This newly promoted corona virus infection, supposedly emanating from China, has been compared to SARS, also caused by a corona virus.

What was the total death toll reported from SARS?

“According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a total of 8,098 people worldwide became sick with SARS during the 2003 outbreak. Of these, 774 died. In the United States, only eight people had laboratory evidence of SARS-CoV infection.” (SARS Basic Factsheet, CDC)

Influenza can lead to more deaths in the USA alone, but the deaths are mostly due to other complications.  

“56,979 people died of “influenza and pneumonia” [in the USA alone] in 2013. That’s a scary number. And putting the word “influenza” first insinuates that flu is the primary cause of death. But…in reality, only 3,697 died of the actual flu. The other 53,282 died of pneumonia.” (Constitutionalhealth.com Health policy )

In reality, no one is able to aggregate the total of people who have influenza or who die from it. The CDC numbers are estimates.

Lots of rumors and fears are spreading about this particular corona virus. The highest production of death syndrome is likely from the harm to the economy, the panicked evacuations of people, spread of other diseases, and unnecessary stress. In other words, the media is causing unnecessary harm and even deaths in order to sell copy or clicks on ads.

May we be blessed with the ability to keep things in perspective, avoid panic, and preserve our general good health.