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Comment by JAlexoid | Hacker News Reader

US didn't have a reliable test for SARS-Cov-2 virus till just over a month ago.

Deaths per capita is "fun" considering that you're comparing Netherlands to all of US. US actually has a lot of ICU beds... And yet New York State has a higher death rate per capita than Netherlands. (similar populations, btw)

US has been doing as bad as Italy in certain areas - notably the poorer areas of NYC have been hit harder, than the wealthier. (Which is literally the opposite of Italy, where the wealthier north got hit hard)

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The US also got hit pretty late, yet is taking it the worst. The extra time could've been used to prepare - everyone in this comments section wants to compare to Europe, but there's a much better reference point sitting on America's border. Canada took it seriously from the start, and despite having a greater diaspora that might transmit the "Chinese virus" into densely populated areas, has had a flatter curve, a less catastrophic economic impact on individuals, and most importantly a far lower morbidity.

The big problem with comparing directly to europe, is not only the timing but the demographics. Italy was hard hit because they have a lot of old people. Canada already has a lifespan 4 years longer than America's, which if you think about it is probably better proof that America is failing than most of the article.

You could drill down further.

In the wealthier north of Italy, was it the wealthier areas or the poorer areas that got hit hardest?

Probably the closest comparison would be the US to the whole European Union. Similar sized population, a broad a mix of left/right leaning states, some more affluent than others, that are largely operating independently.

About two weeks ago the EU was around 800k cases and 57k deaths, the US is there now and at 40k deaths - so maybe doing better, but possibly could have been a lot better if the Fed Gov had taken charge early.

But we don't know precisely how many non-hospital deaths have occurred in either case. They estimated the UK was out by 40%, and Wuhan added 50% to their total recently.

Northern Italian here, from the fringes of the first red zone. Basically the two areas which where hit hardest, Bergamo and Codogno, where hit along political lines.

Codogno has an "hospital" which is basically a glorified asylum (and is often considered one of the worst asylum in Italy). It was not equipped to deal with anything serious and basically it was considered and hospital only in order to avoid spending money on other infrastructures.

Bergamo, on the other hand, is one of the economical centers of the country and the regional government delayed action under the pressure of the industrial establishment, until national government stepped in.

Many citizens of Lombardy knew that our healthcare system (which is regional competence) was a disaster waiting to happen and still suspect our regional government is lying in order to cover their failures.

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