Coronavirus spreads. But don't panic! (topical thread)

[jerry mcmasters]

But you're expressing this as if that was what I was attempting to do.

No. You  asked me if your formulation was mathematically correct:

But was my point correct?  Mathematically?

You brought that angle up and asked me if it's correct, mathematically; that is the context you provided. I was simply answering your question in your chosen context.

Mathematically, the particular point I was making, which is one but not all of the variables, is completely accurate.

There are other factors that play into these casualty counts besides the political leaning of the state in question. As a rough guideline, sure, you might have a point, but there are more variables than this, which means I don't think the solution can be accurate.

I asked you because you challenged me on my point.  If you challenge someone on the particular point they are making, it is then a bit discussion-corrosive to assert they are wrong because it doesn't fit the point they are not actually making, i.e., I never asserted I was accounting for all variables.  Obviously there are many variables to such a complex situation.  Obviously the solution can't be accurate with only my opening bit of analysis, but my opening bit of analysis (political leanings of states in question; numbers of) is correct to then go forward with other variables and more complete analysis.