Letter to the editor: Don't minimize covid-19 deaths with creative math

In reference to Ralph Ignasky’s letter “Do the math and open up Pa.”: There is a difference between math and statistics. The Centers for Disease Control and health departments across the nation provide data that correlates with the morbidity rate and the mortality rates. Ignasky’s math was correct, but how does he know how many recovered, how many are long haulers and the positivity rate?

Gov. Tom Wolf executed the shutdown according to counties. The rural counties with less population and many less covid-19 cases than the more populated counties have been green since May 23. At that time, he accelerated the opening of all counties according to morbidity rates.

Ignasky should be concerned about Westmoreland County. According to the county website, the population is 347,191, and 43,082 residents were tested for covid-19. That is only a 5% testing rate. Of those tested (2,122/43,082), 4.9% tested positive. Fifty-one residents who tested positive died, a mortality rate 0.01% (51/347,191 x100).

Is the mortality rate low? Yes, but please don’t minimize the death of 51 residents with creative math. Masks and social distancing by all residents can help to open up Pennsylvania — this includes those at large gatherings.

Anita Leonard

Greensburg