Since the time of this recording (last Thursday), several previously unhealthy U.S. coronavirus patients have died, but the upshot remains the same.
The worldwide mortality rate for influenza is around .1%, sometimes a bit more depending on the strain, but influenza spreads widely so the dead number in the tens of thousands in the U.S., hundreds of thousands worldwide. Every year. For COVID-19, the mortality rate is currently just under 2% on a low rate of infection. This is expected to improve dramatically as governments respond more appropriately than some have in the past and people spontaneously act to protect themselves and others, e.g. by self-quarantining (staying home) as many people do now when they have the flu. It is far more practicable now for many people to work from home than it was only a few years ago.
Dr. Oz is also taking the occasion to be a proper MD:
Dr. Oz has excellent credentials as a cardio-thoracic surgeon. I wish that he'd stick to medicine instead of the popular baloney he sells on his regular show.
That said, I stopped the video before he begins talking about how to protect yourself on an airline flight. His advice is problematic. A better solution is simply not to go, especially if you're medically vulnerable to begin with. If you don't have to fly in the next few months, just don't. Your trip can wait.
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