Bureaucracies and Mortality Rates

Good Morning and Welcome to this week’s Gospel and Culture update, by Alan Vink

Monday 7th September, 2020

Bureaucracies
POV. I am a ‘bureaucracy sceptic’. A bureaucracy typically refers to an organization that is complex with multi-layered systems and processes. These systems and procedures are designed to maintain uniformity and control within an organization. A bureaucracy describes the established methods in large organizations or governments.
Frankly it’s a conundrum. To be an effective organisation you need policies, systems and procedures. But if you are not very careful these systems can take a life of their own. Bureaucracies create power structures and relationships that discourage dissent. People are often afraid to speak up in this type of work environment particularly if it involves bad news. ... Bureaucracies centralise decision making and force compliance with obscure rules and procedures.

In this helpful and short article, Former Deputy Chief Economic Advisor at the Treasury, Tony Burton, examines how the bureaucracy fails to serve the politicians in an article called, “How government departments really work – Explaining the border control debacle”.

COVID19 Mortality Rates
A frequent question around the reporting of COVID mortality rates is, “can I believe the mortality statistics when death certificates list other underlying conditions”?

Here is the answer from the CDC. “The fact that other causes are referenced doesn’t mean that the patients did not die from coronavirus”, Bob Anderson, chief of mortality statistics at CDC, said in a statement.
“In 94% of deaths with Covid-19, other conditions are listed in addition to Covid-19. These causes may include chronic conditions like diabetes or hypertension,” Anderson said. “In 6% of the death certificates that list Covid-19, only one cause or condition is listed."
“The underlying cause of death is the condition that began the chain of events that ultimately led to the person’s death. In 92% of all deaths that mention Covid-19, Covid-19 is listed as the underlying cause of death," the statement added.

POV. Let’s say I have a 12 year old daughter with Asthma. She contracts COVID19. Unlike other 12 year olds she is more vulnerable to any virus especially one that affects her respiratory system like the coronavirus. Sadly, she doesn’t fare well in fact she dies. She died of COVID19, surely? If she hadn’t contracted the virus she would still be alive. Therefore as Christians the loving thing to do is to take every ‘proven’ health precaution so that my daughter, my father, my grandmother or whoever do not contract this deadly virus?

Personally, I am pleased that most New Zealanders are doing their best in this regard. I am saddened and troubled that a small percentage of folks are into alternative theories and pontificate about health and science topics they no little about.

There are NO copyright restrictions on this email update. Got some feedback about this Update, or anything in the news? Would you like us to cover a story then drop me a note at alan.vink@leadershipworx.org.nz Alan is Executive Director of LeadershipWorx and blogs here.