Table 3 shows the types of health conditions and contributing causes mentioned in conjunction with deaths involving coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). For 6% of the deaths, COVID-19 was the only cause mentioned. For deaths with conditions or causes in addition to COVID-19, on average, there were 2.6 additional conditions or causes per death. The number of deaths with each condition or cause is shown for all deaths and by age groups. For data on comorbidities,
Oh, and this… when thinking about kids returning to school.
What does this mean? This means that this is a serious disease that disproportionately impacts those with serious underlying health conditions. This is particularly concerning for elderly people who are more likely to have an underlying health condition.
As a matter of public policy, we should be encouraging sanitary and behavioral actions to limit the spread of disease and take particular care for our elderly and sick people. It does not mean, however, that we should shut down our economy or strip people of their civil liberties. This is a serious health concern that needs some attention. It is not something for which we should abandon our way of life.