CV and mad panic behaviour

[LP]

What the article fails to mention - or discuss - is that, irrespective of the rate of reproduction (which events both in the UK and here would throw in doubt as to how infectious is actually is), the rates of hospitalisations and deaths are negligible.

That is perhaps a confusion of the consequences and benefits of vaccination with the fundamental characteristics of the virus.

Regarding virulence:
The R[sub]0[/sub] is a growth factor, Influenza's R[sub]0[/sub] is suggested to be 1.3, normal COVID-19 is about R[sub]0[/sub] of 2.5, the COVID Delta variant R[sub]0[/sub] is initially showing as 7.0. This is massively different because the reproduction number describes exponential growth.

Influenza R[sub]0[/sub] = 1.3, after 4 generations the infection count is just 2.8

COVID-19 R[sub]0[/sub] = 2.0, after 4 generations the infection count is 16

COVID-19 Delta R[sub]0[/sub] of 7.0, after 4 generations the infection count is 2401

Even if the COVID Delta variant is 100x less lethal than Influenza it works out just as deadly, unfortunately in the real world COVID-19 Delta it is more deadly/lethal than Influenza.

Also, with a higher the R[sub]0[/sub] a much higher percentage of community resistance must be achieved to reach herd immunity, an R[sub]0[/sub] of 2.0 requires about 60% resistance, an R[sub]0[/sub] of 7.0 requires about 90% resistance.

The basic math is why the authorities are crapting themselves about the COVID-19 Delta variant.