We published a must-read summary of the situation in India by Prof Ramesh Thakur, former Assistant Secretary General of the United Nations, on @LD_Sceptics this morning. You want context? Read this thread. 1/6

First, India’s Covid deaths yesterday were 2,163 (seven-day rolling average). India’s average daily death toll is 25,000 from all causes. 2/6

Second, despite this surge, as of now India’s Covid mortality rate is 140 dead/million. This compares to 401 for the world average, 1,762 for the US, and 1,869 for the UK. It puts India 119th in the world on this, the single most important statistic for comparison purposes. 3/6

Third, the crux of the problem in India is not the proportion of cases and deaths from Covid. Rather, it is the lack of a fit-for-purpose public health infrastructure and medical supplies of equipment and drugs. 4/6

Fourth, although Government neglect of public health while prioritising vanity projects like building temples and statues, etc. is a contributory factor, the real cause of a poor public health system is poverty. Put bluntly, poverty is the world’s biggest killer. 5/6

Fifth and finally, this is why a strong economy is not an optional luxury but an essential requirement for good health.

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