The Oregon Health Authority reported more grim news. "Today's cases are the highest number reported on a single day since the start of the pandemic in Oregon. The high number is a stark reminder of the need for the new measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 announced yesterday by Governor Kate Brown." While the Oregon Health Authority breathlessly reports a record number of cases, it glosses over the fact that we recently set a new record -- for number of tests administered in one day -- 7,745 on October 29 eclipsing the previous record of July 13 when there were 7,697 test administered.

For a state that has among the lowest case rate and death rate, the official rhetoric would make you think that the state was in the grips of a fatal pandemic. Despite reporting every death that has multiple contributing factors as a COVID-19 caused death -- 12 out of 13 of the most recent deaths had contributing factors -- the chances of an Oregonian of dying of COVID-19 are infinitesimally small. In fact, all metrics are stable: Hospitalizations, hospital capacity, deaths -- you name it.

There may be several reasons for the rise in reported cases.

• More tests are being administered, therefore more cases are being identified.
• Tests are being administered to people more likely to have the disease, therefore more cases are being identified.
• The disease is spreading more rapidly, therefore the rise in cases reflects the spread of the disease.

One final point: One of the factors aiding the spread of COVID-19 is the fact that it can be spread by asymptomatic carriers. Let that sink in. We've crippled our economy and deprived our youth of education for a disease that's so deadly that it can be spread by people who don't even know they have it.




--Staff Reports

Post Date: 2020-11-07 17:57:50

Last Update: 2020-11-07 18:48:06