I have not seen those numbers but regardless, ARDS is not the only morbidity we need to worry about.
What if, of the 10% of hospitalized cases, half of those patients permanently lose a noticeable portion of their lung function? Not supplemental oxygen dependent but can’t walk as far or exercise the same way they could before. That’s a major life change for a huge number of people, when you extrapolate it out to the entire world.
The threat of minor but permanent disability should not be ignored, especially in those who spent weeks on a vent.
