6200 hospital beds with around 400 ICU beds. So therefore 100 people with the 'Rona have been using our local hospitals spread over the past 5 weeks. All local hospitals also have more then enough PPE. It is my understanding this is the case for a vast majority of the country.
Second, there is always a risk leaving your home, driving a car, flying a plane, walking across the street, going to work, etc. We accept that risk every day. It is a personal decision on your comfort level to accept that risk. If you do not accept it, by all means, stay home.
Third, yes, YOLO. Two or more years is a non-negligible percentage of my life. Yourself and/or the government should not be allowed to imprison me against my will and take away
years of enjoyment, prosperity, social interactions, and experiences from our collectively limited time on this planet.
Go on that trip. Take precautions. Be safe. In the rare instance that you need it, the healthcare system has the ability to help you.