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July 07, 2020
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New research coming out of New York may help pave the way for policymakers looking for fact-based guidance on how to re-open the U.S. economy.
In these uncertain times, people are struggling to find their footing as new information about COVID-19 presents itself daily. Rather than providing reassurance, the constant barrage of content seems to have muddied the public’s perception and understanding of the disease. Now more than ever, people are looking for answers.
Media outlets and task forces have done their best to keep the public informed in this constantly shifting information landscape. A recent article in the Atlantic, entitled “Why the Coronavirus is So Confusing,” provided a comprehensive guide to the ongoing pandemic.
In the article, author Ed Yong explored a number of topics ranging from the virus, to the disease, to the research, etc. But towards the end, Yong speculates that the modern world and its future will continue to hang in the balance while the present remains uncertain.
One way to ground ourselves in reality and collectively plot a path forward is through facts — cold, hard facts that speak loudly and clearly.
FTI Consulting conducted a study looking at the prevalence of underlying health conditions among COVID-19 deaths in New York City. What the team discovered, definitively, was that among the 5,742 COVID-19 deaths reported by New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (as of April 11, 2020), at least 77% of the deceased patients had data available pertaining to underlying health conditions.
These findings have huge implications for policymakers and regulators. As we’ve seen in recent moves in many states to open the economy back up, debate about future health implications is fierce. By understanding which groups of people are most at risk during this pandemic, leaders can provide more targeted public health care guidelines and defend their decisions adequately as we try to return to a sense of normalcy.
© Copyright 2020. The views expressed herein are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of FTI Consulting, Inc. or its other professionals.
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Published
July 07, 2020
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