Days ago, CBS News was caught red-handed trying to manipulate public perception of the pandemic.

It was “reporting” on the COVID-19 outbreak in New York City and aired video of a supposedly overcrowded NYC hospital.

But there was one major problem: CBS News was using footage from a hospital in Italy, not New York.

This kind of nonsense is completely unethical, and it exacerbates the problem. And it got me thinking about what is really happening across the U.S. and, of course, in New York.

I called on people in my network who are working in the health care industry from California to Washington, D.C. What I heard may surprise you.

Some hospitals now are running at 50% capacity or less. Almost all elective surgeries have been postponed. The workload has dropped so dramatically, they are sending workers home early each day.

The New York City area is an exception. After all, about 20% of all U.S. confirmed cases are in the NYC area. And as of this writing, New York has just reported its largest one-day virus death toll. This level of human suffering is heartbreaking to see. And I don’t mean to diminish the pain the world is going through by what I say next.

I’ve gained some insights regarding the NYC health care system.

Last week, I was on a call with a pandemic expert from Johns Hopkins University. He commented that NYC is unique due to its very high population density compared to the rest of the country.

He also said that some NYC area hospitals went offline in previous years with the result that “NYC hospitals are almost always stressed.”

He explained that “NYC hospitals almost broke during the 2017–2018 flu season.” For reference, about 61,000 people died during that flu season.

But here was his most interesting comment: The “rate of hospitalization in NYC is decreasing every day.” It is decreasing, not increasing. In many ways, this makes sense.

After all, COVID-19 was spreading exponentially from January through early March pretty much unfettered. Based on the data out of Iceland, more than 99% of those who have COVID-19 are asymptomatic or have mild or moderate symptoms requiring no care.

And Dr. David Price from the Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City stated that of those who come to a hospital thinking they have COVID-19, only about 1–3% need care. The majority of those go on ventilators and recover in 7–10 days.

This is such a different reality from what I’m seeing from the mainstream media.

I’ll tell you what I make sure to do every day since my travel has been dramatically curtailed… I make an effort to get sunshine, fresh air, exercise, and good rest. These are all critical things that help boost our immune systems.

Here I am with a good “friend,” a 20 kg (44 lbs) kettlebell.

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Last week involved 200 kettlebell swings and 100 push-ups. Not bad after just getting out of my sling in January after my shoulder surgery in mid-December.

I’m beginning to see the light at the end of the tunnel for COVID-19.

Best wishes to all.

Jeff Brown
Editor, Exponential Tech Investor

P.S. For us as investors, this has presented a unique opportunity…

The panic around COVID-19 has taken its toll on stocks. The S&P 500 is down more than 20% from its recent high. Airlines, restaurants, and cruise ships are struggling. But for one technology, demand is soaring.

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