Understanding Pandemics

Understanding the numbers is important.  The first to know about is the R - nought (R0) which tells us how contagious it is.  Basically, it indicates how many other people an infected person is likely to infect.  Greater than 1 means the number of infected is likely to grow.

For example, the common Flu is around 1.3, the Coronavirus (COVID-19) based on early data is 1.4 to 3.9, which is likely inflated due to unreported mild cases.  The common Measles is 12-18.

Values of R0 of well-known infectious diseases
Disease	Transmission	R0
Measles	Airborne	12–18
Diphtheria	Saliva	6–7
Smallpox	Airborne droplet	5–7
Polio	Fecal–oral route	5–7
Rubella	Airborne droplet	5–7
Mumps	Airborne droplet	4–7
Pertussis	Airborne droplet	5.5
HIV/AIDS	Sexual contact	2–5
SARS	Airborne droplet	2–5
COVID-19 (early data)	Airborne droplet	1.4–3.9
Influenza	Airborne droplet	1.3–3
Ebola	Body fluids	1.5–2.5
MERS	Airborne droplet	0.3–0.8

Second, is the deaths per 100,000 people.  Because the number of deaths is generally a small, fraction of a percentage, they are measured on a 100,000 scale.


The CDC estimates that so far this season there have been at least 36 million flu illnesses, 370,000 hospitalizations and 22,000 deaths from flu: but possibly as many as 55,000, with a mid point of 38,500.  How does this compare to to the COVID-19?

 

Makes you wonder, why the panic over the Coronavirus (COVID-19).  The unknown risk from a new variety is a reason to be cautious, but it seems the irresponsible mainstream media is not reporting the whole story, i.e. comparing it against the common flu, to put it in perspective, which is causing unnecessary panic, with stores being overwhelmed and fights breaking out for supplies.  

ADVICE:  

Stock up on supplies ahead of time.  

This is why we are Preppers in the first place.

Visit our Blog often to learn how you can be better prepared.

 

For more information

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Pandemic Preparations

Printable Materials for Promoting Good Health Habits: Flu.gov U.S Department of Health and Human Service American Red Cross Center for Disease Control and Prevention - Influenza/Flu WHO Pandemic preparedness

   http://www.ready.gov/pandemic

Recent updates on the flu can be found at:

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm

Click on the topics below for more related information.