[ufo]

The lack of limitations is part of the problem. We're currently at the highest number of COVID cases and deaths but despite that there is a lot of resistance against the government implementing a lockdown, in large part because the federal government is run by science-hating lunatics.

The most horrifying recent news is that hospitals around the country are running out of sedatives used for COVID intensive care. There have been reports of intubated patients waking up from sedation and having to be tied down to their beds to keep them from ripping out the air tube. It's inhumane.

(Link warning: shocking images) https://www1.folha.uol.com.br/equilibrioesaude/2021/04/nas-u...

[ArkanExplorer]

But what guarantee is there that lockdown would prevent this?

Peru has had strict lockdowns, but their COVID deaths are about the same as Brazil, when adjusted by population size.

The same in Europe - Sweden actually has fewer deaths than strict lockdown countries.

Wouldn't it be simpler for Brazilian society to just properly fund and manage healthcare (which it sounds like is the primary problem) rather than ceasing most economic, public, and social activity as part of lockdown?

[ufo]

Intensive care units are at over 90% capacity in most of the country, even after taking into account the recent expansions in the number of beds available. Even if we had all the money in the world, there are not enough doctors to take care of the current volume of COVID patients. At this point, secondary measures to reduce the rate of new infections are the only way to try to avoid a total collapse of the healthcare system.

Sweden is also not a good example of against lockdowns. https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-prageru-sweden-...

[ArkanExplorer]

COVID deaths per capita:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1104709/coronavirus-deat...

Brazil has fewer COVID deaths per capita than Czechia, Hungary, Belgium, Slovakia, Slovenia, Italy, UK.

These are all countries that have had strict lockdowns and have modern healthcare systems.

This would suggest that Brazil is doing well and that their current approach is justified.

Brazil is now entering the Winter of the Southern Hemisphere, whilst Europe and North America are entering Summer - which also adds a seasonal element to comparisons.

Aren't ICUs meant to be used to capacity? Why would hospital planners build ICUs that aren't going to be used?

What about looking at general public health improvements, such as improving air quality (by increasing the price of coal and oil products, and encouraging EVs) and reducing obesity (by taxing sugar) - which will have benefits beyond this current epidemic - given that obesity and cardiovascular health are major comorbidity factors for COVID severity.

[ufo]

It's hard to believe that you are arguing in good faith if you're trying to suggest that Brazil is anywhere close to doing well when it comes to COVID.

[ArkanExplorer]

Peru has lockdown - they were one of the first countries to initiate it, in March 2020.

Brazil does not.

The results in both countries are basically the same, when using COVID deaths per capita as the primary measure.

How can you conclude logically that Brazil's no-lockdown approach is a failure?

Its not realistic to compare to East-Asian countries which are in many cases wealthy islands with strong borders and homogenous populations.

Lockdown interrupts regular medical care and worsens the health of the existing population, from things like decreased activity and poorer diets [2]:

[1]https://news.sky.com/story/coronavirus-lockdown-may-have-ind... [2]https://time.com/5949263/pandemic-weight-gain/

[johnwalkr]

I don't even know where to start. Even though you're lucky to be able to work from home, it sounds like you're taking on a lot of burden to keep those around you safe.

Rather than compare countries that did horribly or slightly less horribly, I would give several counterpoints from Asian countries that took strict but short measures early on and have now been living free without dying for it. Waste of time in this thread though. I hope you be OK soon.