There's a story making waves in the mainstream media this morning. It seems that there was a swim party in Arkansas last week at which the high school students at the party passed the corona virus to each other. It created a new "hot spot" in Arkansas. The media also is quick to point out that unlike most other states Arkansas did not (gasp!) ever have a stay at home order issued by the governor who, of course, is a Republican.
When you hear that news, what does it make you think?
Now consider the actual facts. In the last week, the number of new cases in Arkansas averaged in the 150 -160 per day range. The previous week the average was in the 110-120 per day range. Overall, the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic in Arkansas has been about 5500. In Connecticut, by comparison, the average number of cases in the past week has been about 500. That's down from the norm a few weeks back of more than 1000 new cases per day. Overall, there have been over 40,000 cases in the state. I mention Connecticut because it has a population just slightly larger than Arkansas. Oh, and by the way, Connecticut had a very stringent stay at home order which remains in effect.
Comparing Connecticut and Arkansas, one finds that the virus was a much bigger problem in CT. CT had eight times as many cases. CT had about 35 times more deaths than Arkansas. So does that mean that stay at home orders resulted in more disease and many more deaths? If you were a member of the media, that is what you would conclude. After all, the tiny increase in cases in Arkansas is point out at proof that the state needed a stay at home order.
Why must the media twist stories to fit their narrative?
When you hear that news, what does it make you think?
Now consider the actual facts. In the last week, the number of new cases in Arkansas averaged in the 150 -160 per day range. The previous week the average was in the 110-120 per day range. Overall, the total number of cases since the start of the pandemic in Arkansas has been about 5500. In Connecticut, by comparison, the average number of cases in the past week has been about 500. That's down from the norm a few weeks back of more than 1000 new cases per day. Overall, there have been over 40,000 cases in the state. I mention Connecticut because it has a population just slightly larger than Arkansas. Oh, and by the way, Connecticut had a very stringent stay at home order which remains in effect.
Comparing Connecticut and Arkansas, one finds that the virus was a much bigger problem in CT. CT had eight times as many cases. CT had about 35 times more deaths than Arkansas. So does that mean that stay at home orders resulted in more disease and many more deaths? If you were a member of the media, that is what you would conclude. After all, the tiny increase in cases in Arkansas is point out at proof that the state needed a stay at home order.
Why must the media twist stories to fit their narrative?
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