"COVID-19...contributed to a mortality rate in 2020 that was lower than it used to be every single year prior to 2008."
As I read the figures (https://tinyurl.com/9pt53zt9), the UK's age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) in 2020 was actually lower than in every year prior to 2009 (not 2008)!
"COVID-19 arrived in the UK after an extended period of unusually low mortality"
This might be read as suggesting that ASMR was abnormally low in the last decade and, thus, might reasonably be expected to rise. However, as I look at that ASMR from 1942 to the present (https://tinyurl.com/h3sacutb), what I see is a steady decrease over time. So I don't think ASMR was "unusually low" in the last decade. Rather ASMR in the last decade simply reflected the steady decrease over time.
In which case, the increase in ASMR in 2020 is a big deal if you simply look at that year in isolation. But, I think the same argument may apply to the UK as it does to Sweden. That is that the high deaths in 2020 were in (large?) part a reflection of the mild flu seasons in the previous two years.
I am an English teacher in Sec School in Spain. Last year a History colleague and me collected the same data for Spain and it was quite similar as in Sweden.
In spite we'd let other teacher read the data they wouldn't believe it, but all the data were official.
There is no way. Screens are stronger than reason. If you would want to have them let me know.
Jose - thank you for taking the time to read the essay, and for your comment. I would be very interested in seeing your research. Please email me at sweden_essay.richlyon@spamgourmet.com
Sweden is also pushing the vaccines. My daughter is a hairdresser there and her salon are asking for vaccine status in order to direct customers who ask to the right staff. Not quite the utopia you are describing.
Thank you. I'm not describing Sweden as a Utopia. I'm merely noting that, in 2020, and with *no* vaccines, one cannot tell clearly from inspection of its mortality data that it had Covid. Nor am I arguing against vaccination, merely against compulsory vaccination. Meanwhile, from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (10 September 2021): https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/covid-19/covid-19-faq/vaccination/ "All vaccinations are voluntary in Sweden, including vaccination against COVID-19. If you are offered a vaccination against COVID-19, you will be able decide for yourself, based on the available knowledge of the disease and the vaccine. You will also be given information about the vaccine before you need to make a decision."
The decision like the UK is not mandatory, however, the coercion is happening there too. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to ‘avoid’ vaccination, even if you, like my daughter have had Covid.
Another excellent article.
"COVID-19...contributed to a mortality rate in 2020 that was lower than it used to be every single year prior to 2008."
As I read the figures (https://tinyurl.com/9pt53zt9), the UK's age-standardised mortality rate (ASMR) in 2020 was actually lower than in every year prior to 2009 (not 2008)!
"COVID-19 arrived in the UK after an extended period of unusually low mortality"
This might be read as suggesting that ASMR was abnormally low in the last decade and, thus, might reasonably be expected to rise. However, as I look at that ASMR from 1942 to the present (https://tinyurl.com/h3sacutb), what I see is a steady decrease over time. So I don't think ASMR was "unusually low" in the last decade. Rather ASMR in the last decade simply reflected the steady decrease over time.
In which case, the increase in ASMR in 2020 is a big deal if you simply look at that year in isolation. But, I think the same argument may apply to the UK as it does to Sweden. That is that the high deaths in 2020 were in (large?) part a reflection of the mild flu seasons in the previous two years.
https://www.jbs.cam.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/wp2003.pdf
Dear Richard
I am an English teacher in Sec School in Spain. Last year a History colleague and me collected the same data for Spain and it was quite similar as in Sweden.
In spite we'd let other teacher read the data they wouldn't believe it, but all the data were official.
There is no way. Screens are stronger than reason. If you would want to have them let me know.
Jose - thank you for taking the time to read the essay, and for your comment. I would be very interested in seeing your research. Please email me at sweden_essay.richlyon@spamgourmet.com
Sweden is also pushing the vaccines. My daughter is a hairdresser there and her salon are asking for vaccine status in order to direct customers who ask to the right staff. Not quite the utopia you are describing.
Thank you. I'm not describing Sweden as a Utopia. I'm merely noting that, in 2020, and with *no* vaccines, one cannot tell clearly from inspection of its mortality data that it had Covid. Nor am I arguing against vaccination, merely against compulsory vaccination. Meanwhile, from the Public Health Agency of Sweden (10 September 2021): https://www.folkhalsomyndigheten.se/the-public-health-agency-of-sweden/communicable-disease-control/covid-19/covid-19-faq/vaccination/ "All vaccinations are voluntary in Sweden, including vaccination against COVID-19. If you are offered a vaccination against COVID-19, you will be able decide for yourself, based on the available knowledge of the disease and the vaccine. You will also be given information about the vaccine before you need to make a decision."
The decision like the UK is not mandatory, however, the coercion is happening there too. It’s becoming increasingly difficult to ‘avoid’ vaccination, even if you, like my daughter have had Covid.