What is the greater risk?

In an article published by the American Psychological Association in March 2018, the US suicide rate was 12.1 / 100,000

In the year of 1920 - 1928 (great prosperity) the US Suicide rates was, you guessed it, 12.1/100k.

However, in the great depression, the rate spiked as panic and collapse gripped the US.

1929 18.1 Shmoop (50% increase over base)

1930 to 1940 14.2 Shmoop (17% increase over base)

1932 Spike 22.1 CDC (83% increase over base) - I could not easily locate CDC data for each year.

If we calculate the single year increases for ’29 and ’32 separately, then use the 14/100k to the remaining years and apply these increases to our current population of 331 million, we would have 66,000 MORE suicides in the next 4 years assuming we collapse our economy to the same extent. If the collapse lasts as long as the great depression, then we are looking at 119,000 ADDITIONAL Deaths over the normal suicide rate.

These stats of additional deaths don’t include potential increase in violent deaths triggered when people get desperate and have lethal fights over who knows what – toilet paper!

Remember, "The person is smart. But people are dump, panicky, dangerous animals and you know it!". Agent K - Men in Black

Lastly, gun purchases…? They have surged 69 to 179% depending on what state (The Guardian - 3/16/20) as people rush for possible protection. Protection from what you ask. From the Virus? No. Protection from you!! I share this as we may be quickly creating a greater threat to both the economy AND HUMAN LIFE by our reaction to the virus than the Virus itself.

I want us all to be safe AND Smart. In the Great words of FDR, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”