Friends, as every country plagued with this, well, plague struggles with the question of how to manage it, one of the most pressing issues is whether or not we want to emulate the "Swedish model" of fairly relaxed restrictions versus the Italian model of a total lockdown. Today I bring you both sides of the debate. The first article is a criticism of the Swedish approach, which argues that it has created far more deaths than in neighboring Nordic countries. The second article is a frank conversation with a expert pathologist who suggests that the strict quarantine now being applied to everyone may make no sense. He cites Britain's much higher death rate when compared with...Sweden! What's the truth? You decide.
https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/swedish-coronavirus-no-lockdown-model-proves-lethal-by-hans-bergstrom-2020-04?a_la=english&a_d=5e99c982871c5c8d28122838&a_m=&a_a=click&a_s=&a_p=homepage&a_li=swedish-coronavirus-no-lockdown-model-proves-le
https://www.spiked-online.com/2020/04/17/theres-no-direct-evidence-that-the-lockdowns-are-working/
Lastly, building on the article I posted yesterday, here's even more evidence that the spread of COVID-19 may be far wider than previously believed. In one Massachusetts town, one-third of all residents (randomly selected) tested positive for antibodies!
https://www.foxnews.com/science/third-blood-samples-massachusetts-study-coronavirus
So, my question would be: Can each state make it mandatory for all LEGALLY/KNOWN RESIDENTS of that state to get tested?
ReplyDeleteThat is my question too...I think Birks and Fauci are proposing EVERY American do so.
DeleteGood golly, can't wait to see what Ray has to say about the photo (grin).
ReplyDeleteWith all due respect to these "Experts"-I call bull larky to these stay at home orders. I really do not hold our very own Fauci or Birks in high regard; they all have vested interests in a national vaccine that has a micro chip in it. Look it up if you don't believe me.
Let's see, about the no proof/direct evidence. I agree. I have a view point that this is was a social experiment on the governments part. Kudos to Dr. Lee, "Don’t get me wrong, it is clearly a nasty disease, but it is not as nasty as it was originally thought. Unfortunately, the media have tended to reinforce the initial ideas about what this disease was like which have not necessarily been borne out by the numbers since then." Amen to that.
Lastly, Massachusetts. I think the majority, if not ALL of us are walking around with some sort of disease. With all due respect, my thoughts still are that shutting down the United States for this was wrong. The more I read about Sweden, the more I think they did right. For instance, Hornell has had 5 deaths, BUT they are from the nursing home, NOT one citizen has become sick, but here we are, shut down. Ridiculous. Plus, they are not doing autopsies, so every death is being counted as COVID 19 (again look it up--according to Dr. Birks that is so). At some point, common sense has to prevail, which I don't hold out for.
We have entered the Twilight Zone as far as I am concerned. Our governor is deep into this, he can't get himself out without saving face. Which, I don't see him doing.
One of the major questions that needs to be asked about this pandemic should focus on how much of what is being said is based on misinformation and disinformation fed by foreign sources? How much misinformation and disinformation has been cooked up by domestic sources?
DeleteI have a gut feeling that if at least by next week, all states opened back up completely, that we would find this entire situation is not nearly as bad as we have interpreted it to be. It has only been one month now, and people are starting to get stir crazy.
Enough is enough!
umm...here in NY it has been since March 8 or so. PLUS, Cuomo has enacted a Executive Order for face masks must be worn. I guarantee you, he will not let the state open before July. I will be very surprised.
DeleteAfter extensive research, I now realize that this entire Corona Virus pandemic should be renamed "The Yellow Peril". Not only that, but the man behind this dastardly conspiracy is none other than Dr. Fu Manchu.
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy et al: One thing is I think clear:objective consideration of this crisis by our state government is impossible given our totalitarian Governor's intransigence (the misspellings are unintentional; I cannot prevent them).
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy et al: My computer was having another of its hissy fits and was willfully substituting letters, causing absurd spellings.Should it fail to repent itself of this infamous injustice, I shall persist, hoping the context will convey my meaning. I thoroughly loathe this machine and right merrily it requites my disdain.
ReplyDeleteLinda: Great point about Cuomo dreading a loss of face. Its obvious from his demeanor that he sees his moment of greatness subjected to ever increasing doubt and that his fragile ego cannot abide that possibility. Can a state mandate anything? Fill in the blank and his answer will be "most assuredly". Mandate is among his favorite words, along with "ban" and "abortion". As for insolent critics he sniffs " I pay no heed to the buzzing of insects".
ReplyDeleteYep, agree...read my comment to you further down.
DeleteFirst of all, when this Corona Virus business began, a bunch of damn fool politicians immediately took control of it, instead of medical professionals. And of course, as we now know, not even medical professionals agree about exactly what to do. Consequently, we have a bunch of damn fool politicians running around all over the country saying this and that, and in more than a few cases, are contradicting each other. I'm talking about Republicans and Democrats. In addition, this country in particular (The United States of America) should always be ready for any pandemic. It is clear that we were not prepared. And because a bunch of damn politicians took control of everything to do with this pandemic we are now in various states of chaos depending which part of the country we live in. Finally, we must not forget for one second that China is the country responsible for this pandemic. The PRC should be held criminally liable for failing to call attention to this pandemic much earlier, and then of course they lied about most of what was going on in China and covered it up. I certainly hope the U.S. has learned a lesson from all this, although I doubt it.
ReplyDeleteIf it helps you guys in New York at all, I live in a state in the epicenter of our country where the governor is currently a Democrat. However, the governor before her was a Republican, and quite frankly not a whole hell of a lot better. So all we really did in my state is exchange one damn fool politician for another.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to politicians who think they are also doctors, we have lots of celebrities, sports figures, media gurus, and more than a few church pastors who are yapping away about Corona Virus. Really infantile isn't it?
ReplyDeleteAnd don't forget that we no doubt have many thousands of people who are enjoying this pandemic because it is a cause for excitement in their otherwise sterile and pedestrian lives. Add to this the new green deal swamis, and those who are no doubt going to make some big bucks from this, the collection of fools who think they are experts about medical issues is huge.
So what we get is large numbers of people who don't know Jack S**t about pandemics.
Ray: I always drive when I go out West. I like listening to 50000 watt stations at which it is assumed that agricultural terms are understood by most listeners. It always surprises me when states like South Dakota or Kansas or Montana elect Demoviruses and it reinforces my belief that anyone of common sense views should never vote for any Dem, not even that friendly local sort who seems ok. They may be ok but their party is NOT. Because when decision time comes, they support the crazies like Pelosi.
ReplyDeleteBut NY? We are probably beyond hope. I live in a county much more akin to the wonderful Pennsyltuckie counties we border than the amoeba like mass on the Hudson. We have no Dems in our county legislature, we all like our guns and hunting and we are as far from NYC as is much of Arizona from the left coast. But that state border makes all the difference.
The NYC area has always looked down on us but in the last few years they took our one strength, the State Senate with their ultimately crushing numbers. And Cuomo, well he's a real case he is!With him, what you hear is what you get (and you hear alot whenever he opens his cavernous maw) and its all the worst kind of NYC arrogance (there is another sort of NYC and it showed itself on 9/11; its heroic and down to earth but Cuomo is most certainly not of that kind). His father was a sanctimonious scold ("so 80% of my state wants the death penalty; shame on them, I don't and that's what counts"). And he does his father most proud. He doesn't bother to disguise his downstate disdain for upstate: "just a vocal minnahritty".Bottom line: we are a politically conquered people (no matter his baldly patronizing occasional gestures to us; he can never get his fill of attention afterall); under him we are subjects, not citizens. He even ventures to deny us our Constitutional right to the equal protection of the Federal laws he casually flouts( eg. Immigration law, a strictly Federal province). There is one obvious remedy for the millions of wronged citizens of "HIS" state. Firm intervention, with the full force available to the Federal Chief Executive, as was done in the South in the '50's and '60's. The situation is arguably analogous ( our views are thoroughly dismissed by Cuomo and Newsom's regimes). I think that kind of intervention to be a distinct possibility in a second Trump term.
For your real America, Ray, I think we stand as a warning of what is assured you if presumptuous arrogant coastal leftist elites take the Federal government. And when you elect Dems you further that end, without perhaps meaning to do so. In your territory you have the numbers we lack and you have nothing like the burden of lala land on the Hudson.NO DEMS!
Jack, I agree...here in the Southern Tier we enjoy the same things. Let me tell you, this morning I had to go pick up a prescription at Walmart. A county sheriffs deputy was standing there at the entrance harassing people about the Executive Mask Order. I was actually escorted to the pharmacy (it was an unpleasant experience). Then, my son was pulled over while exercising / riding his bike WITHOUT a face mask. Both of us were threatened with $500 fines and jail time. Now, let me say, Cuomo is beyond arrogant. This is the police state, welcome to Communism. The police no longer following the Constitution. Its scary, Jack, truly it is.
DeleteLinda: But from Cuomo's view this is just. How dare you and yours defy his irreproachable will!The assumption of dictatorial power is justified simply by the righteousness of its origin and motivation and , of course, its overwhelming power. That is as it is in our benighted state.
ReplyDeleteJack
DeleteThey are no longer the Democrats. In fact Democrats is a name that Socialists have been hiding behind since the FDR Administration. In Continental Europe there are Socialist parties who run on that ticket, with
a Socialist agenda, and they don't pretend to be anywhere but Left, and their platforms are Marxist.
In the United States of America, they hide behind the name of Democrat, or what used to be called Traditional Liberals in this country. But in reality, today's American Democrat party is Socialist, and gradually being taken over by the radical Left. We also have people calling themselves Republicans who are in fact Socialists in disguise. Their hope is that we will become The United Socialist States of America.
Linda: In saying this I do not mean in any way to gainsay you and your son the indignity of what you experienced. My own impression is that many in Southern Tier law enforcement are loathe to enforce the casually imperious and ill conceived orders of this incipient dictator who clearly sees us as second class citizens. It may make some of them ill at ease in enforcing them but they are obligated and they may be showing their discomfort at this onerous task inadvertently. I had similar experiences in corrections, where I sometimes had to enforce regulations which disturbed me but I was enjoined to keep my doubts to myself. Just my view. I know you support law enforcement the military.
ReplyDeleteJack
DeleteAfer reading all of your posts, the thing I am struck by most is the eloquent language you use. It reminds me of Shakespeare.
With that said, why don't you get out of New York at the first opportunity? I strongly recommend that you relocate to the beautiful town of Cedar City, Utah. Every Summer (although this Summer might be the exception because of the Corona Virus) they hold the Shakespeare Festival.
On that note, you might be able to get some sort of a role in one of the many Shakespeare plays presented at that festival, seriously. Your way of expressing yourself is unique, and it just reminds me of Shakespeare.
Ray: The American left has the benefit of all previous Marxist assertion worldwide and has learned much. They seek to destroy a country in which, if their true purpose was widely perceived, they would instantly be consigned to the political gutter from which they rose.
ReplyDeleteThe cover of "Democrat Party", a long honored institution, shields them well. So many people simply cannot believe that the Dem entity they knew could have degenerated as shamefully as it has. The far left has undoubtably cuckooed the now nominal "Democrat party" and like the cuckoo has no misgivings. It is utterly lacking in principle other than "any means necessary" and "once we take over it will be as we will, whatever and whenever". If the Bernie/AOC wing takes complete power of their mob I fully expect them to be as recklessly honest as to change the name of the party to better reflect its essence; one can just imagine what that would be -"The People's Correct and Just etc, etc" ad nauseum.
DR. WADDY, LINDA, JACK
ReplyDeleteAll three of you good people need to consider moving out of New York. I realize it is your home, but frankly I could not stand living there, and yes I have been there, upstate too.
Making a move is never easy, but it can be done. I was raised on The Left Coast, but I would never live there again. Several years ago, I opted to move to a Great Plains State, and I have never regretted it. Also, there are places down South where I would not mind living. The Summers are humid down there, but the cost of living is much more sane, and NO I am not talking about Florida. Ha!
So think about getting out of New York.
Dr. Waddy, Linda and Ray: For my own part, it would be near impossible for me to move. I'd be willing; I'd only have to go 9 miles down to just below the PA border and I'd be in God's country. But my wife does not share my loathing for political NY. I cannot ask her to go through the disruption of moving at our ages; she's been very willing to live where I wanted and I cannot ask this of her after all that. Allegany Co. NY is a really good place, with outstanding quality of life but its trapped in leftist infested NY and I can understand anyone seeing that as intolerable.
ReplyDeleteRay, thank you so very much for the wonderful compliment you paid my writing. That means alot to me. I love Shakespeare and luckily we do have a "Shakespeare in the Park" in Olean, the small city near where I live and I've been in it twice. I played Capulet in Romeo and Juliet and the Duke in Two Gentlemen of Verona and it was a dream come true for me. I hope some day to play either Prospero or Claudius. Once again, many thanx and I like your pungent commentary too, very much. Thanx to Dr. Waddy, we have a forum for very productive intellectual discourse on this blog and I treasure it. Hope so many more will join up; let their principled exploration of the issues speak for them !
Jack
DeleteThen this means that you need to go to Cedar City, Utah some Summer and take in some Shakespeare plays there. If you have already been there, disregard. However, if not, put it on your list of to do things, soon.
Linda: I reread your initial comment and I want to support it as follows: Cuomo is the kind of "touchy feely" guy for whom (and he can be quoted on this, expressed with misty eyes and quivering lips) "why, if it saves one life, its worth it". How many times have we heard that from leftists with complete disregard on their parts of the full implications of the policies they so very vehemently support?
ReplyDeleteWell here is a good test of that. Consider the life of a small business person: Initially: eg. 18 hour days, complete investment of all one's assets in the business; possibly harrowingly long periods sans of profit and then . . . .? And then? Along comes Cuomo: "you in upstate, I don't know from you or your community but shut down anyway or I'll make you!"
OK, we are law abiding and we shut down and soon our cash flow (a concept unknown to a Governor who has never deigned to delve into leftist despised private enterprise)dries up and we are in deep trouble. And when small business goes south, the consequences can be very far reaching (since so very, very much was invested in their provenance). Ehh, loss of livings, breakup of marriages, suicides?). So much, Andrew, for your ignorant, dismissive airy leftist shibboleths!
COME IN DR. WADDY. COME IN DR. WADDY. TIME FOR A NEW ARTICLE. HELLO! HELLO! DO YOU READ ME? NEW ARTICLE NEEDED NOW.
ReplyDeleteDR. WADDY, CALLING DR. WADDY. MAY DAY! MAY DAY! NEW ARTICLES BY DR. WADDY NEEDED NOW! NATIVES ARE GETTING RESTLESS. COME IN DR. WADDY. OVER. CALLING DR. WADDY. SOS SOS SOS ACTION THIS DAY! PLEASE. POR FAVOR.
ReplyDeleteWhew! 26 comments. That's ALMOST a record.
ReplyDeleteFirst, have no fear, Ray -- another article is on its way!
Ray/Linda -- the legalities of mandatory testing are a mystery to me too. The answer is that testing probably can't be forced on anyone, but refusal could have...consequences. Will we need to produce "Corona licenses" in future? All this relies on the assumption that prior exposure conveys immunity, which may not even be true.
Linda, you make a great point that the disease does not seem particularly deadly to people under 50, even compared to the flu. So might it not be wiser to pursue a herd immunity strategy? We may be coming around to that by the back door. Again, don't look for too many mea culpas. That will never happen.
Jack: 99% of the time your computer serves you well. Don't judge it too harshly. Without it we would be denied your startling insights and your honeyed phraseology! I think your laptop deserves a hallowed place in the Smithsonian, personally... And I agree with Ray that you resemble Shakespeare in your eloquence. That's high praise, as you know! How cool that you've been in several Shakespeare plays. If there's video anywhere on YouTube, we want to see it!
Ray, you are so right that even the "experts" don't have a handle on this pandemic and how to respond to it. They can't even decide whether we should wear masks! And that, last time I checked, was about the most elementary countermeasure there is. I agree that "advice" is being dispensed with politics in mind, not medicine.
Jack/Linda -- I couldn't agree more than no one should vote for ANY Democrat EVER, period/exclamation mark! Not all Democrats are bad people, but the party is shot through with craziness and wickedness, and it has no place in a healthy, wholesome America.
As for whether we can expect relief from Cuomo to come from Trump, I have my doubts, but the courts might give us succor.
Linda -- I'm sorry about your mask experience. That's very disturbing. What law was it alleged that you were violating?
As for leaving New York, I think all right-minded denizens of this state have considered it. Millions have already done it. Jack is right, though, that it's easier said than done. Believe me, though, Ray, the wheels are turning! I've got a long-range plan, and being here forever isn't part of it.
Dr. Waddy etal: If you Google Olean Theatre Workshop you might find some pix though I have never seen a video of our Romeo and Juliet. I was only in Two Gentlemen of Verona for a day: my mother got sick. One other thrill I had vis a vis Shakespeare: while on a tour of the Globe Theatre in London a year ago I was allowed to go on the stage and do one line of Shakespeare!. I'll never forget that.
ReplyDeleteI remember now , you have made the case before that Cuomo would be more likely to be brought to justice by the courts and it makes alot of sense. I think maybe Eisenhower and Kennedy acted against Faubus, Barnett and Wallace in consequence of court orders to those states and Governors.
Corona licenses; a plausible possibility and no doubt summary NY would pioneer these. Anything that NY can ban, tax, denounce or regulate it is blithe to task so. Liberty is to NY radicals as is the cross to the vampire. Unquestioned "guidance" by an omniscient elite: that's their byword and its being amply demonstrated now. At some point, NY may become a pariah state similar to South Africa in its isolation and shame.
I never thought of the revenue stream corona licenses would create! With no private sector to speak of, our state will need revenue...
ReplyDeleteDr. Waddy:yes and it will be largely attributable to Cuomo actions ,this unprecendented crisis. Due to his liberal largesse we were nevertheless facing a monumental deficit even before this situation.
ReplyDelete