I think it's a real pandemic with hospitals , being stressed to the max .
I don't think a Covid virus has anything to do with the gold standard . It's a real virus.
Thank you for your sincere, honest answer, but, I don't find it credible. Sorry.
Look at the breakdown of hospital patients.
It's not Covid.
Here in my state our hospitals typically operate up to 72% capacity for 3-4 months out of the year, for the last 8 years.
During Covid they reached 78% for 3-4 months of the last 18 months.
Covid patients make up 18% of the ICU beds. Not all have Covid, many are there for observation due to symptoms. They have to house them in ICU due to risks of contamination.
Think about that.