Covid-19 currently leading cause of death in USA

[JS87]

In the last week covid-19 overtook heart disease as the leading cause of death in the US

www.webmd.com/lung/news/20201206/covid-passes-heart-disease-as-top-u-s-killer

The situation is looking pretty dire in the US currently

That's a bit inconvenient for the 'it's only flu' virus deniers

And tragic for those who are dying and losing loved ones.

USA is really not very good sometimes at pulling together as a community, and it is community action that is required. A spirit of independence and prizing individualism is going to make it harder to take the consistent steps that rein in the individual for the common good of breaking transmission chains

Guessing a lot of these deaths (and deaths generally) are higher due to the high health costs
It’s very sad tho

@DirtyBlonde

That's a bit inconvenient for the 'it's only flu' virus deniers

And tragic for those who are dying and losing loved ones.

USA is really not very good sometimes at pulling together as a community, and it is community action that is required. A spirit of independence and prizing individualism is going to make it harder to take the consistent steps that rein in the individual for the common good of breaking transmission chains

Spot on. I notice this attitude from my US family. They are individually very lovely, hard working people but very much of the 'help yourself and your family' mentality.

Yes, it's been one of those times when individualism and all it brings hasn't really worked.

I think it also became very political with regards to republicans and democrats and rules around mask wearing etc.

Yes it seems in the US the political divide is as polarised as our own brexit experience was/is. Weird times!

I haven't looked on Worldometres for a while, but I will take a look. So sad back at the start I remember Sky news talking to ER Dr saying he spent every day hooking people up to ventilators just for them.to die and he had done that 20 times in that day alone. People getting into ICU too late I think?

It must be extremely insulting being a US citizen who lost someone to covid listening to "it's just the flu" politics

Back in the summer it was also “it hardly kills anyone.....”

Last time I looked, the UK had a higher rate of deaths per million people than the US. So we aren't doing much better.

Yes, just checked. We have 920 deaths per million, US has 891.

Both pretty shit.

It's all rather grim.

Our county in the US has just moved up to red alert (high risk of community transmission). The county judge however did not issue any new orders. Red alert means stay home and only essential travel/appointments for leaving the home. But nothing has changed, schools open, restaurants open, a large gathering planned in our city this weekend that he was specifically asked about - personal responsibility he said. Advised to Limit gatherings to 10 or less and maybe a zoom christmas. Yeah, that’s not working. As PP have said, it’s an “I’m alright Jack” kind of place, no thought for the community.

My state is divided into Covid 'regions' and mine has just fallen below the threshold (ICU bed availability) and will be going under a 'stay at home' order tomorrow at midnight. No gatherings of any kind, no visiting other households, essential trips only, restaurants take out only, and non-essential businesses are supposed to close. Retail outlets will be 20% capacity only. Strict mask wearing indoors and out in public places.

The problem is that none of the county law enforcement agencies, or indeed county health offices, will actually enforce the order. It would be up to to someone to report offenders (businesses, not individuals) to the State Occupational Health Dept and hope they have time to send out a team to investigate.

Yeah, that’s not working. As PP have said, it’s an “I’m alright Jack” kind of place, no thought for the community.

Not sure where you are in the US, @HerRoyalNotness , but you're absolutely right.

@AlexaShutUp

Last time I looked, the UK had a higher rate of deaths per million people than the US. So we aren't doing much better.

I’d be interested to compare our leading causes of death then and why they might be different. I’ve found ONS data for week ending 27th nov and 24% of deaths mentioned covid with covid being the cause for 86% of them.

@AlexaShutUp

Yes, just checked. We have 920 deaths per million, US has 891.

Both pretty shit.

I think it's pretty certain that the US will overtake us again, due to their number of cases and pressure on their hospitals. Today was a bad day with over 3000 deaths.

My OH had a confirmed case in his office of 7 people,, went for the test (negative thank god) but was told he can still go to the grocery store/pharmacy while in quarantine. Tbf no supermarkets round here deliver