The problem with all the conspiracy theory stuff is that the opponents say that our governments wouldn't lie to us and the theorists claim that they are. But whilst of course of governments would lie to us (they just wouldn't call it lying), that doesn't mean they are.
people are dumb. that includes most of us (here come the ratings). having information and knowing how to use it/what to make of it are 2 different things. for example early on in the thread when the bioweapon idea was still floating around, it was pointed out that the purpose is not to kill all your enemies (because it has a good chance to fuck you over too), but to
incapacitate them. it's an easy victory when the majority of the enemy troops are puking their guts out and shitting blood, you can wave any command structure goodbye. same thing here - and arguably worse, because the civilian population isn't drilled for it and doesn't have rigid hierarchy to follow the policies and procedures, if they even know or care about it in the first place.
so yes, governments only tell you what the average citizen needs to know. because the minutes they say "well, it's a pandemic" half of them will look it up on their phones and shit their pants, the other half will shit their pants regardless because they heard a scary word and all hell breaks loose. and it also means the population of other countries.
in the end they have to care (somewhat) about the population at large and how it's affected on a grand scale with a carefully measured response, that's why OMG TRUMP SHOULD'VE ISOLATED THE COUNTRY THE MINUTE SOMEONE COUGHED IN CHINA posts are beyond retarded.
and yes, you could argue that there is personal gain involved (it always is), but do you really want trump to lose his second term because he was too "honest" and "proactive" and put some of those DNC speds in charge? fuck no
dude's also a germaphobe, he's clenching his buttcheeks harder every time someone coughs around him than most here ever will, so there's that too
So my logic is that either (a) it's harder to work out its contagiousness / dangerousness than a lay person like me thinks; (b) our governments are aware it's not that bad but are afraid of looking like they're not doing anything or being blamed for it if they underestimate things and are over-reacting despite knowing it's not that big a deal; or (c) Corona-chan really is Bad News and they're downplaying it to keep people and the markets calm.
we only know what we don't know. different strains as mentioned seem plausible with the different behavior and how people are affected. all we can look at the timeline of china: shit started apparently end of october/november and only exploded really january/december, and no one knows the current state thanks to china. given shit in the west only started mid/end of february it will probably take till end of march/early april till we have a better picture. so things are gonna get worse (but I'm a pessimist anyway).
mortality is probably even harder to nail down with all the factors involved. so the only thing you can do (and what they can tell you) is minimize risk of exposure and try not to infect others if you suspect you're affected - which is what common sense would tell you, but we've seen how that worked out.
even if it only kills 2% or lower - why risk being one of the lucky winners?
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