In the flattening of the curve diagram, wouldn’t both curves represent roughly equal populations? So only the peak changes, not the overall total?

Question

I guess this could be considered mathematics or economics, really, it is statistics.

In: Mathematics

Answer 1

That is exactly true if you discount advances in testing, tracking, treatment, prevention, and vaccination. For practical purposes, those variables are indeed discounted in today’s curves. There is the hope however, that the end total will be reduced by delaying the curve. That hope becomes more realistic and reasonable the more we delay the curve.