An estimated 80,000 Americans died of flu and its complications last winter, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.If 80,000 Americans died in terrorist attacks last year, we'd be under martial law, there would be concentration camps holding everyone who ever said anything bad about El Presidente Cheeto.
First and foremost, get a fucking flu shot, people. Even if it's only 20% effective, if you do get the flu, it'll be of less intensity. 20% protection isn't anything to sneeze at. Wash your hands after being in public places (or take George W. Bush's advice and use Purell).
When it comes to the butcher's bill, context matters. 80,000 dead from the flu, 37,000 in car crashes merit a big "meh". Less than 3,000 dead in 9-11 merits years and years of clothes-rendering and sacrificing civil liberties (not to mention being afflicted with Rudy Giluliani).
'Tis an interesting comparison.
ReplyDeleteMuch like gun deaths. the actual number doesn't matter as much as the method.
I had not realized that the Flu took that many lives directly.
Flu (and pnumonia) are 8th on the top 12 causes of death in the U.S., averaging about 58k, and diabetes checks in a 7th with 79k (that's averages, thou). Accidents are 4th at 136k. Suicide checks in at 12th...
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