80% OF NEW INFECTIONS IN MALAYSIA COME FROM THE UNVACCINATED
August 18, 2021•311 words
This post mentions vaccination, so it will probably be shadow-banned and a disclaimer should appear below it if shared on big social media.
Nevertheless, it's not primarily about vaccination, but it's more about maths and media programming.
I will entertain comments about maths and media but not about antiantivax. Talk about numbers, not feelings.
How much do you trust the media?
A week or two ago, I came across an article shrieking that 80% OF NEW INFECTIONS IN MALAYSIA COME FROM THE UNVACCINATED.
It was accompanied by an alarming pie chart that showed an 80/20 split, looking like good ol' Pac-Man taking a big chomp.
My immediate reaction was to think, "Hmm, I wonder what the percentage of unvaccinated Malaysians is... 80%, perhaps?" 🤔
This crucial bit of context was entirely missing from that article.
Anyway, fast forward a week or two to today, and I see that the rate of vaccination now is 34.9% (with 53.4% partially vaccinated):
https://www.msn.com/en-my/news/national/nearly-29-million-vaccine-doses-given-almost-35-of-population-double-jabbed/ar-AANrfcE?fbclid=IwAR0iaVsSU4iC8vj1KDDNU-Z9uJniYiO2B5GSdYRoXsTGp1crSwE_rlN5SJE
Which means that about 65.1% as of today remain unvaccinated.
Which means that a couple of weeks ago, it's quite likely that approaching 80% were unvaccinated.
Which means that if 80% of new infections came from the unvaccinated population, who make up 80% of the general population, the rate of infection is about the same for the vaccinated and unvaccinated.
This is where you come in with the "vaccines aren't just meant to prevent infections, they reduce symptoms" argument.
I have never heard vaccines described this way before 2021.
(The WHO has also changed the definition of "herd immunity" on their website from natural immunity due to infection and recovery, to vaccine protection.)
Anyway, ask questions. Always ask questions.
Although asking questions like this could make one a domestic terrorist in the US, if certain lawmakers get their way.
Have you felt something is "off" with the world, lately?