Deaths by numbers

At what point do the number of people that have been impacted or died as the result of an event have importance and we notice?

I recall an occasion when discussing the institutional abuse of children, when numbers were being compared with the Catholics and Salvation Army, that we were fortunate having such low numbers.  My response, “One is too many.”   Unfortunately, only one probably wouldn’t rate any notice, and it did take vast amounts to attract attention and action.

We may read of a storm in China and more than 1,000 killed.  We just turn the page.  We then read of a storm in our city and one person killed by a falling branch.  Now we are concerned.  In this scenario, distance has a part to play in identifying with the numbers.   China is too far away, but if one is killed by a branch in my home town, that could have been me.

The Advertiser reported last week that the number of persons killed in South Australian roads so far in 2021 is 92.   When I think of all the things that are in place to make driving safe, this staggers me. They include:

• only those who have undergone training and received a licence can drive;
• to drive while under the influence of drugs, drink or distraction is illegal;
• we must wear seatbelts to protect ourselves and reduce harm to others involved in any accident;
• vehicles are fitted with many safety features from braking, lane detection, etc.

and yet we have 92 deaths so far.  But where is the outrage?  The press?   The media campaigns to improve our road awareness and safety?   What does the medical profession have to say about the long-term impact of those who do not die, but are injured?

On the other hand, in South Australia to date, the death toll from COVID-19 stands at four (4). But what a contrast to the impact of road deaths as it relates to our personal level of concern and that of government and the medical profession.

Have we become immune to the tragedy of road deaths?

The Royal Commission into the Suicide of Returned Service Personnel is currently receiving submissions, and the numbers are now in the upper hundreds.   Are we concerned about this?  I personally don’t know anyone so impacted, or at least I don’t think I do, so it is hard to get engaged.  But I should – this is a community issue, after all.

It all just goes to show that numbers really don’t seem to matter much in determining our ability to identify with the issue.  It really seems to get down to how close it is or can be to us at a personal level for us to say, “I care”.   But to care for others is a prime reason for our existence. It is a privilege to care, and there should be more of it going around in all areas of life, regardless of the numbers.