LIES, DAMN LIES AND STATISTICS

The lack of sensible articles and information is disappointing when we all are looking for trusted resources to help keep us safe and healthy during this crisis.  Politicising the issues, the profiteering and panic are not helping anyone.  

We will get through this and I hope this blog is serving you well.  

Some of you have asked which sites I am sourcing as I endeavour to base these articles on the most reliable and accurate data and information.  Here are some excellent sites I can recommend.  Do not hesitate to inform me of ones you are finding particularly helpful.  

Just click on the titles that are centred:

1. Coronavirus Update 

Worldometer is run by an international team of developers, researchers, and volunteers with the goal of making world statistics available in a thought-provoking and time relevant format to a wide audience around the world. Worldometer is owned by Dadax, an independent company. We have no political, governmental, or corporate affiliation.

Trusted Authority

Worldometer was voted as one of the best free reference websites by the American Library Association (ALA), the oldest and largest library association in the world.

We have licensed our counters at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable Development (Rio+20), to BBC News, and to the U2 concert, among others.

Worldometer is cited as a source in over 10,000 published books, in more than 6,000 professional journal articles, and in over 1000 Wikipedia pages.

2. Center for Systems Science and Engineering 

This is the Johns Hopkins site and features an interactive map documenting the case activity throughout the world.

3. Dr John Campbell YouTubes

Dr Campbell is a qualified medical educator who resides in the UK.  His charming and humble approach is admirable.  He breaks down the basics in easy-to-understand-and-apply ways.  

And here is a new one that has come to my attention today:

4. Global Health Security Index

This innovative and interactive world map, covers the key issues, including comparing and evaluating national preventative and management measures.  

The Global Health Security Index was "developed with guidance from an international panel of experts from 13 countries, with research by the Economist Intelligence Unit," The Washington Post reported last year. "More than 100 researchers spent a year collecting and validating publicly available data.”

I will continue to update the key statistics twice a day and feature practical information for your benefit.  Please stay safe, observe your national restrictions to the letter, wash your hands properly and stay home.  This is NOT a drill!

Necessity of Standard, Cumulative Global Statistics

The world seems to be in a 'blame someone mode'.  We must get real about the developments and implications of COVID-19 for our day-to-day lives. 

A roadblock is uncovering the facts during this time.  I've been following the various sources and reports about COVID-19 since mid-January and offer here some overview stats to consider as offering hope.

Stats of Progress of COVID-19

Estimates from the progress of the virus to date indicate that: 

• 30% - Global infection - (up to, not more than) of the world population could be infected as it progresses.  
• 81% - Mild Cases - of those infected, will contract a mild case.  Without the diagnostic test, the infection could seem just 'the flu'.  
• 10% to 14% - Critical cases - of those infected are at risk to ultimately be infected with a serious form of the virus.  
• 7% - Death rate - out of this population of critical cases result in death.
• 
  

As the disease develops, some countries continue to work independently (believing they know best how to manage the disease).  Some are not forthcoming of the existence of the virus for political or commercial reasons.  


However, sharing information now is critical so the health providers the world relies upon are forewarned and forearmed.  Having and organising a complete picture of observations of symptoms and behaviours and accurate statistics would be invaluable.  

Reporting Bodies

There are credible reporting bodies collaborating and sharing information as it is available, but no ONE source for the global developments.  Some good resources are: 

• The Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
• 
  
• Johns Hopkins Research Centre
• 
  
• The Lancet in the UK
• 
  
• The World Health Organisation

Global Reporting Metrics

A global standard for metrics has not been established for COVID-19, yet.  There are some benefits in that it is early days with this virus and some unexpected general observation may prove to be worthy to monitor.  

Conclusion

Certainly, the memory of the 'Spanish Flu of 1918' has faded so far in the background and the health-arrogance and carelessness of the world means we were not ready for COVID-19.  But we will be!

Some Helpful Resource

(NOTE:  Words underlined have a link embedded to provide more details):  Click on this link for general information about the behaviour of the disease and basic protective strategies:

Early Basics of the Virus Discussed

Early information on precautionary measures to take by Ken Berry, MD

Or copy and paste this link into your browser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QA5AbqlCHuc&feature=share&fbclid=IwAR1T_EodoJy5AruR8OObewB1-GyfvvSMGl8tVCyZ803tcoluTK_IGIDQC-s

Difficulty in Getting the Facts

This one hour and seven-minute video is by two US-Chinese experts who share some important information on why the data and facts about the disease from China are still unclear: 

VERY IMPORTANT LINK

Or copy and paste this link into your browser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VBxZ1XIYmGc&list=TLPQMDMwMjIwMjCf_PKQJOfDTQ&index=3

JOHNS HOPKINS USA Daily Statistics

Dynamic statistics about daily progress from Johns Hopkins

Click:  Latest Update:   (source John Hopkins) 

Or copy and paste this link into your browser:  

https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/

Dr. John Campbell Research Science

Also, if you are interested in the details from a medical researcher’s point of view, Dr. John Campbell in the UK has been following and documenting the facts from the beginning.  He takes a little getting used to, but his information is sound:  

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF9IOB2TExg3QIBupFtBDxg