Why is Covid-19 treated different from flu? An Excellent Question

Capitol Considerations by Senator Micheal Bergstrom

Why is COVID-19 treated different than the flu?

I have often been asked why we are behaving differently toward the COVID-19 virus than we do the seasonal flu. After all, tens of thousands tend to die each year in the United States from the flu.

I consider that to be an excellent question, not just because it was the first thing I wondered when we began hearing about this virus, but because it points us to the heart of this pandemic.

For the flu we have three important things: testing, treatments and vaccines. Without those, our flu season would often be an even more terrible season of death.

Here is what we didn’t have when COVID-19 hit America: TESTING, TREATMENTS AND VACCINES.

Another thing we are missing is data, and we are still missing a lot of this. Part of this is because China lied to the world about the danger of this virus and how it is transmitted. They also continue to lie and cover up the extent of the epidemic in their own country.

As we look across the world, we have seen hospitals overwhelmed because governments failed to act quickly. Death rates have escalated quickly as supplies, hospital beds and ventilators ran out.

That is what we are trying to avoid here in the United States and in Oklahoma.
We do know that Covid-19 is far deadlier than the seasonal flu. (See comparison chart.)

President Trump took extraordinary measures to mitigate virus spread in our nation, beginning with the travel bans instituted in January. He was initially insulted and mocked for these actions, but now is being accused by the same folks of not acting fast enough. 
(And yes, President Trump is correct in calling for an end to the restrictions as quickly as possible, to reopen our businesses, get our citizens back to work, and return our economy to running on all cylinders.)

Governor Kevin Stitt began ratcheting up restrictions in Oklahoma in hopes of flattening the transmission curve of the virus among Oklahomans, and he has been working with the State's agencies to get our healthcare system prepared and properly supplied, and able to know who has been exposed to the virus.

One of the things we need now is widespread testing to determine all who are infected and all who are recovered. As we have been able to acquire test kits, Oklahoma has ramped up testing, with about 1,970 positive tests as of April 12, but also about 21,000 negatives. This is good news. While it is too early to make any general determinations from this, it does suggest we are moving in the right direction. It would seem that the vast majority of Oklahomans are free of the disease. It also means that we are probably catching a large percentage of those who have the virus (but not those who have fully recovered and didn't know they had it.)

TESTING:

More tests are arriving. Plus, there is a new antibody test which will let us know who has had the virus, perhaps without even knowing it.

Why is this Important? If you have had the virus, you are now immune and safe to be in the community and work. Recovered patients can also donate blood plasma, which can be used to treat up to three people who are seriously ill with the virus.

TREATMENTS:

There have been some experimental treatments that appear to be working, like chloroquine combined with antibiotics, as well as the plasma treatments I just referenced. Other “off label” drug treatments are also showing promise. There are other possible treatments also being developed, like synthetic antibodies.

VACCINES:

There are currently two vaccines beginning human trials in America, and there are more coming. Researchers at OU Medical Center are also working on a vaccine. This is extraordinary. Oxford University's vaccine could be ready as early as September.

MOVING FORWARD:

Once we start receiving significant empirical evidence and data, which is starting to come in, we need to reevaluate how our governments have responded to this pandemic. Those who have immunity need to go back to work right away. The restrictions in place need to be lessened and/or removed as quickly as possible.

I am hopeful that as we receive more robust testing and data, our nation and state will be on the way to recovery. However, until then, the focus must be on protecting the lives and health of Oklahomans.

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