Posted on 05/06/2022 8:14:46 AM PDT by SeekAndFind
Each time there has been either an imposition or a renewal of COVID-19 mitigation measures, we are offered the same reflexive justification for these decisions. We are told we must "follow the science."
This ubiquitous refrain has become the latest iteration of that most convenient of debate surrogates: the unassailable maxim. Merely invoking it places one firmly on the side of all sensible people and against the "anti-science" hordes.
At least, that's what we tell ourselves.
The truth is, science is a counselor, not a leader. Science is simply information. One cannot "follow the science" any more than one can "follow the library."
If one proposes a policy, science can be helpful in implementing it effectively. But one must first propose the policy.
With respect to COVID-19, the policy was established in the first days of the pandemic and has not changed substantially since. I suspect you can say it with me: "stop the spread."
We chose to prioritize COVID-19 mitigation over all other considerations. Science informed the execution of this policy, but science did not, and does not, direct it.
We must stop pretending we are not responsible for that choice. A critique is long overdue. We must comprehensively examine both the benefits and costs of our chosen path, and correct it if the results are found wanting.
A glance at the global infection rates suggests that our efforts to arrest the spread have failed utterly. COVID-19 is everywhere. Each of us will almost certainly be exposed to it, and most of us will become infected at least once. Any amount of mitigation, however successful, merely delays the inevitable.
One may argue that our mitigation efforts have succeeded in their original intent: to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed. Perhaps so, although such an assertion requires ample scientific evidence.
(Excerpt) Read more at americanthinker.com ...
So much for the benefits. What of the costs?
COVID-19 policies destroyed businesses and lives. They drove many to depression and some to suicide. They contributed to increased drug abuse and violence. They deprived our dying loved ones of their family members. They deprived, and continue to deprive, our nursing home residents of the only thing that makes their remaining lives worth living: the faces, voices, and touch of loved ones and caregivers.
COVID-19 policies stunted the education and social development of our children, instilling them with insecurity and fear. They pushed the disease burden to working-class people, while the privileged classes cloistered themselves against waves of infection. They drove families and friends apart, set strangers at each other's throats, and engendered general mistrust and animosity towards government and society alike.
This is just a smattering of the detrimental effects of these policies. The true costs are incalculable.
the US patent for the the virus and fake “vaccine”
were conveniently issued before the virus was released.
does anyone care?
apparently as much as the CDC and FDA forcing the
KNOWN POISONS into fetuses, babies, pregnant women,l
children, adults, the old, the immunocompromised,
those with cancer in remission.
no accountability on Earth, as yet.
Never lost control of my life.
“Unfollow the science”? I don’t think so.
As the article says, science is a counselor. Even now, I occasionally check to see how many new cases are occurring here in TN. If it goes up much, I’ll start wearing a mask.
Still not going to sit down restaurants. Going to stores only in off hours to avoid the crowds.
My choice.
Let’s not get so disgusted with the past choices, right or wrong, that we stop paying attention.
The deep Left considers this experiment a success and know how far they can go to control the population without armed resistance.
They will go further at the next scheduled emergency.
We must live with the common cold and seasonal flu. Bio weapons are our main concern.
“One cannot “follow the science””
I have a science degree.
One thing I was always taught is question EVERYTHING!
I was a Mathematics major at one time.
It should scare the schiff out of you that none of our Math is “solid” is it all based on observations that are almost always true, but cannot be proven to be so.
in other words anecdotes.
Or in my world they are called “identities”.
One thing is certain - politics is not how society should be run and certainly not by Hormone driven Democrats.
Unfollow the science...
...because science is done by CHALLENGING the prevailing view, not by blindly accepting it. If the prevailing view is constantly reinforced by repeated failed challenges to its validity over a long period of time, THEN AND ONLY THEN can that prevailing view be called science” or a “fact.” Otherwise, calling something “science” because it sounds good, is cheaper, lines someone’s pockets or comports with the view of those in power is just non-scientific PROPAGANDA.
It has always been a threat that must go through the population, since it was a new virus.
The rest was hype, control, agenda, overreach.
#Pureblood
#NaturalImmunity
#FreeRangeCitizen
I don’t agree Covid is a threat. The only threat is our government.
My cousin has been vaccinated 4 times, and had covid twice. Similar for most of her family
She a liberal karen. Our government, media and the covid industrial-complex have these poor dupes confused and running scared like headless chickens.
“The deep Left considers this experiment a success and know how far they can go to control the population without armed resistance.
They will go further at the next scheduled emergency.”
Never ending crises are what we face - until such time as TPTB either destroy our societies (and a war with Russia has a high probability of doing just that) or we decide to rid our societies of them from positions of power (or just remove them, period).
> We are told we must “follow the science.” <
Oh, do I hate that phrase. It makes sense to “follow the science” when that science is firmly established through decades of observation and experiment. But even then, the science should be open to challenge.
But none of this holds when it comes to Covid “science” or climate change “science”. We are told that we must unquestionably accept whatever the current party line is. And no debate is permitted.
That ain’t science. It’s fascist politics.
They will go further at the next scheduled emergency.
They miscalculated.
So many people are fed up with the fake "wolf" cries that a REAL lethal epidemic would be catastrophic. Few would believe and fewer would obey.
AGW killed Mr Science and COVID buried him in a shallow grave.
I’m sorry you’re letting this detract from your life so much. I brought our Florida habits with me when I moved to TN myself a couple of weeks ago.
They are unsure of just how many millions of the population refused to take the “vaccine” and are aware of who is running this country.
The G8 Summit in Germany proved that this is a world government agreed action when the other leaders played along in covering for Plugs as that potato stumbled/mumbled/pooped through the summit.
There will be some people who successfully avoided COVID who will die without having ever truly lived.
Very sad.
Welcome to TN.
It’s not really detracting that much. It’s taught me some good habits. I plan meals better. I don’t run to Walmart or the grocery store every day. I cook healthier and more often.
I’ve avoided getting covid when it was more severe. And I’ve avoided getting covid, now that it’s a little milder.
That's simply not true.
We took a much less restrictive approach than many countries. Look at the zero-Covid policies of Australia, New Zealand, China, etc.
We took a balanced approach, and for at least the first year of the pandemic the shutdowns were much more bottom-up than top-down.
We are told that we must unquestionably accept whatever the current party line is. And no debate is permitted. That ain’t science. It’s fascist politics.
***Science is evolving into the religion of Scientism.
We never really followed the science. We have solid evidence from multiple randomized controlled trials (RCT) that cloth and surgical masks do NOT stop viruses. N95’s seem to work for brief encounters only, not for prolonged wearing. There is only one RCT that shows masks work...done in rural Bangledesh and only worked in those above 50 yo. The rest is pure politics. It was all based on Trump not wanting to wear a mask that ramped them up even more.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.