Posted on 04/13/2020 3:13:44 PM PDT by SeekAndFind
The famed fact-checking team at the Washington Post, noted for their use of the 'Pinocchios' rating system, gave the president their highest 'false' rating on Monday for his optimistic early support of hydroxychloroquine. The drug, typically prescribed for treatment of malaria, lupus, and rheumatoid arthritis, has shown some promise in the treatment of symptoms caused by the Wuhan coronavirus.
President Trump, who has been consistently chided by the media for his optimistic outlook on the treatment, was accused by The Post of spreading false information for leading the American people to believe the drug was an effective therapy for the Wuhan coronavirus.
"In particular, Trump’s incorrect comments on the drugs and his role in advocating for their use, based on minimal and flimsy evidence, sets a bad example," the fact checkers wrote of Trump's enthusiasm for the drug. "His advocacy for this unproven treatment provides potentially false hope and has led to shortages for people who rely on the drugs. The president earns Four Pinocchios."
The newspaper also listed several examples in which, yes, the president did speak positively about the potential of Hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the sick. At no point, however, did Trump say it would work or that it was proven, the lie he seems to be accused of.
“But I think it could be, based on what I see, it could be a game changer.”
— President Trump, at a White House news briefing, March 19, 2020
“Hydroxychloroquine — I don’t know, it’s looking like it’s having some good results. That would be a phenomenal thing.”
— Trump, at a White House news briefing, April 3
“What do you have to lose? I’ll say it again: What do you have to lose? Take it. I really think they should take it.”
— Trump, at a White House news briefing, April 4
“It’s this powerful drug on malaria. And there are signs that it works on this. Some very strong signs.”
— Trump, at a White House news briefing, April 5
While the fact checkers were correct in saying that there was not yet concrete proof that use of Hydroxychloroquine in the treatment of COVID-19, they failed to mention that many doctors have claimed that the drug has helped their patients fight the virus. Verified claims by physicians go well beyond "anecdotal" tales of success as claimed by the Washington Post.
Doctors from across the United States and the world have hailed the combination of Hydroxychloroquine and other therapies, including common antibiotic "Z-Pack," as being undeniably effective in treating patients with the Wuhan virus.
"Every patient I've prescribed it to has been very, very ill and within 8 to 12 hours, they were basically symptom-free," Dr. Anthony Cardillo of Mend Urgent Care in Los Angeles said. "So clinically I am seeing a resolution." In an April survey of thousands of doctors across the world, nearly 40 percent said that they found hydroxychloroquine to be the “most effective therapy” for the symptoms of COVID-19.
White House Coronavirus Task Force expert Dr. Tony Fauci, while declining to say concretely that the drug was clinically effective against COVID-19 infection, said that he would take the drug himself as part of a clinical trial. The Post went on to suggest that the president's enthusiasm for the drug was causing hoarding and shortages that made it less available to people who used prescriptions for lupus, malaria, and rheumatoid arthritis. While the demand may be up, hydroxychloroquine is still not available without a prescription from a physician. It cannot be purchased in dangerous, unregulated amounts by the American public.
The newspaper's fact hunting sleuths also managed to print advice for readers about who they should listen to about which medications would be most appropriate to take when ill. Hint: it wasn't doctors.
"Hydroxychloroquine and chloroquine as treatments for covid-19 are not yet backed by reliable scientific evidence," the report stated. "In a pandemic, it’s important for everyone to follow the lead of scientists." Scientists, particularly scientists appearing on the pages and screens of media outlets bent on undermining the president at every turn, are far less reliable sources than a sick person's own doctor.
So, no, we aren't sure if Hydroxychloroquine, or Chloroquine, or any other drug is the miracle treatment for the Wuhan virus some hope it is. But the president's optimism in treating sick Americans should not be mistaken for telling lies for political purposes, as the Washington Post did in this fact check.
Bump
Pres. Trump should invoke a Presidential decree that no one in the media is to be prescribed HCQ for Corona.
I would gladly say it. It appears that hydroxychloroquine is an effective treatment.
What treatment does the Washington Post recommend?
Nobody takes so-called “fact checking” seriously anyway. It is obvious partisan proppganda.
Forty percent across the world declared it to be the most effective treatment...
I doubt if 40% of doctors across the world have even had access to it. I’d like to see a survey limited to doctors who have actually used it. It wouldn’t surprise me if it were much higher than 40%.
If there are all these people who are already taking this that are worried about their supply being cut off, the data is already in place to analyze. If their infection rate as a group is significantly lower than the US as a whole at 1700-1800/MM then it’s very likely to be beneficial and almost certain to be safe. When I posted as such in another thread, another said that Dr. Oz had been looking at this and found that not a single person they looked at who’d been on this had caught CV19.
Just checked, the FReeper who shared that was catnipman.
“If you like your doctor you can keep your doctor”
FUWP
They didn't miss the "facts" they believe in their imaginations.
He disagreed with liberals, or said something that if true, would be politically disadvantageous for liberals. In the Compost’s ‘mind’, that’s the definition of a lie.
Use the DPA on WAPO; prohibit editorials and editorial-based reporting. Make them do their job in this time of crisis. Report factual news for the good of the people, and security of the nation.
Many people now have been cured of the CCPV by this drug but it is “false information” because DJT said something positive about it. I guess now we have to go back and re-infect all those cured by the chloroquine so as to put them in the proper path.
“What treatment does the Washington Post recommend?”
Mindlessly voting Democrat for starters. Then mindlessly think and do what the media and the Democrats command.
The Thin Facade of Authority
Victor Davis Hanson
As Mozart, Beethoven and Chopin are to beautiful and logically constructed music, Hanson is to language. His writings simply sing and are a delight to read.
https://amgreatness.com/2020/04/12/the-thin-facade-of-authority/
What treatment do they recommend?
There isn’t one, since covid19 hasn’t had any treatment approved yet.
So, their response has to be “just lay there and die.”
Good article.
Those living off government, generally don’t give much thought for those having to live off a profitable business.
2: to restrain; hold in restraint or control.
Does anyone believe what the Post reports? The fact is that they are the fake news media.
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