[TazeTSchnitzel]

> the number of confirmed cases in the US and other Western countries is simply a function of the number of people tested

Well, it is at least partly a function of that, no? If you aren't tested then your case may not be reported.

[TheAdamAndChe]

I'm in Missouri. I've been sick for the past few days, then overnight obtained a pretty bad dry cough. I called the local urgent care, and they basically told me that they've got to rule absolutely everything else out before testing for coronavirus, requiring a respiratory panel that would cost over $4k.

I'm staying home and self-quarantining, but am I being counted? No. I'm willing to bet there are thousands of others like me in the US in a similar situation.

[makomk]

Partly, but it's quite a weak effect. The UK had been testing much more aggressively than a lot of European countries, but our number of positives has been pretty much what you'd expect considering our distance from Italy.