Ramblings

Well, this turned out quite the post after playing around with Statista.com and looking at the COVID-19/Influenza numbers. First of all it's great it's just numbers no agenda as far as I can tell, which is a rarity these days. A couple of odd things I noticed, Belgium despite the lockdown, has a relatively high number of deaths per Captia, as do the next couple of countries, with Sweden as the non-lockdown country coming in at #6:
https://www.statista.com/statistics/1111779/coronavirus-death-rate-europe-by-country/

Based on this, I don't think we have data to support that a lockdown is effective in spreading the virus, but also not what the economic impact is due to it. Switching to the US, and comparing that to the Influenza numbers, which I didn't realize were almost as high in the 50s, 60s and 70s and then came down again. But even in the 90s there are numbers significantly higher then the current COVID-19 numbers for the U.S. https://www.statista.com/statistics/184574/deaths-by-influenza-and-pneumonia-in-the-us-since-1950/

Is there nothing to worry about, certainly, but not just COVID, but the regular flu as well, among other things. Is that downplaying the novel virus? I think we're downplaying the other viruses because they aren't in "fashion" or "new". My questions is why do we have a single track mind, and now everything focuses on the "Coronavirus" to the detriment of everything else. What if we tracked influenza deaths, and had it on the news as much as COVID19, with a browser showing you the numbers first, would we not drive flu vaccinations up to prevent them? If we tracked suicides the same way, and raise awareness, would we not safe some of those who were desperate enough to wanting to end their lives? Many life choices would improve live expectancy, from drinking, smoking, eating/exercising, corresponding to Drunk Drivers, Lung Cancer, Heart Attacks, etc ... so many causes, many much more preventable, but as a society we've "chosen" this to be the focus of our attention. Leading Causes of Death per Captia. https://www.statista.com/statistics/248622/rates-of-leading-causes-of-death-in-the-us/

Yet, we only track COVID19 and cower in fear, instead of coming out to help one another (there are examples to the contrary and I applaud them). It's not just the length of life, it's also quality of life. Slave holders of old had all reasons to keep their "property" alive to maximize their investment, but most didn't care much for the quality of their lives.

I've been reading a book, called Overdiagnosed, written in 2011, which does make that point: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8343437-overdiagnosed

There is a balance, and we tend to overdo it, if left to our own devices and are guided by fear. The "cure(s)" result in side effects, which need another cure, instead of looking at the big picture, and in the end we make ourselves sicker.

We need to improve health care, make it available and affordable to all, as a human right/service, in any country that has the means to do that. Health care shouldn't be for profit and have the funding of the common, as the "marketplace" isn't a solution when you are fighting an illness. There are other areas of society that would fall into that category, you don't want to pay the highest bidder for policing or fire fighter/rescue ...

We need to control and regulate, what's in our medicine and food, that the common man wouldn't even be aware of s/he is exposed, and research the long term impact. On the other hand we need to allow people the freedom to live their lives meaning fully, and come to an agreement on where ones freedoms ends, and the next ones begins. Regulating the distance people keep from each other (with consent to clarify), where they go, and what clothing items or personal protection they wear, should really be ones personal freedom, as much as what to read, watch ... and what to belief or not to belief (yes that's aimed at my religious friends).

Maybe there should be an increased share of cost for the individual to the common total cost, based on our life choices, just like an insurance company would do, but only on those choices - not any pre-existing conditions. Be that Drinking, Smoking, Wearing/Not Wearing a mask, driving a big SUV increasing pollution, ...

Do good and reduce your "debt" to society, help your neighbor, care for the sick and elderly, teach the children, be kind and supportive to someone in need, protect the weak and disenfranchised. Let's throw crime in too, steal from others, and work to repay not punish, kill someone and give (maybe an organ) to safe a life.

By now, I suspect, I've offend people on both sides, and I can say the left hates me as much as the right. Leaders really don't need to be popular, they need to do the right thing, even if it's not popular, that's the problem with democracy. Maybe a system of government based on merit would be better, with checks and balances, to keep everyone honest and not abuse the system, and opportunities for all to participate, with the skills and knowledge they have (sounds a bit like the old Chinese system). Merit, could be the new "currency" in a future society (that's where I get the Trekkies on my side).

We need an "Architect" as leader, who isn't an expect but see the big picture, surrounded by trustworthy people who are experts and have expertise and knowledge, to provide input into that big picture. King Arthur, is the mythological equivalent, maybe an Artifical Intelligence the futuristic counterpart, to bring in Camelot 2.0. The leaders we want, are the ones, who actually don't want to be leaders, just like the best Heroes are the reluctant ones. We need King Arthur, any of the Greats, Alfred, Alexander, Ashoka or Peter; Maria Theresa or Joseph II to thrown in some Austrians, or Pericles or Socrates, not Biden or Trump (or Kurz).

So here it is vote for me as your reluctant architect (and future world dictator), who everyone will despise, it will be the last vote you ever need. All your actions will be tracked via a mandatory handy phone app or your in home smart electronics, so don't think you can avoid "voting" for me either ;-).