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The Coronavirus, Investigating "Just the Facts"

Updated on June 27, 2020
Paul Kozma profile image

I'm a baby boomer from the 1950s who has a different perspective on this virus than later generations. Read on for my unique approach.

Jack Webb as Joe Friday
Jack Webb as Joe Friday

Dragnet, Part of Culture in the 1950's

The family concept dominated American culture in the 1950s. Conformity was the norm for all ages, with family activities being the glue that held it all together. In the '50s, families ate together, prayed together, and watched TV together. One of those shows they saw together was named Dragnet.

Dragnet was a favorite detective show in the 1950s. Its star was Joe Friday, played by Jack Webb, who had a famous saying that resonates in the hearts and minds of people to this day. The saying was, "just the facts."

And as Joe gathered data by interviewing people, he didn't want feelings, personal views, or bias to get in the way of the truth, he just wanted the facts.

Huntley and Brinkley
Huntley and Brinkley

TV and the News in the 1950's

It was in the '50s when television became popular—television's impact in the 1950s was similar to the effect of the internet in the 1990s. And in the 50s, there were only three national stations, ABC, NBC, and CBS, as well as local stations throughout the country.

And what funded these successful television stations were commercials and lots of them. There were commercials selling everything imaginable, and they were good at it too. People only had to watch TV to learn what soap to use, what toothpaste to brush with, what toys to play with, and what cars to buy.

And as television's popularity skyrocketed, so did the news. It was the 1950s that brought us Huntley, Brinkley and Walter Cronkite. They were honorable people, revered by all. They had a strong viewer base, and every night people watched, listened, and believed they were always presenting the facts.

The New York Times had a saying, "All the news that fit to print." In the 1950s, the Times researched and validated the information before it was published, and then it was fit to print. The media was never part of the news. They only reported the news, which based on the facts.

Analyzing the Facts

In the spirit of analyzing "just the facts," let look at the data for the coronavirus and draw some conclusions based on the facts. For those people who disagree with my findings, please express your perspectives in the 'comments' section below.

Wordometers Data

Worldometers tracks real-time worldwide coronavirus case data. As of June 27th, they are reporting 9,935,361 known cases, of which 497,553 people have died. Deaths divided by known cases yields a mortality rate of 5 %. Worldometers also said that out of 4,000,000 active cases, 99% are considered mild, with over 5.4 million people already recovered.

Globalresearch Data

Globalresearch has been tracking worldwide flu cases over the past several years. In their most recent year, Globalresearch reported 5 million known cases, of which 650,000 people have died. Deaths divided by known cases yields a mortality rate of 13%.

BBC Data

The BBC recently reported coronavirus mortality rates as overstated since 'unknown cases,' those cases where people never see a doctor and recover, are not included in the calculations. The BBC also projects the virus in England to have spread far more than previously thought.

The BBC believes with the 'unknown cases' factored in, the mortality rate in England will be between .5% and 1%, similar to the numbers in South Korea. South Korea is currently the only country with enough test kits to capture 'unknown case' data via antibody testing.

University of Maryland Data

The University of Maryland recently concluded a study determining the coronavirus to be seasonal, similar to the flu. By being seasonal, the virus will die out naturally in the spring, to return in the fall. The world will have approximately six months to develop and distribute a vaccine to the prior flu season.

Conclusions

Based on the information presented, I've drawn the following conclusions :

  1. The effects of this virus are mild for most people
  2. The coronavirus will naturally subside due to seasonality
  3. The virus's mortality rate is overstated
  4. People are more likely to die from the flu than the coronavirus

This article intended to bring data to the table to help determine if the world's current call to action might be overly aggressive. The world is currently under global chaos and economic collapse as a result of their decisions.

With a better understanding of the coronavirus based on this newly acquired information, it appears the world has overreacted. If my conclusions hold, as the data strongly suggest they will, then world leaders made decisions that need to be changed.

It's time for the world to make decisions based on "just the facts."


A Poll For "Just the Facts"

Should Lockdowns and Social Distancing Continue for the Coronavirus ?

See results

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

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