Covid and lock downs in a nutshell

[Anonymous]

Americans will need a vaccine passport in order to travel to Europe this summer.



More than one year after the European Union shut down nonessential travel from most of the world, the bloc will reopen its borders to American tourists this summer. There's one catch: those tourists will have to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen told The New York Times.

I expected this.

[Anonymous]

The "experts" are far from perfect and must be challenged. Fauci has been wrong many times and there are many epedemiogists who disagree with him who have been solenced. This is not science.



Steve Deace on 'Faucian Bargain': Second Opinions About COVID-19 Denied to Americans



Americans are being denied access to key information about COVID-19 by unelected bureaucrats who seek to expand government power and control, warned talk show host and author Steve Deace, whose new book "Faucian Bargain" recently topped Amazon's bestsellers list.



"The two main objectives of our health care system—informed consent and second opinions—were denied to us at COVID," Deace said in an interview with The Epoch Times' "American Thought Leaders," adding that much of the data presented in his book has not been communicated to the American public by Dr. Anthony Fauci, who leads the nation's pandemic response.



"For example, if the average American knew that almost half of the deaths in America with COVID occurred in nursing homes where less than one percent of Americans live, we would have never ever gone along with this level of subjugation," Deace told host Jan Jekielek. "These are the sorts of data points that have been kept from the American people, so they have not been given the right to informed consent."



Deace moved on to cite a variety of "counter experts" from prestigious institutions such as Stanford and Oxford Universities, who "got kicked to the curb" because of their skepticism of one particular COVID-19 model used to justify lockdowns that severely affected people's lives.



"We were told to trust the experts," he said. "Why weren't we permitted to get second opinions from counter experts, before we decided to risk a huge drop in cancer screenings, 40 million unemployed, 20 percent of American small businesses that are never going to return, on average, across the country?"



Deace then highlighted an apparent lack of controlled scientific studies proving the effectiveness of masks. He noted that while no domestic studies used a random controlled sample of unmasked people, a Danish study did and found that wearing a mask doesn't significantly reduce one's chances of contracting the virus.



Deace also pointed to an April 2020 study published by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Following angry outcries calling for the paper's retraction, the authors were forced to add a lengthy statement explaining how they came to the conclusion that masks are not effective in helping to lower the spread of the virus.



"Then there's now a disclaimer, where they basically apologize to the mob for the fact that they ever tried to do actual science," he said. "So that's what the mask has really become. It's gone beyond virtue signaling. It is idolatry. It's 'I'm better than you, I'm smarter than you, I care about other people more than you.' When really it's a tool of ignorance."



When asked whether he thinks the pandemic was used by bureaucrats like Fauci to increase power, Deace said he believed there have been "forces waiting for the right moment" and saw the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to advance their agenda.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/steve-deace-on-faucian-bargain-second-opinions-about-covid-19-denied-to-americans_3791690.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-04-27&mktids=15fc1028a397f53538a69ab8a80856d9&est=rHwdN3r7%2FtQ%2Bcn2SUOcZBZHOm1pTsCc91%2FAtNbBpEgreDVJctILY1729FUXk6YEctg%3D%3D">https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morni ... Ectg%3D%3D">https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/steve-deace-on-faucian-bargain-second-opinions-about-covid-19-denied-to-americans_3791690.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-04-27&mktids=15fc1028a397f53538a69ab8a80856d9&est=rHwdN3r7%2FtQ%2Bcn2SUOcZBZHOm1pTsCc91%2FAtNbBpEgreDVJctILY1729FUXk6YEctg%3D%3D

[Anonymous]

The "experts" are far from perfect and must be challenged. Fauci has been wrong many times and there are many epedemiogists who disagree with him who have been solenced. This is not science.



Steve Deace on 'Faucian Bargain': Second Opinions About COVID-19 Denied to Americans



Americans are being denied access to key information about COVID-19 by unelected bureaucrats who seek to expand government power and control, warned talk show host and author Steve Deace, whose new book "Faucian Bargain" recently topped Amazon's bestsellers list.



"The two main objectives of our health care system—informed consent and second opinions—were denied to us at COVID," Deace said in an interview with The Epoch Times' "American Thought Leaders," adding that much of the data presented in his book has not been communicated to the American public by Dr. Anthony Fauci, who leads the nation's pandemic response.



"For example, if the average American knew that almost half of the deaths in America with COVID occurred in nursing homes where less than one percent of Americans live, we would have never ever gone along with this level of subjugation," Deace told host Jan Jekielek. "These are the sorts of data points that have been kept from the American people, so they have not been given the right to informed consent."



Deace moved on to cite a variety of "counter experts" from prestigious institutions such as Stanford and Oxford Universities, who "got kicked to the curb" because of their skepticism of one particular COVID-19 model used to justify lockdowns that severely affected people's lives.



"We were told to trust the experts," he said. "Why weren't we permitted to get second opinions from counter experts, before we decided to risk a huge drop in cancer screenings, 40 million unemployed, 20 percent of American small businesses that are never going to return, on average, across the country?"



Deace then highlighted an apparent lack of controlled scientific studies proving the effectiveness of masks. He noted that while no domestic studies used a random controlled sample of unmasked people, a Danish study did and found that wearing a mask doesn't significantly reduce one's chances of contracting the virus.



Deace also pointed to an April 2020 study published by the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota. Following angry outcries calling for the paper's retraction, the authors were forced to add a lengthy statement explaining how they came to the conclusion that masks are not effective in helping to lower the spread of the virus.



"Then there's now a disclaimer, where they basically apologize to the mob for the fact that they ever tried to do actual science," he said. "So that's what the mask has really become. It's gone beyond virtue signaling. It is idolatry. It's 'I'm better than you, I'm smarter than you, I care about other people more than you.' When really it's a tool of ignorance."



When asked whether he thinks the pandemic was used by bureaucrats like Fauci to increase power, Deace said he believed there have been "forces waiting for the right moment" and saw the COVID-19 pandemic as an opportunity to advance their agenda.

https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/steve-deace-on-faucian-bargain-second-opinions-about-covid-19-denied-to-americans_3791690.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-04-27&mktids=15fc1028a397f53538a69ab8a80856d9&est=rHwdN3r7%2FtQ%2Bcn2SUOcZBZHOm1pTsCc91%2FAtNbBpEgreDVJctILY1729FUXk6YEctg%3D%3D">https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morni ... Ectg%3D%3D">https://www.theepochtimes.com/mkt_morningbrief/steve-deace-on-faucian-bargain-second-opinions-about-covid-19-denied-to-americans_3791690.html?utm_source=morningbriefnoe&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=mb-2021-04-27&mktids=15fc1028a397f53538a69ab8a80856d9&est=rHwdN3r7%2FtQ%2Bcn2SUOcZBZHOm1pTsCc91%2FAtNbBpEgreDVJctILY1729FUXk6YEctg%3D%3D

I agree Seoul..



We've made a mistake blindly accepting the science of Theresa Tam and Anthony Fauci..



There are other similarly qualified professionals who disagree with them who should be heard.

[Anonymous]

The state of Tennessee is ending its coronavirus pandemic public health orders and lifting its mask mandates, moving toward a full return to the pre-pandemic normal as state residents are vaccinated against COVID-19. Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee says COVID-19 is no longer a public health emergency.

[Anonymous]

Brit Hume said Tuesday that the Biden administration has sent mixed messages on when people should wear masks and "it makes absolutely no sense."



"I mean either the vaccines work or they don't and we are told they do and if they do work, then what's the need for the mask?" Hume asked on Fox News' "Tucker Carlson Tonight."



"But I can certainly understand why people would be hesitant about getting vaccinated given the way the government has been all over the place on this issue."



Hume noted Biden's recent appearance on a Zoom call with world leaders in which he wore a mask. "I don't see how it advances the cause very well when you have Joe Biden fully vaccinated walking outdoors with a mask on.



Hume suggested incidents like this illustrate how both the Centers for Disease Control and the federal government have "been all over the place."



We have a situation in which you see people wearing masks who are fully vaccinated: what does that say about how useful it is to get vaccinated?" he asked.

[Anonymous]

Johns Hopkins professor tells Americans not to buy the 'fearmongering' that the media and experts are selling as the COVID-19 threat wanes

https://www.theblaze.com/news/john-hopkins-professor-fearmongering-media-experts?utm_source=theblaze-dailyPM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Newsletter__PM%202021-05-05&utm_term=ACTIVE%20LIST%20-%20TheBlaze%20Daily%20PM">https://www.theblaze.com/news/john-hopk ... Daily%20PM">https://www.theblaze.com/news/john-hopkins-professor-fearmongering-media-experts?utm_source=theblaze-dailyPM&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-Newsletter__PM%202021-05-05&utm_term=ACTIVE%20LIST%20-%20TheBlaze%20Daily%20PM



Just two months ago, Makary took the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to task for its "absurdly restrictive" guidelines for vaccinated people. The doctor said that, though the CDC claims to be "following the science," the truth is the agency is "still paralyzed by fear."



Now, Dr. Makary has his sights set on the "fearmongering" coming from the media and so-called experts who claim the U.S. won't get to "herd immunity" in these days that are seeing the COVID-19 pandemic waning.



What's he saying?

Makary aired his latest grievances with the alleged science followers in the pages of the New York Post on Wednesday with a new op-ed headlined, "Don't buy the fearmongering: The COVID-19 threat is waning."



"Americans are being fed a distorted perception of the risks by the media and some experts. They continue to fuel fear by repeating speculation that variants will evade vaccines," he began. "Don't buy it."



The doctor pointed out that about 57% of American adults are vaccinated and around half of the unvaccinated population currently have natural COVID-19 immunity from prior infection, which explains why cases in the U.S. "have been plummeting" — dropping 31% over the last 2 1/2 weeks.



Then he provided some context:



To put things in context, during the mildest flu season in the last eight years, there were 24 million cases, according to the Centers for Disease Control, and approximately 447,000 daily cases during its peak week. By comparison, we're averaging 49,641 daily COVID cases. That same mild flu season resulted in 280,000 hospitalizations. By comparison, current COVID hospitalizations as of May 1 are 34,905.

Of course, he warns that no one should confuse COVID-19 with the flu and that there is a definite risk among susceptible people, but for anyone who is immune and lives where the case-load is low, the threat of COVID-19 "is now defanged."



It's time, he said, to end harmful social isolation and "abandon the goal of absolute risk elimination at all cost."



He also noted that the case-fatality risk of COVID-19 has dropped significantly and that "vaccines will likely provide at least some immunity against variants."



Despite all the positive news, however, U.S. experts can't help themselves and continue to spread fear, he continued:



Despite this good news, Americans are being told variants and hesitancy will prevent "herd immunity." Yet noticeably absent from their calculations is the contribution of natural immunity from prior infection or exposure. Dr. Anthony Fauci and [CDC Director] Dr. Rochelle Walensky simply don't talk about the percent of Americans they estimate have natural immunity. That omission creates a perception that the race to 70 to 85 percent immunity is more desperate, resulting in a prolonged timeline, talk of vaccine mandates and an imperative that young kids get the shot.

According to Makary, researchers "have not seen significant re-infections at any concerning rate."



Which means, the doctor reasoned, "Any expert who talks about the path to herd immunity as a simple tally of vaccinations alone – which unfortunately is many – is ignoring data and real-world clinical experience."



The big picture, Makary said, is that the coronavirus is not going away and "herd immunity is not a finish line."



What the U.S. needs to decide, he continued, is "at what point is it no longer a major public-health threat?"



"For most states, it's now," he concluded, adding that it's time to "top depriving people of their livelihoods and move toward normalcy."

[Anonymous]

Jim Crow Joe wants to keep the unscientific fearmongering alive.



The Biden Administration Claims To Be Following CDC Guidance. They're Not

https://dailycaller.com/2021/05/10/jeff-zients-coronavirus-vaccine-cdc-guidance/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2360&tpcc%3D=newsletter&pnespid=0u0ytP5FGw2NB9m2ZaxTuzUdBa3_tBoh.yv2Lleh">https://dailycaller.com/2021/05/10/jeff ... oh.yv2Lleh">https://dailycaller.com/2021/05/10/jeff-zients-coronavirus-vaccine-cdc-guidance/?utm_source=piano&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=2360&tpcc%3D=newsletter&pnespid=0u0ytP5FGw2NB9m2ZaxTuzUdBa3_tBoh.yv2Lleh



White House COVID-19 response coordinator Jeff Zients has repeatedly claimed President Joe Biden is following guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as the administration navigates the pandemic. Turns out, that is false.





"Is it really necessary for a fully vaccinated person to wear a mask at a limited indoor gathering if everyone there is vaccinated?" Tapper asked during an interview on "State of the Union," according to Fox News.



"Well, the CDC has given guidance that when you're with family and friends that are vaccinated in small groups you don't need a mask," Zients said, before Tapper reminded him everyone in the press briefing room is vaccinated.



Despite insistence from the Biden Administration that it's better policy to wear a mask while fully vaccinated, the CDC disagrees.



Recent CDC guidance says people who are fully vaccinated can "visit with other fully vaccinated people indoors without wearing masks or physical distancing," and even visit with unvaccinated people who are at low risk for coronavirus without wearing a mask or physical distancing.



Retired Adm. Brett Giroir recently said Biden was sowing skepticism about the vaccine by wearing a mask outdoors, and would possibly feel similar regarding wearing a mask indoors with other fully vaccinated people.



"We know the transmission is very low. I think this is very confusing and it's causing people to not have faith in the vaccine. It's exactly the opposite of what we want," he said on Fox News' "America's Newsroom."

[Anonymous]

Interesting numbers from Kenney at today's COVID press brefing, re: ICU availability. In the U.S., where they have a free-market based healthcare system, they have 3x as many per capita ICU beds available than we do in our communist-style healthcare system. Thus they can comfortably have lower restrictions, handle the hospital surges.



This, on top of our inability to get proper supplies of vaccines domestically. I wonder when Canadians will wake up to the fact that we need to look at significant changes as to how we do healthcare?

[Anonymous]

https://scontent.fyxd1-1.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t1.6435-9/185196313_10158774149220995_5728616274011631521_n.jpg?_nc_cat=100&ccb=1-3&_nc_sid=8bfeb9&_nc_ohc=O25Gw6pvxtUAX-LckVQ&_nc_ht=scontent.fyxd1-1.fna&oh=dcf2a3dec3b0f1c4c1e1a067d44bd462&oe=60C65939">

[Anonymous]

States and stores on Friday said they were largely dropping their mask requirements after a top U.S. health agency advised that people fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 could stop donning face coverings.



The governors of at least 10 states and officials at a slew of retail giants, like Walmart, announced they would no longer require masks, at least for those fully vaccinated against COVID.

[Anonymous]

States and stores on Friday said they were largely dropping their mask requirements after a top U.S. health agency advised that people fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 could stop donning face coverings.



The governors of at least 10 states and officials at a slew of retail giants, like Walmart, announced they would no longer require masks, at least for those fully vaccinated against COVID.

Cali, NY and Michigan will be holdouts.

[cc]

States and stores on Friday said they were largely dropping their mask requirements after a top U.S. health agency advised that people fully vaccinated against the virus that causes COVID-19 could stop donning face coverings.



The governors of at least 10 states and officials at a slew of retail giants, like Walmart, announced they would no longer require masks, at least for those fully vaccinated against COVID.

That's good .. keeping in mind it is just "honor system" = farce / no way to tell  .. as many people have no honor and especially antivaxxers



Well OK, except for the 3rd eye  ... that should be an identifier / proof

[Anonymous]

Two months after Biden called reopening measures 'neanderthal thinking,' Texas reports zero COVID deaths.

[cc]

Texas reported 20 deaths today with day not over in West (Sundays don't count as reporting is often very lax on weekend) .. Florida 54 today



Cases way down & deaths way down in most states .. Texas 862 cases yesterday  



most states in triple digits now except Florida & NY

[Anonymous]

Texas reported 20 deaths today with day not over in West (Sundays don't count as reporting is often very lax on weekend) .. Florida 54 today



Cases way down & deaths way down in most states .. Texas 862 cases yesterday  



most states in triple digits now except Florida & NY

I wonder what day that was..



It's showing three deaths from COVID yesterday in Texas.