Some 224 thousand deaths from covid would have been avoided with a different management of the pandemic

At least 224,244 deaths from coronavirus would have been avoided in Mexico, if the federal government had handled the health emergency differently, revealed the Independent Investigation Commission on the covid-19 pandemic.

“The high number of deaths is not entirely explained by the situation of the health system, demographics or pre-existing health conditions in Mexican society such as diabetes or obesity.

“Through a mathematical analysis, it is estimated that at least 224,244 lives would have been saved if there had been a different management of the pandemic.”

In a statement, the commission – made up of a multidisciplinary group of researchers and chaired by Dr. Jaime Sepúlveda – reported that it is carrying out an exhaustive investigation into the management of the pandemic.

And he noted that some of his preliminary conclusions were that the federal government made the following errors:

• “Failed decision-making process”
• “Scientific evidence ignored”
• “Deceptive use of data”
• “Abandonment of health personnel”
• “Lack of protection of popular sectors and vulnerable groups”

In this regard, the commission explained that the governance and management of the crisis was characterized by a failed decision-making process, “which included excessive personalization, persistence in error, as well as the rejection of deliberation and scientific evidence.” .

He added that government communication was affected by the minimization of the seriousness of the situation.

“The misleading use of data, the pseudoscientific justification of political decisions and the decision to manage society’s perception, instead of managing the health crisis to avoid infections and deaths as much as possible.”

The report also maintained that before the pandemic, the health system was segmented and in a precarious financial state.

“These weaknesses in the system were exacerbated by regressive reforms and an erratic policy of underexercise and spending cuts, which reduced its ability to respond to the crisis.”

In socio-economic issues, the independent commission highlighted the lack of protection of popular sectors and vulnerable groups due to the lack of economic stimuli, the pronounced increase in family spending on health, “as well as the impact on mortality, orphanhood and life expectancy, which ended affecting lower-income people more.”

You can also read: It cannot be ruled out that the covid-19 virus was created in a laboratory: Study

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