Coronavirus death rate is 3.4%, World Health Organization

via USA Today.

 The World Health Organization reported this week that the death rate for the coronavirus increased to 3.4% and is more lethal than the flu, which kills tens of thousands of Americans each year.

But President Donald Trump, citing only a "hunch," called the number provided by world health leaders "false."

Asked about WHO's coronavirus fatality rate findings during an interview Wednesday, Trump told Fox News host Sean Hannity: "Well, I think the 3.4% is really a false number."

He added, "now, this is just my hunch ... based on a lot of conversations with a lot of people that do this, because a lot of people will have this, and it's very mild."

Trump later put the number at less than 1%.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, announced the new fatality rate, which increased from the previous estimate of around 2%.

"Globally, about 3.4% of reported COVID-19 cases have died," he said. "By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1% of those infected.

This is stunning!

I've eased back on coverage of this thing because I still believe that just like the Spanish Flu this is just round one.  I think this thing will mutate and comeback an even bigger monster this fall/winter.

But 3.4% is just plain insane.  That makes this thing nasty as hell RIGHT NOW!

The article is focusing on the current fashion (maybe justified) of Trump downplaying this thing but I really don't see any other option for the man.

He's kinda damned if he does and damned if he doesn't.  If he was taking my stance and saying its bad, everyone should get ready etc...the media would say that he's fear mongering.  Since he's not doing that they're saying that he's an idiot.

Kinda sucks to be Trump.

Back on task.  My prediction is that by summer everyone will forget.  The fall will arrive and so will seasonal shopping and that's when the world gets throat stomped.

If I'm right then this summer is when you get your house in order.  If I'm wrong then I'll be happy as hell.