I don't believe that the CDC ignores the seasonal flu numbers in the comparison to Corona virus. Major issues with Corona that are cause for concern:
1. We have no experience with Corona...therefore no acquired immunity as with flu. As yet there are no proven treatments, and no vaccines to help prevent or reduce the impact of the disease.
2. The flu season is spread out over many months through the country due to the impact of the vaccines and immunities (both innate and acquired). The Corona is hitting areas like a wave. In effect, with the flu we have already "flattened the curve."
3. Because we have this flattened curve of people coming down with the flu, there is little worry that the medical system will be overwhelmed with patients needing treatment and ventilator hospital beds. With Corona, the wave of patients that are in need in the NYC Metro area will or is happening (e.g. New Orleans and Atlanta) at other large cities. The numbers will be lower in smaller communities, but their ability to handle the rapid rise in the numbers requiring treatment is also lower.
4. And because the sickness does not occur immediately, the ability to infect others is greatly increased with Corona...and then there's the fact that while the sickness does not occur quickly, the symtoms do.
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