Covid In Yakima -The Right Kind Of Response Demands Accurate Info
Let's talk about Covid-19.
And let's make a distinction about the public's understanding of the reason for hospitalizations and I'll give you an example as to why that's important.
Remember Bengahzi
The example comes from American political history. Here goes.
Question - Who says something like, "What difference, at this point, does it make"?
Answer - Hillary Rodham Clinton, Secretary of State, 2016.
She said those exact words when asked about the motivation for the attack on the U.S. embassy in Benghazi, Libya. (um, This isn't Covid Dave, what gives? Stay with me and you'll see.)
In her testimony, Clinton was trying to downplay the idea that the motivation for the attack mattered. Of course, it really did, because the real reason for the attack contradicted the Obama administration's stated position on the state of terrorism heading into his second term election on a narrative that middle eastern terrorism was no longer a threat. In other words: Hey Public - Terrorism is NOT a threat -so calm down -and vote for me..again!
What Difference Did It Make - Lies Presented As Facts
We were lied to about the strength and volatility of terrorist groups in the middle east. We were told they were just the "junior high team" in order to reassure the American people/voters that middle eastern terrorism was under control - when it was not. The administration lied and told us the attack wasn't organized but instead was spontaneously motivated by the online appearance of a disrespectful anti-muslim video. It wasn't. It was an organized terror attack that killed Americans including our ambassador. How could that happen if terrorism was on the ropes?
So at that point, what difference did it make? The lie was used to distract us and an attempt to keep us calm long enough for Obama to be elected for a second term on a narrative that said terrorism was under control.
How does all this relates to Covid hospitalizations?
The connection is the same--the NEED for accurate information to the public so that the American people can react in the proper proportion to the true risk of Covid as represented by the number of reported hospitalizations.
There is a significant difference between the number of people in the hospital because of Covid -19 symptoms and the number of people in the hospital for any of a variety of other reasons (accident, injury, scheduled procedures, other illness) who just happen to test positive for Covid-19. (it's like comparing Covid deaths to people who died of multiple co-morbidities who also happened to have Covid)
Right now, without more accurate information, it sounds like the seriousness of Covid-19 is packing our hospital and if true, it is reason enough for a greater sense of public concern. BUT, if the Covid-19 virus is just riding along with the person who slipped on ice and broke their leg resulting in hospitalization, then that lessens the concern about the nature of Covid. Do not needlessly panic the public.
Why Don't We Have The Information?
I'm not suggesting that anyone in the medical community is intentionally withholding accurate information as the Obama administration did. But what I am saying is the public can better assess real risks with real information and right now, for whatever reason, that distinction is not readily available.
Yakima County Commissioner Amanda McKinney is pushing for the County Health District and Hospital to provide that kind of information as she explained in a conversation with the KIT Morning News.
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