Responding to Dick Riethmiller’s letter, I am appalled but not shocked, at his callous disregard for human life (“
Stating that only about 5% of people who get COVID-19 die and most of them are old or otherwise health impaired is stunning. Lacking in his personal analysis is the fact that nearly 20 out of every 100 people require hospitalization and another 20 to 30 become so sick that they are forced to stay home (much worse than normal flu). A significant percentage of these 40 or 50 out of 100 people who survive a more serious reaction may have long-term lung and organ damage as a result.
I would ask anyone who thinks this pandemic is no big deal and some sort of media induced scare tactic the following question: Out of every 20 people you personally know, are you willing to pick six who get so sick they have to stay home for weeks and result in potentially having lifelong scarring in their lungs? Out of those same 20 people, are you willing to pick four to go to the hospital and one of them to die? How about living with throwing one out of every seven older parents you know under the bus?
That is the reality behind the known numbers for this disease, and it is definitely not nonsense to the majority of informed Americans. Please take precautions, wear masks and socially distance.
Steven ThibodeauxIgnacio
