We’re Not Ready for the Next Epidemic (2015)
What frustrates me is how hard it is to make people understand this is a very serious matter.<p>R0 = 2.2 and CFR = 2.5%<p>It only takes ten minutes on Excel to understand the potential horror those numbers represent.<p>How do you communicate this to an audience that is mathematically inept to the point that calculating tip at the restaurant is hard work?<p>The best I’ve come up with is to say that, starting with one person, under ideal conditions, this could infect the entire world population in a month. OK, yes, ideal conditions, I know.  How else do you drive the point about exponential&#x2F;geometric growth?<p>I’ve had the conversation with a few people.  It’s amazing to me how many of them were completely dismissive.<p>Is it that hard for average folks to understand?  Ignorance is bliss?