Originally Posted by
Octave
Deaths would never be reported as caused by "old age" in any reporting. Elderly people who die of heart failure, stroke, flu, COVID...etc. died from those events; their age made them more susceptible to those insults, but it did not cause their death per se.
As for your commentary on the severity of COVID to the general population - are you aware of the long-term costs of this pandemic? >30% of non-hospitalized COVID infections result in lasting symptoms at 6 months, and for hospitalized patients the symptoms of long-COVID are apparent in >60% according to some studies. Speaking purely about death is a hugely misleading way to discuss this pandemic. At 240+ million cases and counting, we're talking about 100+ million people with chronic hypotension, cognitive problems, cardiovascular issues... heck even Spain has nearly 5 million cases now. Aside from the 87,000+ people who have died there, that leaves millions with lasting symptoms that may prevent them from functioning properly in their work, their family and home life, and as a general participant in society. Compare this with something like influenza, which kills ~650k in a BAD year and has far fewer and less prevalent tangible lasting symptoms for survivors (even those with severe influenza), vs. the nearly 5 million dead from COVID in less than two years and many millions more with debilitating symptoms 6-9 months out...
I'm not sure how that severity has been overstated.