I'm seeing an increasing phenomenon of trolling types asking, "But how many are asymptomatic?" in response to news of Covid outbreaks on university campuses & elsewhere. They seem to think it's some kind of trump card. It's not. Here's why:

First, as we (should) all know by now, being asymptomatic does not mean that a person isn't carrying Covid-19 and exposing others to it. Asymptomatic = not having a fever, feeling ill, or having other symptoms. It does NOT mean "safe" or "completely unaffected."

In some ways, asymptomatic folks are more of a danger to their communities than symptomatic ones. This is because they're less likely to get tested, and may go about their regular lives, spreading the virus while being completely unaware of it.

This is why widespread testing is critical; we need to identify who is infected but asymptomatic in order to prevent those folks from spreading the virus to others. Asymptomatic folks can still transmit the virus to the immunocompromised, the elderly, & others in high-risk groups

Second, having an asymptomatic case does not mean that an infected person has escaped Covid-19's worst effects scot-free. There is growing evidence that asymptomatic infected individuals also experience some of the really terrible, long-term effects of the virus.

It is possible that people who had asymptomatic cases will experience heart trouble, long-term lung damage, and other issues that are the same as those experienced by some symptomatic Covid patients.

tl;dr Being asymptomatic is not "less of" a Covid case or something we shouldn't be worried about. Asymptomatic cases pose dangers for community spread & high risks to those infected. Saying, "But how many are asymptomatic?" is pushing an argument that is not based in reality.