It is a pity there isn’t a vaccine against stupidity — but if there was, those most in need would no doubt refuse on the grounds of their right to remain so.
As the person whose letter to the editor kicked off the latest outburst of Covid-19.
views, may I repeat the unarguable reality of the deaths per head of population around the world.
Yes, there are many different figures available, and one must be careful to avoid the mistake of comparing one set of statistics with another unrelated set.
My letter used the then-current World Health Organisation figures, but this figure differs from our Ministry of Health death total by quite a bit. MoH — 4119 versus WHO — 2716.
The difference becomes even more confusing when there are figures for “Covid-related” deaths, and deaths “directly attributed” to Covid.
The Ministry of Health identifies deaths attributed to Covid at 2736 (as of Sunday, April 30), which is just over the figure WHO has. But . . . the MoH also has two other figures, one of which the editor used.
This was the number of cases where death occurred within 28 days of being reported — 4119. This figure does not attribute Covid as being the “cause” of death.
The other figure is deaths where Covid IS officially identified as the underlying cause — much lower, at 1723.
I do not wish to waste time or words on those who are impossible to convince.
I repeat — the simple fact of matching death toll to population shows that what we did in New Zealand — however objectionable to some — resulted in far fewer families mourning loved ones.
Good luck to those who are still in an age where they believe eating garlic and strength of will can prevent death by virus.
Roger Handford
