# Why hasn't the media rubbed our noses in COVID deaths? It might be the thing that saves us **URL:** \ **Category:** The Quarantine Zone\ **Tags:** covid-quarantine\ **Created:** [November 27, 2020, 5:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555 "2020-11-27T05:43:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 12
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/225 "2020-12-08T19:58:54Z")
It seems to me you don’t believe in any mitigation until your state’s health system crumbles under the load and then you will go look for planes to fly people somewhere. It can be prudent to plan for the worst and hope the worst never happens. ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/226 "2020-12-08T20:33:15Z")
> [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > But later we were told they lied to keep supplying the limited number of masks to health care workers. They didn’t lie. Early in the pandemic, they were unaware of how many presymptomatic, mildly symptomatic, and asymptomatic people would be walking around for days spreading the virus. Most the states in the US with a large number of cases had shut down. Masks were not necessary with that information. Supplies were desperately needed for healthcare workers. This was explained at the time. Once data started coming in about the length of the incubation period and how many people never developed significant symptoms, masks were recommended as source control. This was in late March, early April. If people are fixating on a time that early in the pandemic with as much information out there, they are looking for an excuse or they are very low information citizens. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/227 "2020-12-08T21:21:27Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > They didn’t lie. While I initially thought the same thing, there is evidence ([acknowledge by Fauci in this short video clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XHC5Kxxv_w&feature=youtu.be&t=95)) that there was a short period at the beginning where they were recommending people not buy masks as they didn’t want a run on N-95 masks by the general public. Once vendors locked down that supply and limited it to relevant personnel, the Fauci’s of the world changed the recommendations quickly. That doesn’t excuse the previous sentence of his: > [@rowrrbazzle](#): > > We’ve been getting some mixed and even contradictory messages about that. That hasn’t been true in a very very long time unless you are listening to people who don’t have a clue. [Even Trump’s personal butt boy Azar can tell you the 3 Ws](https://www.foxnews.com/politics/azar-prioritize-vulnerable-populations-vaccinations) (warning, FoxNews link, so you might have to shower afterwards). - **Wear** a cloth mask over your nose and mouth. - **Wait** 6 feet apart. Avoid close contact. - **Wash** your hands or use hand sanitizer. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 9:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/228 "2020-12-08T21:31:04Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > The people who are actually _in charge_ of doing this, and who are actually looking at the full logistics of it, are saying it’s going to take up to three months. It appears that a major factor is uncertainty in how many does that they will have access to, and when. Additional information on how long it’s going to take for the vaccinations to really make a dent in cases in the U.S., from the White House coronavirus task force today: > [@](#): > > As President Trump celebrated his administration’s “incredible success” in speeding the development of coronavirus vaccines Tuesday, a report prepared by the White House coronavirus task force warns that the shots will not alter the course of the pandemic in the United States until well into next year. > > “ **The current vaccine implementation will not substantially reduce viral spread, hospitalizations, or fatalities until the 100 million Americans with comorbidities can be fully immunized, which will take until the late spring** ,” notes the report, part of a weekly rundown of data and recommendations sent to governors and obtained by The Washington Post. > > Vaccines approved by the Food and Drug Administration are expected to provide robust individual protection against infection, as review documents posted Tuesday about the two-dose regimen developed by Pfizer and German firm BioNTech [affirm](https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/health/pfizer-vaccine-trial-results/?itid=lk_inline_manual_16). The note of caution from the president’s medical advisers, however, reflects the current out-of-control spread of the virus, as well as manufacturing and distribution challenges that will limit vaccine supply for a number of months. > **[U.S. surpasses 15 million coronavirus cases as spread accelerates](https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/12/08/coronavirus-covid-live-updates-us/#link-IUBALEVIE5DMLMYNYDCL3IMX2Q)** > > U.S. coronavirus cases surpassed 15 million on Tuesday — just five days after reaching 14 million. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 9:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/229 "2020-12-08T21:41:16Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > Even Trump’s personal butt boy Azar **Moderator Note** Let’s keep political jabs out of this forum, as well as homophobic slurs. Do not do this again. Colibri QZ Moderator ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 9:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/230 "2020-12-08T21:56:49Z")
I apologize for that. I keep forgetting the “No politics” rule in this forum, but I’ve been here long enough that that is no excuse. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [December 8, 2020, 10:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/231 "2020-12-08T22:04:23Z")
Apology noted and appreciated. Colibri ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 1:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/232 "2020-12-09T01:29:45Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “ **The current vaccine implementation will not substantially reduce viral spread, hospitalizations, or fatalities until the 100 million Americans with comorbidities can be fully immunized, which will take until the late spring** ,” 29% of all Americans are comorbid and by implication susceptible to death from covid? That seems very high. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/233 "2020-12-09T01:56:10Z")
> [@Whack-a-Mole](#): > > It can be prudent to plan for the worst and hope the worst never happens. I don’t think there’s wholesale rejection of prudence nor are we looking forward to plan B, C, and D. the pushback is from people in economic free-fall and those who support them. At this point in the timeline we’re wearing masks at box stores and keeping 6 feet apart so that vulnerable people have a safe place to shop. But there is an expectation of support for businesses where masks can’t be worn. vulnerable people are expected to avoid these places until they are vaccinated just as they would be for the flu or any other environment that poses a threat. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/234 "2020-12-09T02:01:39Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > **vulnerable people are expected to avoid these places until they are vaccinated** just as they would be for the flu or any other environment that poses a threat. …this is neither an expectation nor a realistic possibility. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/235 "2020-12-09T02:10:33Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > …this is neither an expectation nor a realistic possibility. How would you describe the increase and decrease of social interaction that governors are engaging in? In my state we are changing school schedules, restaurant schedules and other social functions as the covid numbers change. ---
**Author:** ![Banquet\_Bear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banquet_bear/32/373_2.png) [@Banquet\_Bear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banquet_Bear)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/236 "2020-12-09T02:30:53Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > How would you describe the increase and decrease of social interaction that governors are engaging in? …there are about 54 governors in the US and associated territories: can you be a bit more specific on which ones have the expectation that vulnerable people are expected to avoid “these” places until they are vaccinated? > [@Magiver](#): > > In my state we are changing school schedules, restaurant schedules and other social functions as the covid numbers change. And what does this have to do with what you expect vulnerable people to do? ---
**Author:** ![Tfletch1](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tfletch1/32/5340_2.png) [@Tfletch1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tfletch1)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/237 "2020-12-09T02:31:46Z")
> [@DMC](#): > > While I initially thought the same thing, there is evidence ([acknowledge by Fauci in this short video clip](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XHC5Kxxv_w&feature=youtu.be&t=95)) that there was a short period at the beginning where they were recommending people not buy masks as they didn’t want a run on N-95 masks by the general public. Once vendors locked down that supply and limited it to relevant personnel, the Fauci’s of the world changed the recommendations quickly. What drove his original comments was that they did not know how much asymptomatic transmission was going on as much as protecting PPE for healthcare workers. They were already recommending people who had symptoms to stay at home and wear a mask. It wasn’t until they discovered the amount of asymptomatic/presymptomatic transmission ([published from the CDC online April 1](https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6914e1.htm)). This changed everything. At this point masks became essential for source control (which is not controversial at all) as Fauci explains [here](https://www.washingtonpost.com/video/washington-post-live/fauci-on-how-his-thinking-has-evolved-on-masks-asymptomatic-transmission/2020/07/24/799264e2-0f35-4862-aca2-2b4702650a8b_video.html). We now have evidence that suggests layered cloth masks can actually protect the wearer as well. So it absolutely was not a lie. They simply didn’t know how transmission was occurring. Once they were confident, they became adamant about wearing masks. Again, this was while most places in the US were in lockdown/shelter-in-place which is superior anyway. We could have reopened more safely with mask mandates as guided by appropriate leadership. This is a hijack of the topic but I just wanted to rebut, once again, the “lie” myth. ---
**Author:** ![FigNorton](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fignorton/32/5619_2.png) [@FigNorton](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FigNorton)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/238 "2020-12-09T02:41:14Z")
That does seem a tad on the alarmist side. Still, about 15% are over 65 which starts to get significant risk. Add all the people who have serious health issues under that age, it’s a fair few people. ---
**Author:** ![Fretful\_Porpentine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/fretful_porpentine/32/2873_2.png) [@Fretful\_Porpentine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Fretful_Porpentine)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 2:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/239 "2020-12-09T02:59:30Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > “ **The current vaccine implementation will not substantially reduce viral spread, hospitalizations, or fatalities until the 100 million Americans with comorbidities can be fully immunized, which will take until the late spring** ,” notes the report, part of a weekly rundown of data and recommendations sent to governors and obtained by The Washington Post. Maybe I’m missing something, but I’m confused about why that would be so – it seems to me that _any_ significant level of immunization would substantially reduce all of these things. It doesn’t have to reach 100% of the vulnerable population to have an effect, right? Especially if – as seems likely – people who have had the vaccination are less likely to transmit it to other people, even if that also isn’t 100%? ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/240 "2020-12-09T03:18:27Z")
> [@Banquet\_Bear](#): > > And what does this have to do with what you expect vulnerable people to do? What do you expect vulnerable people to do at restaurants? your entire responses make no sense. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/241 "2020-12-09T03:33:36Z")
> [@Tfletch1](#): > > What drove his original comments was that they did not know how much asymptomatic transmission was going on as much as protecting PPE for healthcare workers. Can you cite this? I only see his [statement about PPE shortages](https://www.businessinsider.com/fauci-mask-advice-was-because-doctors-shortages-from-the-start-2020-6). Fauci said US government held off promoting face masks because it knew shortages were so bad that even doctors couldn’t get enough ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/242 "2020-12-09T03:43:42Z")
> [@Magiver](#): > > 29% of all Americans are comorbid and by implication susceptible to death from covid? That seems very high. Here’s the numbers for some significant comorbidities and factors that lead to poorer prognoses for COVID-19: - Age 65+: 15% - Diabetes: 10% - Severe obesity: 9% - Chronic kidney disease: 15% - COPD: 8% - Coronary artery disease: 7% - Smokers: 15% Granted, there’s going to be a lot of overlap between these (such as overlap between obesity, diabetes, and kidney disease), but even so, it’s very easy to picture that 29% of Americans have at least one of the above. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 3:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/243 "2020-12-09T03:57:25Z")
thanks Kenobi\_65. Do you have a link for those numbers. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 9, 2020, 4:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555/244 "2020-12-09T04:05:14Z")
I was just googling “Percent of Americans with [condition]”, so each percentage was from a different link; almost all of them were from CDC fact sheet pages. For instance, this is the source for [diabetes incidence](https://www.cdc.gov/diabetes/library/features/diabetes-stat-report.html), and this is the one for [kidney disease](https://www.cdc.gov/kidneydisease/publications-resources/2019-national-facts.html). [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555.md?page=11) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-hasnt-the-media-rubbed-our-noses-in-covid-deaths-it-might-be-the-thing-that-saves-us/926555.md?page=13)