4 chapters across the catalog
Global Death Rate, Harvard Infection Projections
The WHO reported a global death rate of 3.4% for COVID-19, noting it was deadlier than the seasonal flu. A Harvard expert provided a projection that 40% to 70% of the world's adult population could eventually be infected. The expert noted that many cases might be asymptomatic, which would lower the overall fatality rate among the total infected population.
A 2007 investigative report by CBC's Kelly Crowe revealed that official flu death statistics in Canada are based on mathematical models rather than actual body counts. The report found that deaths from heart and lung disease are often categorized as "possible flu deaths" to encourage vaccine uptake. The hosts use this to illustrate long-standing issues with the veracity of public health data.
Criticism of the Imperial College COVID-19 Model
Dr. Giesecke criticizes the Imperial College report that led to Boris Johnson's "180-degree turn" and the UK lockdown. He points out that the paper was never peer-reviewed and relied on flawed assumptions that have since been heavily criticized. The hosts conclude that the world has been misled by "bullshit" mathematical models rather than actual science.
Harvard Expert Predicts Massive Global COVID-19 Infection Rates
Dr. Marc Lipsitch of Harvard University provided a startling projection to CBS News, estimating that 40% to 70% of the world's adult population could be infected by the coronavirus. The hosts perform calculations based on these figures, suggesting such a scenario would result in millions of deaths in the United States. They express skepticism regarding the accuracy of these mathematical models compared to seasonal flu data.
