TallGuyJohninBKK

"Since COVID first hit the U.S., some have argued that the nascent disease is no more dangerous than the flu, which sweeps the U.S. every fall and winter. ... While the two can present with similar symptoms—like fever, cough, fatigue, sore throat, muscle aches, and headache—and are both more likely to be fatal for the elderly and immunocompromised, the comparison falls apart when it comes to the death toll. One graph in particular shows just how stark the mortality difference is between the two. Flu deaths appear almost flat compared to surges in COVID deaths over the past three years." https://fortune.com/well/2022/09/27/why-covid-isnt-like-the-flu-death-toll-leading-cause-death-omicron-shot-booster-vaccine/ And now, even after the recent declines, the weekly COVID death rate in the U.S. right now at 1,160 fatalities is still somewhat higher than the Sept. 17, 2022 weekly figure of 1,055 cited in the chart above. https://covid.cdc.gov/covid-data-tracker/#datatracker-home

You keep trying to falsely liken the risks of COVID to those of having a cold. They're not the same, as has previously been shown earlier in this thread. But you keep repeating the same falsity. Some surface symptoms may be the same. But the overall risks and health outcomes are not. COVID has been among the top leading causes of death in the U.S. even into 2022. Having a cold (or the flu) is not.

Dr Maria Van Kerkhove, WHO Technical Lead on COVID-19 March 29, 2023 "At the present time, we’re still in a public health emergency of international concern at a global level as well as still in a pandemic. The virus is circulating. We are in a much better situation than we were since the beginning of this pandemic. While we still see a lot of circulation of the virus, we are not seeing the same level of impact, and by impact we mean there’s a reduced incidence of hospitalisation, ICU and death. But the threat isn’t over...." https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/virtual-press-conference-on-covid-19-and-other-global-health-issues-transcript-29-march-2023

The fact that people may have co-morbidities when they die of COVID doesn't mean they didn't die of COVID... COVID may have caused their death as a primary factor, or it may have contributed to their death in tandem with their pre-existing conditions. In either case, it's still COVID at least contributing to the death. From earlier this month in a time of Omicron: "“There are still people who are getting wicked sick,” said Libby Hohmann, an infectious-disease physician at Massachusetts General Hospital. ... “For most of us, it’s kind of a yawn now, but … you see these people, covid pushes them over the cliff,” she said." https://www.washingtonpost.com/health/2023/04/16/covid-deaths-per-day/

And likewise from the WHO in the past week: WHO warns COVID pandemic still volatile April 18, 2023 "The World Health Organization on Tuesday warned the COVID pandemic was still volatile, saying there could be further trouble before the virus settles into a predictable pattern. In the last 28 days, more than 23,000 deaths and three million new cases have been reported to the WHO, in the context of much-reduced testing. While the numbers are decreasing, "that's still a lot of people dying and that's still a lot of people getting sick", WHO emergencies director Michael Ryan told a press conference." https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-04-covid-pandemic-volatile.html

From India's health minister: 'Pandemic still not over': Centre writes to 8 states https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/pandemic-still-not-over-centre-writes-to-8-states-amid-consistent-rise-in-covid-cases/articleshow/99670684.cms

Not just one country or one place: "More than a dozen hospital workers at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, along with “some patients,” have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting new masking rules at the facility, hospital officials said. “In response, effective immediately, physicians and staff are required to mask in the Santa Rosa hospital and emergency department while providing direct patient care,” Kaiser officials said in a written statement late Wednesday." https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/covid-19-outbreak-reported-at-kaiser-santa-rosa-hospital-local-health-offi/ "BACOLOD City Secretary to the Mayor Karol Joseph Chiu urged the public, especially the senior citizens and persons with comorbidities, to wear face masks in crowded places as the city’s coronavirus disease (Covid-19) cases continue to increase." https://www.sunstar.com.ph/article/1959264/bacolod/local-news/bacolod-urges-public-to-wear-face-masks-in-crowded-places Sensibly, public health officials will urge and/or enforce precautions in places where there are COVID outbreaks or upswings in cases, as they should. India isn't alone in that regard.

Medical research on COVID has shown that it can be a very nefarious illness that potentially can impact and harm many systems in the body, unlike the simple flu or colds, even when the COVID infection initially might be mild or without apparent symptoms. "New research finds that with each repeat COVID infection – even asymptomatic infection – your risk for complications increases. This includes an increased risk for: stroke heart attack diabetes digestive and kidney disorders long-term cognitive impairment, including dementia Each reinfection also carries with it the risk of long COVID or ongoing COVID symptoms that can last for weeks or months after infection." https://health.ucdavis.edu/coronavirus/covid-19-information/omicron-variant And to flesh out the above issues a bit: Another post-COVID-19 risk: new-onset diabetes April 20, 2023 A study of more than 600,000 people in British Columbia, Canada, links COVID-19 and a higher risk of diabetes more than 30 days after diagnosis, concluding that infection may have led to 3% to 5% excess diabetes cases. https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/another-post-covid-19-risk-new-onset-diabetes Researchers report ‘striking similarities’ in brains of aging adults, people with COVID-19 Changes in gene expression patterns in the brain associated with natural aging also were observed in the brains of those with severe COVID-19, prompting researchers to emphasize the need for neurological follow-up in recovered individuals. ... “Ours is the first study to show that COVID-19 is associated with the molecular signatures of brain aging,” Mavrikaki said in the release. “We found striking similarities between the brains of patients with COVID-19 and aged individuals.” https://www.healio.com/news/neurology/20221206/researchers-report-striking-similarities-in-brains-of-aging-adults-people-with-covid19

COVID Omicron variant infection deadlier than flu, studies suggest "Two new studies suggest that COVID-19 Omicron variant infection is deadlier than influenza, with one finding that US veterans hospitalized with Omicron in fall and winter 2022-23 died at a 61% higher rate than hospitalized flu patients, and the other revealing that Israeli adults hospitalized with flu were 55% less likely to die within 30 days than those admitted for Omicron in the 2021-22 flu season." https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/covid-omicron-variant-infection-deadlier-flu-studies-suggest Also, COVID has been one of the U.S.'s leading causes of death, even in 2022 -- far more than the flu or colds, which I believe would be listed down below under the "other respiratory" category. So to liken the impact or risk from colds to that of COVID is pure ignorance or willful avoidance of the facts. https://www.healthsystemtracker.org/brief/covid-19-leading-cause-of-death-ranking/#Total deaths in the United States from COVID-19 and other leading causes, 2020-2022

Got news for you on that score: Mandatory face masks and rising cases: latest COVID-19 guidelines across India 17 April 2023 "A recent surge in COVID-19 cases across India has brought restrictions and guidelines back to some states. ... Delhi ...Several hospitals and educational institutions have brought back mask mandates and social distancing protocols. ... In Mumbai, the BMC has made face masks mandatory in civic-run hospitals and senior citizens have been advised to wear masks as a precautionary measure. ... Kerala ... Testing has been increased and masks have been made mandatory for people who are pregnant or have lifestyle diseases as well as for the elderly. https://www.cntraveller.in/story/mandatory-face-masks-and-rising-cases-latest-covid-19-guidelines-across-india/

18,000 COVID "official" deaths per month in the world right now, according to the WHO. https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/situation-reports

It's dying from COVID... regardless of the variant. But these days.... all the main COVID variants circulating are pretty much Omicron, so that in one form or another is what's killing people and still making them sick. Per the WHO: "At the country level, the highest numbers of new 28-day cases were reported from the United States of America (432 798 new cases; -45%), the Republic of Korea (286 182 new cases; +6%), the Russian Federation (259 138 new cases; -24%), France (219 428 new cases; +65%), and Brazil (212 578 new cases; +35%). The highest numbers of new 28-day deaths were reported from the United States of America (5559 new deaths; -32%), Brazil (1177 new deaths; -26%), the Russian Federation (994 new deaths; -4%), Germany (813 new deaths; -58%), and the Islamic Republic of Iran (754 new deaths; +193%)." https://www.who.int/publications/m/item/weekly-epidemiological-update-on-covid-19---20-april-2023 COVID and Omicron are still killing people every day around the globe, though the numbers in many places aren't as high as they were in the worst times of the past. PS - the official case numbers above are pretty likely meaningless as vast undercounts, since most governments these days aren't actively tracking and counting mere cases, just as Thailand months ago stopped reporting them entirely. Although we do have occasional blips like the following: Temporary Covid-19 surge may result in 10,000 daily cases "A new wave of Covid-19 infections is expected to bring daily cases to 5,000-10,000, but a swift decline in numbers is predicted thereafter, according to Dr Nitipatana Chierakul, Head of the Respiratory Disease and Tuberculosis Division at the Faculty of Medicine in Siriraj Hospital. In a statement on his Facebook page, Dr Nitipatana noted a rise in infections caused by the Omicron XBB.1.16 sub-variant but highlighted the majority of cases were mild. He explained that severe reactions were likely due to pre-existing health conditions." https://thethaiger.com/news/national/temporary-surge-may-result-in-10000-daily-cases-for-a-brief-period The majority of those projected cases may well end up being mild, as the doctor says..... But for every day there's 5K to 10K new cases here, some share of those are going to end up dead, and another share will end up requiring hospitalization. And in my view, it's in everyone's best interest to see that those COVID case numbers remain as low as possible.

The new variant has, not Thailand's reported death. Because the variant is much more contagious than its predecessors, and appears better able to evade protections from prior vaccinations and COVID infections. "Due to its estimated growth advantage and immune escape characteristics, XBB.1.16 may spread globally and contribute to an increase in case incidence. However, at present, there is no early signal of an increase in severity. The initial XBB.1.16 risk assessment is ongoing and is expected to be published in the coming days." https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/situation-reports/20230420_weekly_epi_update_139.pdf?sfvrsn=c432eac8_3&download=true

Apparently, it's still just a given nickname, not an official name for the variant.... "Now, Honey used the name “Arcturus.” But, remember, that name ain’t official, just like “Kraken” and “Orthus” names of earlier emerging subvariants weren’t official either. It’s just that the continued use of letter and number combos that sound more like Star Wars droids has made it more difficult for the general public to keep track of these different Omicron subvariants. That’s prompted folks on social media to create and use their own unofficial nicknames, to grin and bear it in a way. “Arcturus” is actually a Latinized version of the ancient Greek name Arktouros, which means “Guardian of the Bear,” https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucelee/2023/04/16/xbb116-arcturus-is-new-covid-19-variant-under-monitoring-by-the-who/?sh=4291f5d74224 If you look thru the WHO's documents, you'll still see just XBB.1.15 and XBB.1.16, etc.

Actual death figures are likely to be higher than confirmed deaths "What we know is the number of confirmed deaths due to COVID-19 to date. Limited testing and challenges in the attribution of the cause of death means that the number of confirmed deaths may not be an accurate count of the actual number of deaths from COVID-19. In an ongoing outbreak the final outcomes – death or recovery – for all cases is not yet known. The time from symptom onset to death ranges from 2 to 8 weeks for COVID-19.5This means that some people who are currently infected with COVID-19 will die at a later date. " https://ourworldindata.org/covid-deaths#deaths-from-covid-19-background The official death numbers are acknowledged by pretty much all the experts involved as an UNDERCOUNT -- not an overcount.

Here's what XBB.1.16 COVID has done for India since the start of 2023: The latest daily new cases number was 12,000+. The chart below stops at April 18. The latest daily deaths number for India is 42. The chart below stops at April 18. https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus/country/india

7 million dead "officially" from COVID, and the projected actual numbers more in the 15-20 million range... And that's what you have to say???

India is reporting plenty of all of the above, and XBB1.16 is the primary variant there... So it's reasonable to assume it's a large part of their illness and deaths tallies. "Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Director Dr SK Sarin, while speaking to NDTV, said that traces of the XBB.1.16 variant have been found in at least 98 per cent of the samples taken from COVID-19 patients in New Delhi." https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-covid-variant-xbb116-leads-to-spike-in-cases-know-its-symptoms-and-precautions-580026 FWIW, I don't really care whether it's XBB.1.16 or some other variant of COVID that's killing people and making them sick. It's still COVID, anyway you cut it. And THAT'S what should be of concern. not nitpicking which of dozens of variants is involved in any given case. If people are dead from COVID, they're dead from COVID, period. No bonus point for this or that variant being involved.

You can play visual games with charts all you want. But the news report above clearly says that India reported 42 new COVID deaths just in the latest day... And although India certainly is a large country, 42 deaths a day and 12,000+ new daily COVID cases would be enough to concern most right-thinking people.

India has been at the forefront of the XBB.1.16 outbreak.... Covid Live News Updates: India records 12,193 new cases and 42 deaths "Covid Live News Updates: India has recorded 12,193 fresh Covid-19 cases in a span of 24 hours, with the number of active cases of the infection going up to 67,556, the Union health ministry said on Saturday. The death toll due to the viral disease has climbed to 5,31,300 with 42 more fatalities, including 10 reconciled by Kerala." Context: India asks states to ramp up testing as COVID-19 cases climb MUMBAI, April 7 (Reuters) - India's federal government asked states to identify emergency hotspots and ramp up-testing for COVID-19, after the country recorded its highest daily case count since September, a Reuters tally showed on Friday. There were 6,050 new cases of COVID-19 in the last 24 hours, the federal health ministry said on Friday, continuing a sharp upward trend since a lull last year." https://www.reuters.com/world/india/india-asks-states-ramp-up-testing-covid-19-cases-climb-2023-04-07/ India: Covid variant XBB1.16 leads to spike in cases. Updated: Apr 07, 2023 "India is recording a steep increase in COVID-19 cases every day with 6,050 fresh cases reported on Friday, marking a 13 per cent increase from 5,335 cases that were recorded on Thursday. The abrupt increase in India's Covid graph is due to the spread of Omicron variant XBB.1.16, according to the experts. Covid subvariant XBB.1.16 is being closely monitored by the World Health Organisation (WHO)." ... Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) Director Dr SK Sarin, while speaking to NDTV, said that traces of the XBB.1.16 variant have been found in at least 98 per cent of the samples taken from COVID-19 patients in New Delhi. https://www.wionews.com/india-news/india-covid-variant-xbb116-leads-to-spike-in-cases-know-its-symptoms-and-precautions-580026

XBB.1.16 is still a small but growing share of the different COVID variants circulating in Thailand. But Omicron overall is definitely making people sick and putting them in hospitals, as has previously been much reported here... reports you seem to choose to ignore. "Department director-general Tharet Krutnairawiwong said 435 patients were admitted to hospital for treatment of Covid-19 between April 9 and 15, about 62 cases per day. Of the number, 30 had lung inflammation and 19 were put on ventilators, up 58% and 36% respectively, from the previous week." The same weekly report cited 2 additional COVID deaths for Thailand, but didn't specify what variant was involved... not that it matters greatly.... Dead from COVID is still dead from COVID. https://www.nationthailand.com/thailand/general/40026704

Or it could more likely be that Thailand's number of COVID hospitalizations more than doubled to an average of 62 PER DAY earlier this month, compared to the week before... And probably will go higher still when last week's latest numbers are soon released.

It doesn't take a very large "minority" to end up with a lot of COVID sick people and hospitalizations. It's not the "majority" I'm most concerned about. Gone away, no longer an issue??? "A COVID-19 outbreak in staff and patients at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rose Medical Center in California has prompted new masking rules, hospital officials announced this week, according to the local newspaper. The policy applies to visitors, doctors, and staff." https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/who-elevates-xbb116-variant-interest-levels-rise-us-and-other-countries "More than a dozen hospital workers at Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center, along with “some patients,” have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting new masking rules at the facility, hospital officials said." https://www.pressdemocrat.com/article/news/covid-19-outbreak-reported-at-kaiser-santa-rosa-hospital-local-health-offi/

WHO elevates XBB.1.16 to variant of interest as levels rise in US and other countries The World Health Organization (WHO) this week boosted the XBB.1.16 Omicron subvariant to a variant of interest (VOI) from a variant under monitoring (VUM), based on the latest assessments from its technical advisory group on virus evolution. The subvariant is fueling India's biggest surge in about 7 months, and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported another jump in the proportion of XBB.1.16 viruses. ... Its growth advantage and immune escape properties suggest that XBB.1.16 may spread globally and trigger increases and cases, but so far, there is no evidence that it causes more severe disease. The WHO said an initial risk assessment is under way and will be published in the coming days." https://www.cidrap.umn.edu/covid-19/who-elevates-xbb116-variant-interest-levels-rise-us-and-other-countries

The general COVID situation in many places is a lot better now than what it was in past years, both in case counts and in terms of severity of illness. There's no denying that, and I never have. But that's a far cry difference from people coming on here and claiming COVID is gone and no longer is a health risk to people at large, which is simply false and ignorant. It may not be a high risk to otherwise healthy, younger people. But it's still a potential risk, if you end up being one of the unlucky ones. And frankly, whether in the U.S. or here in Thailand, the majority of the overall population certainly has various of the chronic medical conditions that put them at higher risk from COVID -- things like being overweight (U.S.), diabetes/high blood sugar (Thailand), liver disease (Thailand), etc etc.