COVID-19 virus is still scary
When Doctor Li Wenliang reported the new virus early in January, China arrested him and forced him to sign a paper stating that the virus does not exist. He later died from this non-existent virus. Before he died, Doctor Li quoted Bible verses about being on his way to meet God, whom Communist China also claims does not exist.
COVID-19 is still scary, with a lot of unknowns. Outside of China, it has a 2.8% death rate, six deaths out of the 213 cumulative cases 14 days earlier (the average time to death is 14 days). This mortality rate is 28 times worse than the flu. The numbers are even worse in Chinese reports. Deaths/(deaths+recoveries) currently yields a mortality rate of 13.7%, but China does not have much credibility.
This month (over 18 days) the cases in the U.S., Singapore and Japan have been growing around 10% per day. Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam have been growing at around 6% per day. Maybe the second group are not reporting as well or maybe it is growing slower because it is warmer there. Singapore is very warm, but they are wealthy, so they use a lot of AC with the windows shut, which makes it worse.
At current growth rates, the U.S. would have around 16,000 cases by the end of April, which would result in around 430 deaths. This is still a small number compared to the flu. Also, the growth should slow with the warmer weather. However, if it keeps growing next year, we could see millions of deaths in the U.S., unless we get a vaccine.
With so much at stake, a vaccine is likely to be developed. Hopefully, we will not see millions of deaths from COVID-19. However, this virus seems far more dangerous than any other new disease over the last 50 years.
Mark Beeksma, Koloa
Pedestrians beware on Koloa bypass
Please be aware of a dangerous situation on Ala Kinoiki, the eastern Koloa bypass.
I drive that road five to 20 times a day, night and day, all hours. The condition of the road, specifically potholes (mahalo to Scott Suga and his CofK crews for their recent Bandaid repairs) and cracks have forced drivers to make their own path of avoidance. This leads to drivers being forced to drive on the shoulder outside the lane, outside of the solid white line.
Don’t lie. Lots of us do it.
Additionally, I am now observing vehicles driving on or near the double yellow since the condition of the outer lane has deteriorated. This has all the makings of an accident that has not yet occurred. Please don’t blame/ticket us locals who already have a difficult time making ends meet who make their own path to avoid dangerous road conditions (front-end alignments and repair work are expensive).
Rather, fault the road conditions.
Ryan Buhk, Koloa
