CV and mad panic behaviour

[LP]

The aerosol / droplet risk is so high a lot of countries just write off all deaths that aren't obviously something different as COVID, because they are not doing autopsies just cremations. Most deaths are resulting from complications, not just the virus alone. Some regions report low because they are only reporting COVID related deaths that are verified.

Further, the available levels of treatment are not universal, what passes as ICU in some regions is barely a general ward bed here in Australia.

[Baggers]

Just as a poser... if someone in an Oncology ward, seriously ill, contracts the seasonal flu and it finishes them off (excuse the lack of tact), is the cause of death listed as seasonal flu or xyz cancer?

[PaulP]

Just as a poser... if someone in an Oncology ward, seriously ill, contracts the seasonal flu and it finishes them off (excuse the lack of tact), is the cause of death listed as seasonal flu or xyz cancer?

I'm not in the medical field, and notwithstanding any broader philosophical issues about what constitutes a cause of death, I'd guess that the accepted standard in the medical profession is that the flu would be listed as the official cause, with perhaps a note about pre existing health issues.

[Gointocarlton]

Just as a poser... if someone in an Oncology ward, seriously ill, contracts the seasonal flu and it finishes them off (excuse the lack of tact), is the cause of death listed as seasonal flu or xyz cancer?

I can add some perspective through some experience. My father in-law had Myeloma and back in 07, needed an operation to put a pin in the femur as bone embrittlement (I think thats the term) made it risky to not have it done (ie if the bone broke, he would likely bleed to death). He was a very ill man however it was deemed better to take the risk of surgery as opposed to not do it, he accepted the risk and wanted it done. At the completion of the surgery, as they were moving him, he went into cardiac arrest and never recovered. Cause of death was cardiac arrest (not myeloma) despite a very long list of other ailments related to myeloma (and non hodgkin lymphoma). So its sort of similar...I think.

[cookie2]

From my experiences of the loss of someone close, IIRC the cause of death was shown in the form of  "x" brought on by "y". I think an an attempt is made to provide a complete picture leading up to the actual death. Not sure how that may get reflected in the stats though.

[capcom]

Whereas Germany artificially deflate their corona death count by doing the complete opposite.

[LP]

You can see from our own experiences, even in a relatively standardized environment like Australia's medical system, that reporting can lead to misunderstandings and accidental misdirection.

Also there is political will surrounding the reporting. For example reports are China has a rise in cases again, but the Chinese authorities are claiming they are imported cases. It's a bit hard to believe, more mysticism than objective reporting. One has to wonder if some of the exaggerated claims are a prelude to a compensation claim.

I suppose we will never know the truth.

[kruddler]

Just as a poser... if someone in an Oncology ward, seriously ill, contracts the seasonal flu and it finishes them off (excuse the lack of tact), is the cause of death listed as seasonal flu or xyz cancer?

I think its been answered pretty well already but i'll add this one on.

If someone is a drug addict, and goes into cardiac arrest from OD'ing or whatever, cause of death is 'heart failure'.

Not sure if you're into wrestling at all, but all the wrestlers die young due to drugs - either cocaine and the like, or steroids. Not one wrestler has ever had cause of death as 'drugs'. Its always heart failure. Even if they are fighting fit and barely 40.

This is also true in real life as a friend of a friend was 'relieved' that his daughter died of 'heart failure' rather than drugs.....despite being on drugs for 2 decades or more. His son knew better but never told him

[LP]

The sad thing is the media know this very well, yet they happily distort reports for their own political purpose whenever the feel like doing so!

The 4th Estate is supposed to be the Guardian against spin, instead it's become the propagator of it!

[ElwoodBlues1]

Premier Gladys B from NSW is thinking about relaxing isolation rules so we can have a bit of herd immunity as the virus slowly works its way through the strong and finds it way to the old, sick and weak cutting them from the herd.
She says there will have to be more infections and deaths so we can have the majority of the self immunized herd back on deck and getting back to normal, minus those who she has sacrificed in the process.
Good on you Gladys, you allowed those cruise ship passengers to run amok/infect half the country and now you might want to decide on who lives and who might suffer or die.
Daniel Andrews meanwhile wants to introduce stage 4 restrictions...never thought I would give Andrews any credit for anything but I'm glad I live in Victoria.