ING 2/2: "What scared people about SARS is....>

CHINA: ING 2/2: "What scared people about SARS is the mortality rate. In the UK

in 2019, three times more people died of flu than normal, but still, the total

was only 135 deaths from a total estimated infection of over 35 thousand (total

population 65 million). That is a mortality rate of less than 0.4%, and normally

it would be far lower. Put into context, your chances of contracting and dying

of SARS, were statistically far less than of dying of regular flu. But the

response of the population of countries where there was a perceived greater

risk, was huge. Presumably, the reasoning was, if I do get it, the odds aren't

great. People didn't take public transport, stayed away from work, stayed away

from shops, restaurants, cinemas, conferences etc. The impact from the disease

was massive on the economy, but almost all of it indirect, due to the

precautionary behaviour of the population. Cases of Wuhan flu have now risen to

more than 300, though researchers at Imperial College, London suspect that the

numbers may already be north of 1700. I'm no doctor, but I do think I understand

human nature well enough to realise the potential for another economic hit to

growth from this source."