Ahhhh... but which numbers? Are all the numbers even being counted the same way? ...the same way as two months ago? This is where the ethics of journalism, science, the economy, and politics hits the fan.
We know some states like Texas have officially changed the way patients are counted. If you finally go in to get that elective surgery you've been putting off, you will be tested before admittance. If you are asymptomatic but test positive that you have or have had the coronavirus... you get counted as a COVID-19 hospitalization. You aren't sick, you aren't contagious, you aren't in the hospital for any coronavirus-related reason --- but in some states, some systems, you are now an official number.
Who else is counting that way? Is Tennessee? Is Hamilton County? Is the Erlanger Hospital system? How do we know?
Consider how ambiguous the opening sentence from a local news provider is: "The number of coronavirus patients in Chattanooga hospitals has risen to the highest level yet - 71. That includes 37 from Hamilton County."
Citing "the number of coronavirus patients in 'nooga hospitals" is not necessarily the same as the number of patients admitted to 'nooga hospitals because of coronavirus, or admitted with coronavirus symptoms, or even as capable of transmitting the coronavirus. Technical differences for sure, but differences which would paint radically different pictures of where we are and what we should be doing.
Based on the numbers, is Chattanooga a COVID hotspot?
That "number of coronovirus patients in 'nooga hospitals" sounds like yes. But then it says 37 are from Hamilton County. Does that mean the other 34 are from inside Chattanooga city limits? Or are they from outlying counties? Chattanooga hospitals serve counties from Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. Are those 34 patients "with" coronavirus from different states? If so, are they showing up as numbers in both states simultaneously?
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As I said, this is where the ethics of journalism, science, the economy, and politics hits the fan. Facts can be compiled and communicated without the taint of agendas--but truth has to be your only agenda. It can be left for we citizens to interpret and decide.
Whatever we individually believe, and whether your top concern is having a college football season (no insignificant matter for the economy, as well as the fabric of our society), opening the grade schools, or protecting your own life if you have predisposing conditions... we are going to have to demand clear answers to questions if we are going to maintain our liberty to make our own life decisions. And have a football season.
