More or Less: Behind the Stats Questioning claims about Covid and children
Feb 16, 2022
The podcast dives deep into the actual risks Covid-19 poses to children, revealing that many hospitalized kids have pre-existing conditions rather than severe symptoms. It questions sensationalized statistics and contrasts alarming predictions about the Omicron variant with the less severe real-world outcomes. The discussion highlights the statistical literacy gaps among MPs, showcasing how misunderstandings can impact public health decision-making. Lastly, it emphasizes the need for precision in scientific terminology, particularly in complex topics like nanomoles.
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Misleading Child Hospitalization Statistic
- The "one in 100" statistic of child COVID-19 hospitalizations is misleading.
- Many hospitalized children test positive incidentally and have mild or asymptomatic cases.
Child Mortality During the Pandemic
- COVID-19 deaths in children are small compared to other causes.
- Measures to prevent COVID-19 also reduced deaths from other respiratory illnesses in children.
Inaccurate Omicron Predictions
- SAGE's COVID-19 models predicted far more hospitalizations and deaths than occurred during Omicron.
- The models didn't fully account for Omicron's reduced severity and public behavior changes.