Posthumane, thanks for a rational response. Good points, and justifies a proper reply.
First off, I am far from a statistician. I've had to use modelling and population economics in the past in some genetics studies, but stats can be utterly bonkers to try and reign in the more levels you add. You know the expression about stats!
I wouldn't say taking the face value statistics from the ICU is crude, it's simply unadjusted or interpreted, because of the fact that it simply "is". It's the end result. There is no prediction or bias in the sample group. It encompasses everyone in the population from neonatal units to geriatrics, so there shouldn't need to be a correction of any kind unless I'm misinterpreting your point.
Since the ICU percentage really is the end result of what the efficacy of vaccinations should represent, it should just be as simple as ICU True/False and Vaccinated True/False, compared to the population. And since, in our health care system, there isn't a bias or barrier in the sample group, it should be an accurate cross-section and theoretically should yield a near 0% residual.
The ironic part, and why I hate statistics, is that the mere fact that the sample group, as a first order result, is .003% of the population, and data from that size could be rendered irrelevant depending how you look at it. I got a rough margin of error around 6%, but I feel that might be too low. I also forget off the top of my head as I'm writing this on a break how to do a correlation, not just instances, which will change the efficacy based on the pure numbers a bit. Enough to make your head spin.
Regardless, I'm standing by my own opinion, based on my own observations on published data, and peer-reviewed studies without funding or beneficiaries from any pharmaceuticals- and no wacko third party sources or websites. Yes, immunization absolutely has an positive effect, but I don't personally believe the benefits justify this insane division we've created amongst ourselves. It's utterly tragic the rhetoric and vitriol from "both sides" (Ug). We need to be a bit nicer, this will hopefully be long gone in a year and there doesn't need to be lasting scars from our own actions.
Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and ability to govern themselves in whatever way necessary to feel safe. I absolutely won't ascribe my opinions onto anyone else, hurl any insults or give those received any credibility. I'm merely describing how I've arrived at my own conclusions in recent months.
Cheers.
