As with the more common flu, it is always much worse and most of the deaths occur with the elderly and the very young, or with those whose immune systems are already compromised in some major way.
As is often the case, the reaction -- or massive OVERreaction -- is often more dangerous than the original event.
The figure I quoted is from the head of the WHO and is not restricted to 80-year-olds, although age is a risk factor. That risk factor starts at age 65, not 80. The statistics you present indicate that 65+ is still in an elevated risk factor zone. Given that I passed 65 a while ago, that difference is personally meaningful, even though it may not matter to you.
Having said that, everyone should understand that the mortality rate for covid-19 is under debate. The Washington Post had a story today about early estimates of mortality for new viruses compared to their eventual mortality rates. First, they noted we don't have a good idea on the total number of people infected, the denominator in calculations of mortality rate. Next Tom Frieden, a former director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and New York’s health commissioner, indicated that he expects the eventual mortality rate to be no higher than 1% and perhaps significantly lower.
You may remember I recently argued with another poster who claimed the mortality rate was 60%. I disagreed with that poster for using a faulty denominator in obtaining his estimate.
A 1% mortality rate is only 10 times worse than the seasonal flu. Again, it could be considerably lower.
We live in a free country. It won't surprise me if many people decide not to go to activities they might otherwise engage in. Wall Street is worried about that. This will affect share prices. I have no idea how big or how long this impact will last, but fear can be a powerful force in our economy and many are afraid now.
Personally I'm not particularly concerned about covid-19 in Vietnam. If Quang Nam gets into a lockdown situation, that is where the problem would start. So far, not many danger signs.
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