Majority of the population smokes cigarettes as well.
They do have a notably older pop but 7% is just too high for justification given the data elsewhere. That total cases denominator has to be higher than they have been able to measure.
I really question the rates simply because everyone that gets sick doesn't get tested. For the most part probably only those with the worst progressive symptoms get tested, which of course would yield a higher rate.
Older age and overwhelmed hospitals are the two biggest culprits. Probably a mix of the other things you mentioned as well though. I expect the real mortality rate to end up being somewhere around 1.5% with anyone over 60 being significantly higher numbers.
Not sure about the average age, but a lot of people in China smoke as well. It is weird to go into a company meeting room and have people smoking. Of course I am old enough remember when that happened here too.
The population is also majority located in really dense cities. That has to burden the hospitals much more. I think the fact that we are so spread out with so many large hospitals even in smaller cities should help the overwhelm the healthcare system factor. Think about all the hospitals in places like Augusta, Savannah, Athens, etc. And it is like that in every State. Italy has a few Atlanta’s and that is where everyone lives. My guess is there are not a lot of hospitals outside of the major Cities.
Their hospitals are overrun. They are under the nightmare scenario. People did not take it seriously and now they are having to decide who to save.
Agreed but I do take comfort that someone on this board who lives there has said life is returning to normal somewhat. Regardless of the figures I can’t imagine they would allow folks to return to normal life if the crisis weren’t almost over in their minds. They may be liars, but they are interested in their own preservation.
