It doesn't make sense to say it's not about death rate but about death numbers, isn't that about the same thing? One is a number of deaths associated with Covid, the other is the percentage of number of deaths. The virus is already out, no one is going to stop it, but why should we be locked up when you have a 99% chance of survival? That's my point. Tell me what other pandemic have we ever been locked up for? Even the death numbers have to be questioned as it seems EVERYONE that dies, regardless of the reason who tests positive with Covid is being counted as a Covid death. Add to that, if the majority of deaths are people above age 70, or individuals with other health issues like heart disease, lung problems ect, then it's fair to say that it is NOT lethal to over 99% of the population. If your scared, by all means, stay home. Me, I'm not scared. I know several people who have had Covid. All of them were under the age of 60, and really most of them felt nothing, or like they had a cold. I'm 56 and diabetic, so I guess theoretically I have a higher chance at death if I catch it.
My point was only to say your point didn't make sense. It's about death numbers, as the virus and it's reactions/spreadability in total make more sense than if you get it and die. Your comparison would make more sense if you and your friend both went into an infectious disease tanks, one with Ebola floating and one with Coronavirus floating. I'm guessing you'd be more willing to go into Ebola, knowing damn well you probably aren't even going to get it to begin with by just sitting there.
Here's my first point, I don't give two sh*** if you think wearing a mask is uncool or inconvenient, and I'm not going to tell someone they have to wear a mask. However, the death rate is dropping because older people are social distancing more. The median age in Florida alone for Covid has moved from 65 to 35. But why, why do people social distancing, those in nursing homes, etc have to be put at more risk because some refuse to just wear a mask out in public. With the virus spreading like wildfire, at some point, more and more caretakers at nursing centers are going to get it and pass it to those more susceptible, who are doing the safe thing.
Second point, it's not just about death rate for many of us. It's about the possibility of being down and out for weeks. I've got two young children at home, who will take care of them if I and my wife get sick. Our parents, being high risk can't, so who? That's another problem.
Finally, from a personal standpoint, my view is much different. In Chicago, I've had 13 friends/known people who have gotten the virus. 5 of those, literally had nothing. The other 8 were pretty sick. when I say pretty sick, I mean down and out for 10 days plus. 5 of those 8 were hospitalized at some point, and 2 died. The two that died were 51, and 33. Neither had underlying symptoms, I played basketball with the 33 year old regularly, he was extremely fit, and the 51 year old was his dad. Bottom line, I don't know shi* about this virus. I don't, I admit it. I don't believe any of the numbers coming out, from either side. All I know, is from my personal perspective on this, this virus is confusing as hell. Who do some get sicker than others, why do some die? Why are some not feeling anything?
6 months down with this virus and the information is still different every day, that's why I wear a mask. We just don't know. I don't know if there are different strains of the virus, more prone people, long lasting effects, etc.