COVID-19 Model Predicts Death Toll Against Economic Recovery
The University of Pennsylvania has updated its COVID-19 model numbers based on a variety of scenarios. These range from remaining in full lockdown to reopening immediately with no social distancing.
Like with all models, the numbers are predictive and since the pandemic began, models have constantly been wrong, amended, then wrong again.
The updated model includes both death rates and impact on the economy. First up are the death toll projections:
- If states fully reopened without restrictions, the model estimates 5.4 million would be infected and there would be 293,000 deaths by July 24.
- If the nation reopened fully but followed social distancing there would be 231,000 deaths by July 24.
- A partial reopening, which is what’s going on right now, the model predicts 173,000 deaths.
- If states stuck to a strict lockdown there would be 156,000 deaths.
In comparison, the Washington Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation has a model that forecasts 144,000 deaths by August 4. There is also a model from the Influenza Forecasting Center of Excellence, which has projected deaths will surpass 113,000 by the middle of June.
As shown, models vary.
At the time of writing, the nation has currently suffered over 93,000 tragic deaths.
CHECK OUT: Watch Gov. Ron DeSantis land knock-out blows on the mainstream media’s narrative against Florida.
The Steve Sanchez Daily Rant: Listen Now
Subscribe: Apple / Google / Spotify / Stitcher / RSS
New COVID-19 Model
The reason the University of Pennsylvania model is of interest is that it also considers the impact of reopening the country on the American economy.
This is how each scenario will impact the GDP and job market:
- If states fully reopened without restrictions, the GDP would be down by 0.7-percent, and employment would come down by 4.7-million by July 24.
- If the nation reopened fully but followed social distancing, the GDP would be down by 3.3-percent, and employment would come down by 4.1-million also by July 24.
- A partial reopening, which is what’s going on right now, the GDP would be down by 4.2-percent, and employment would come down by 1.3-million.
- If states stuck to a strict lockdown the model estimates the GDP would be down 6.4-percent, and employment would come down by nearly 300,000.
At the time of writing, the nation has 36-million Americans unemployed, so even if the country reopened fully and ignored social distancing, employment wouldn’t return to pre-pandemic numbers for a long time. It is that forecast which is the most worrisome so far.
It’s a difficult decision the government has to make, life or economy? For many, both are intricately connected.