CNBC's Rick Santelli said in order to reduce the economic impact 'we should just give everyone the new coronavirus'
- A CNBC host said everyone should be infected with coronavirus to quell fears that have impacted the economy.
- Rick Santelli claimed the death rate would be the same as if quarantine measures were in place.
- The US has more than 329 million citizens, so far only a little over 230 people have tested positive for the new coronavirus.
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CNBC's Rick Santelli suggested everyone should get the novel coronavirus because the current panic is negatively impacting the economy.
Santelli appeared on CNBC's "The Exchange," where he iterated he was "not a doctor" but made a comparison between the generic flu and the coronavirus that causes the disease known as COVID-19.
"All I know is, think about how the world would be if you tried to quarantine everybody because of the generic-type flu," Santelli said. "Now I'm not saying this is the generic-type flu, but maybe we'd be just better off if we gave it to everybody, and then in a month it would be over because the mortality rate of this probably isn't going to be any different if we did it that way than the long-term picture, but the difference is we're wreaking havoc on global and domestic economies."
COVID-19 has flu-like symptoms including fever, cough and trouble breathing. Business Insider's Holly Secon broke down the differences between the novel coronavirus and the flu. In part she wrote:
According to the CDC the flu has caused "12,000 - 61,000 deaths annually since 2010." With the current global death rate of 3.4% of the coronavirus, millions of Americans could die from the virus if everyone were to be infected. (It's important to note that he death rate is likely to drop as more mild cases are counted.)
Globally, the virus has infected more than 98,000 people and killed over 3,300. The US has reported 12 deaths, most of which happened in Washington state among more than 230 confirmed cases.
Many in the US are nervous about the spread of the virus and are stocking up on cleaning supplies and food in case of a quarantine. The CDC has had several obstacles in testing people for the novel virus, from faulty test kits to a strict testing criteria that overlooked potential cases.
However, officials have warned the public not to panic but rather increase personal hygiene practices like proper handwashing to protect themselves.
Santelli did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider.
- Read more:
- The latest coronavirus death rate is 3.4% - higher than earlier figures. Older patients face the highest risk.
- Trump argues 3.4% death rate from coronavirus is 'false,' citing a 'hunch' in claiming it's far lower
- The US has reported 12 coronavirus deaths among at least 221 cases. Here's what we know about the US patients.
- The CDC has broadened its coronavirus testing standards so that more Americans showing symptoms can get lab tests