lifesitenews--2020-09-01--Virginians to ‘march against mandates,’ forced COVID-19 vaccine Sept. 2 in Richmond

PETITION : No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus !
Sign the petition here .
RICHMOND , Virginia , September 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – People from across Virginia are set to attend a “ March Against Mandates ” in the state ’ s capital of Richmond tomorrow , showing their opposition to forced vaccines and other mandates related to the coronavirus outbreak .
The rally begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia , located at 2500 W. Broad Street .
“ Since March , Virginia has been operating under a state of emergency declared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Freedom Keepers , the main organizer of the event .
“ The law allows for the Governor – and his appointed officials – to unilaterally mandate medical other matters without consulting the will of the people.
” “ Bills to limit the Governor ’ s power during an emergency – both scope and time – have been ignored .
Also , the Health Committee tabled bills that would have ensured Virginians [ ’ ] right to delay or decline a COVID shot despite over 12,000 [ Virginians ] voicing opposition .
The blatant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be addressed by our March Against Mandates.
” Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver first said in August “ that he plans to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for Virginians once one is made available to the public , ” according to a report by a local ABC station .
PETITION : No to radical mandatory mask mandates !
Sign the petition here .
The law in Virginia “ gives the Commissioner of Health the authority to mandate immediate immunizations during a public health crisis if a vaccine is available , ” and Oliver @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impose a vaccination mandate .
“ It is killing people now , we don ’ t have a treatment for it and if we develop a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading in the community we will save hundreds and hundreds of lives , ” Oliver argued .
Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said through a spokeswoman a few days later that his administration had no plans to mandate a COVID-19 shot .
“ We are focused on accessibility , affordability , and fair distribution of a vaccine—not on a mandate.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we ’ re confident that Virginians will seek it out .
That ’ s why we don ’ t have plans for a mandate , ” the spokeswoman said .
Health Commissioner Oliver also appeared to walk back his earlier insistence on mandating a coronavirus vaccine .
“ When Dr. Oliver spoke of his support of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for adults , he was sharing his personal opinion as a physician , ” a spokesperson claimed .
“ Currently , the Northam administration has taken no official policy position on whether or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be mandatory.
” The Family Foundation , a pro-family organization based in Virginia , explained that “ a Democrat-controlled House Committee ” recently killed “ two bills – HB 5016 ( R-Cole ) and HB 5070 ( R-LaRock ) – on a party-line vote that would ’ ve offered a way for someone with a sincere religious objection to be exempt from any Covid-19 vaccine mandate.
” “ Not only did the committee reject legislation that would ’ ve provided a religious exemption , but they also shot down HB 5082 ( R-LaRock @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ This bill would ’ ve ensured that Virginia didn ’ t mandate a COVID-19 vaccine if it is derived from human fetal tissue , changes the RNA or DNA of a person , or was not first tested on laboratory animals before being tested on humans.
” “ It ’ s extremely chilling that House Democrats are perfectly fine with mandating a vaccine with those qualities on all Virginians , ” the organization commented .
Some politicians and legal scholars have argued that a vaccine mandate would likely be upheld by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , referring to a precedent decided in 1905 .
In Jacobson v. Massachusetts , the Supreme Court upheld the authority of states to enforce compulsory vaccination laws .
Robert F. Kennedy , Jr. , founder of Children ’ s Health Defense , an organization pointing out the well-documented dangers associated with some vaccines , clarified during an online debate that the state government at the time had offered people to either be vaccinated or pay a $ 5 fine .
Alan Dershowitz , a Harvard law professor Kennedy was debating , countered that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ precedent , “ the state has the power to literally take you to a doctor ’ s office and plunge a needle into your arm.
” Dershowitz ’ s clients have included President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein .
Kennedy said , “ I think there ’ s a big constitutional chasm between , you know , that remedy , which is paying a fine , and actually going in and holding somebody down and forcibly injecting them.
” Trump has already said that a coronavirus vaccine won ’ t be mandatory , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get it .
Not everyone is going to want to get it.
” While a vaccine might not technically be mandated by any state government , it could still be effectively imposed upon people by excluding them from participating in regular life activities , unless they are vaccinated .
The University of California , a public university system with more than 280,000 students and 175,000 staff members , announced it will require all students , faculty , and staff to verify that they have been vaccinated for the flu by November 1 @

'Bills to limit the Governor’s power during an emergency – both scope and time – have been ignored.'
PETITION: No to mandatory vaccination for the coronavirus! Sign the petition here.
RICHMOND, Virginia, September 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – People from across Virginia are set to attend a “March Against Mandates” in the state’s capital of Richmond tomorrow, showing their opposition to forced vaccines and other mandates related to the coronavirus outbreak.
The rally begins at 10:00 a.m. at the Science Museum of Virginia, located at 2500 W. Broad Street.
“Since March, Virginia has been operating under a state of emergency declared by the Governor,” wrote Virginia Freedom Keepers, the main organizer of the event. “The law allows for the Governor – and his appointed officials – to unilaterally mandate medical other matters without consulting the will of the people.”
“Bills to limit the Governor’s power during an emergency – both scope and time – have been ignored. Also, the Health Committee tabled bills that would have ensured Virginians[’] right to delay or decline a COVID shot despite over 12,000 [Virginians] voicing opposition. The blatant disregard for the will of the people will be addressed by our March Against Mandates.”
Virginia Health Commissioner Dr. Norman Oliver first said in August “that he plans to mandate coronavirus vaccinations for Virginians once one is made available to the public,” according to a report by a local ABC station.
PETITION: No to radical mandatory mask mandates! Sign the petition here.
The law in Virginia “gives the Commissioner of Health the authority to mandate immediate immunizations during a public health crisis if a vaccine is available,” and Oliver said he would use that power to impose a vaccination mandate.
“It is killing people now, we don’t have a treatment for it and if we develop a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading in the community we will save hundreds and hundreds of lives,” Oliver argued.
Democratic Virginia Governor Ralph Northam said through a spokeswoman a few days later that his administration had no plans to mandate a COVID-19 shot. “We are focused on accessibility, affordability, and fair distribution of a vaccine—not on a mandate.”
“When a vaccine becomes available, we’re confident that Virginians will seek it out. That’s why we don’t have plans for a mandate,” the spokeswoman said.
Health Commissioner Oliver also appeared to walk back his earlier insistence on mandating a coronavirus vaccine.
“When Dr. Oliver spoke of his support of a mandatory COVID-19 vaccine for adults, he was sharing his personal opinion as a physician,” a spokesperson claimed. “Currently, the Northam administration has taken no official policy position on whether or not a COVID-19 vaccine for adults should be mandatory.”
The Family Foundation, a pro-family organization based in Virginia, explained that “a Democrat-controlled House Committee” recently killed “two bills – HB 5016 (R-Cole) and HB 5070 (R-LaRock) – on a party-line vote that would’ve offered a way for someone with a sincere religious objection to be exempt from any Covid-19 vaccine mandate.”
“Not only did the committee reject legislation that would’ve provided a religious exemption, but they also shot down HB 5082 (R-LaRock),” The Family Foundation added. “This bill would’ve ensured that Virginia didn’t mandate a COVID-19 vaccine if it is derived from human fetal tissue, changes the RNA or DNA of a person, or was not first tested on laboratory animals before being tested on humans.”
“It’s extremely chilling that House Democrats are perfectly fine with mandating a vaccine with those qualities on all Virginians,” the organization commented.
Some politicians and legal scholars have argued that a vaccine mandate would likely be upheld by the Supreme Court of the United States, referring to a precedent decided in 1905. In Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the Supreme Court upheld the authority of states to enforce compulsory vaccination laws.
Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., founder of Children’s Health Defense, an organization pointing out the well-documented dangers associated with some vaccines, clarified during an online debate that the state government at the time had offered people to either be vaccinated or pay a $5 fine.
Alan Dershowitz, a Harvard law professor Kennedy was debating, countered that based on constitutional law, including this precedent, “the state has the power to literally take you to a doctor’s office and plunge a needle into your arm.” Dershowitz’s clients have included President Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein.
Kennedy said, “I think there’s a big constitutional chasm between, you know, that remedy, which is paying a fine, and actually going in and holding somebody down and forcibly injecting them.”
Trump has already said that a coronavirus vaccine won’t be mandatory, but available for those “who want to get it. Not everyone is going to want to get it.”
While a vaccine might not technically be mandated by any state government, it could still be effectively imposed upon people by excluding them from participating in regular life activities, unless they are vaccinated.
The University of California, a public university system with more than 280,000 students and 175,000 staff members, announced it will require all students, faculty, and staff to verify that they have been vaccinated for the flu by November 1.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-01--1st amendment protects exercise of religious beliefs, especially during COVID

September 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – Of all the activities that have been restricted by governors , mayors and health departments only religious gatherings are specifically protected in the Constitution .
The First Amendment protects us from laws interfering with the free exercise of religion .
Unfortunately , some policymakers out of fear , disdain or hubris have overlooked the importance of the First Amendment and some have deemed religious worship “ nonessential.
” Fortunately , many religious communities are pushing back against the affront to the God-given right to religious liberty that is guaranteed by the First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legal teams seeking to overturn restrictions in New York State , California , Illinois and Delaware .
So far , most judges are in agreement that states and counties have overstepped their bounds in placing unreasonable restrictions on religious bodies .
In the clinical practice of medicine , we acknowledge that people have spiritual , psychological and physical dimensions .
We know that spiritual and psychological stress and trauma can lead to physical problems , including immune system dysfunction .
Arbitrarily declaring religious services to be nonessential , besides being unconstitutional , also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychological risks that , ironically , could actually lead to an increase in mortality from COVID-19 by negatively impacting immune function and by destabilizing the support systems of vulnerable people .
According to Robert Redfield , MD , the director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) , at this point in the pandemic , both suicides and drug overdose deaths are outnumbering deaths due to the coronavirus , itself .
[ 1 ] The social side effects of mitigation measures are rearing their ugly head .
It is clear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out throughout the United States , the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic was altered ; the “ curve was flattened.
” Mitigation measures , like any medical treatment , have untoward consequences , some foreseeable , some not .
Furthermore , the “ treatment ” that got us to where we are now , is not the “ treatment ” that is indicated for us now .
The Reproduction number ( Rt ) is a measure of how much spread is occurring .
When the Rt is one , on average , each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one other person — the pandemic is stable .
If Rt is greater than one , the pandemic is increasing ; if the Rt is less than one , it is losing steam .
According to RT Lite , the Rt is less than one in most of the country .
See the graph , from Rt Lite , below , where green indicates the states where Rt is less than one .
[ 2 ] Many state and federal officials have expressed concern that religious gatherings pose an increased risk of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no substantiation for their statements , only oft repeated half-true narratives propagated by the mainstream media outlets .
In reality , religious gatherings are no more dangerous than other gatherings and are likely safer than social gatherings like family parties and those in bars where people are standing very close together , talking loudly and possibly imbibing alcohol .
Certainly , they are safer than protests and riots that have been allowed and or tolerated in many cities .
One of the reasons some have expressed concern that worship services could become hotbeds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Washington State last March where , out of 61 attendees , up to 53 people became ill after a two-and-a-half-hour choir practice where they were exposed to a person who was ill but did not realize he had COVID-19 .
Thirty-three of those who were ill had tests confirming they were infected with SARS-CoV-2 .
[ 3 ] The participants were in a relatively small room with poor ventilation .
Much of the time , they were only seated 6-10 inches apart .
They practiced for two and a half hours and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knew he was sick .
Clearly , this is not how religious services are being conducted , these days .
Because of the Washington State case , some policymakers have justified their restrictions on religious gatherings expressing fear that singing , which is often part of worship services , increases respiratory droplets and aerosols thus making the public health risks of religious worship unacceptable .
Some have quoted a webinar produced in May and sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and other groups that left viewers with the unequivocal message @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resume until a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or effective therapeutics were available .
[ 4 ] Unfortunately the fear-based conclusion was not grounded in scientific evidence , as Naunheim et al .
assert in the Journal of Voice .
[ 5 ] Singing does present some challenges ; however , none of them are insurmountable .
A comprehensive report produced by a collaboration between a university and three music institutes in Germany , titled “ Risk Assessment of a Coronavirus Infection in the Field of Music , ” was updated in July .
[ 6 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , the medical , engineering and vocal experts conclude that singing only slightly increases the dispersion of respiratory droplets .
It can , however , increase the production of aerosol particles , which are smaller ( < 5 microns ) .
The group concludes that singing can safely take place in houses of worship , providing that singers be spaced about two meters ( close to our standard of six feet ) , that masks be worn and that ventilation be adequate .
Both the German group and the article by Naunheim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ increases and the amount of time spent singing decreases , the risk of spread of the virus diminishes .
Worship services generally have songs interspersed with sermons and prayers .
The breaks in the singing allow droplets to fall to the ground and aerosols to be dispersed and diluted .
How many COVID-19 cases have been linked to houses of worship ?
A New York Times investigative report examined church-related outbreaks ( and we can be sure they searched far and wide ) .
“ More than 650 coronavirus cases have been linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across the United States since the beginning of the pandemic .
.
.
“ [ 7 ] However , to put the cases in perspective , one must divide the 650 confirmed cases related to religious events by the number of cumulative , confirmed COVID-19 cases on 10 July ( 3,038,325 , according to Statista ) .
[ 8 ] The calculation reveals that on 10 July , only 0.02 % of the total US cases were related to religious event exposures .
Indeed , houses of worship have been unfairly vilified across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ important to know the number of people who normally attend religious services , regularly .
According to Statista , in 2019 approximately 90 million American adults attended religious services , at least monthly .
[ 9 ] The denominator is very large .
Public health officials have cited several cases to support their restrictions of religious liberty .
A Butte County , California case has been brought forward as an “ outbreak ” because two people were purportedly infected with the coronavirus at a church service .
[ 10 ] While two infected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the infection rate of 2/180 or 1.1 % certainly is not earth-shattering .
There was an Arkansas church-related outbreak where 35 of 92 attendees developed COVID-19 .
[ 11 ] This case is clearly not a good comparator for much of the country .
• The outbreak occurred at a small rural church in Arkansas , not in a spacious building , like those where many Americans participate in services .
• The outbreak occurred early in the pandemic , before the national lockdown .
Attendees were probably not aware of any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Furthermore , the Rt was likely very high at the time .
• Rural Arkansans may be much less healthy compared to the typical attendees at church services throughout the nation .
Arkansas has the third-highest obesity ( a major COVID-19 risk factor ) rate in the country [ 12 ] , the third-highest rate of hypertension ( a known COVID-19 risk factor ) in the nation [ 13 ] and the fifth-highest rate of smoking among its residents .
[ 14 ] Those wishing to restrict religious services point to First @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Alabama , which resumed in-person services on May 17 , 2020 , but canceled them after more than 20 of the congregation ’ s 1,500 members tested positive .
The claim implies that the virus was spread through contact of the general church congregation .
However , according to the news blog post written by the pastor of the church , Reverend Derek Allen , most of the initial positive tests were among the church staff members and volunteers , not the congregation .
The first staff member was exposed to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ then spread the virus to his or her colleagues at a staff meeting .
This led to “ about half of the staff ” and “ some of [ the ] volunteers ” testing positive .
A more accurate claim of this spread would list a staff meeting rather than a church service as the setting for the initial spread .
[ 15 ] .
A California county official claimed that Calvary Chapel of San Antonio , after reopening in May 2020 , experienced an outbreak of 50 people , despite practicing social @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This claim is false .
Pastor Ron Arbaugh openly admitted to reporters that he allowed his congregation to “ hug and shake hands , ” which was in violation of the relevant guidelines .
[ 16 ] Some have cited a large COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a South Korean church in February 2020 as a reason to limit the religious liberties of Americans .
Several thousand members of the community , called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus , contracted COVID-19 , confirmed by testing .
The Shincheonji Church of Jesus is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the United States .
The Korean church has been characterized by many as a “ doomsday cult ” and is notorious for its “ unconventional evangelistic activities.
” A group member was interviewed and stated that at services , congregants were so close together that they literally rubbed again each other .
Additionally , they chanted and praised “ at the top of their voice ” for thirty minutes , then would listen to a sermon for a full hour .
An anti-cult campaigner was interviewed regarding the surge of COVID-19 linked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ skeptical regarding the integrity of the church based on its history of infiltrating other churches to recruit members to join the “ cult.
” The extent of the spread may very well have been compounded by the suspected deceitfulness of the leaders of the controversial cult .
[ 17 ] Others point to a February 2020 outbreak in Malaysia , where hundreds of cases were linked to a Muslim missionary group , called Tabligh Jamaat .
This Islamic missionary movement , based in Southeast Asia , organizes mass gatherings to spread the Islamic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preceded any social distancing guidelines and orders in Malaysia , as it occurred more than two weeks prior to the restrictions instituted by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin .
Once again , this is an “ apples to oranges ” comparison .
This example occurred in another country , involved different religious practices , involved missionary activities ( with individuals approaching and engaging other individuals ) and occurred early in the pandemic before any official guidelines were issued and when the Rt was likely still very high .
[ 18 ] Centers for Disease @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in May advising faith communities on how to best hold services while minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19 .
It is important to note that the statement includes , “ This guidance is not intended to infringe on rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or any other federal law , including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 ( RFRA ) .
” [ 19 ] We should take those words to heart and remind our state and local officials that the First Amendment protects the exercise of religious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not to accept the false narrative offered by the mainstream media and government officials regarding the risks of religious worship in congregations .
Prudent , safe civil disobedience by religious congregations as well as aggressive legal action may be what it takes to ensure that the right to worship in congregations is never deemed nonessential again .
• A Conversation : What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing May 5 , 2020 Webinar https : //www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/_article.html/Featured_Stories_/NATS_COVID_Resources_Page accessed 6 August 2020 • Risk Assessment of a Coronavirus Infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ translation ) https : //www.mh-freiburg.de/fileadmin/Downloads/Allgemeines/RisikoabschaetzungCoronaMusikSpahnRichter17.7.2020Englisch.pdf accessed 6 August 2020 • Konger , et al .
Churches Were Eager to Reopen .
Now They Are Confronting Coronavirus Cases .
New Work Times .
Updated 10 July 2020. https : //www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/us/coronavirus-churches-outbreaks.html ?
_ga=2.32880442.567445811.1598230899-365553348.1597530794 .
Accessed 23 August 2020 .
• Considerations for Communities of Faith , CDC , 23 May 2020. https : //www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html ?
CDC_AA_refVal=https % 3A % 2F % 2Fwww.cdc.gov % 2Fcoronavirus % 2F2019-ncov % 2Fphp % 2Ffaith-based.html .
Accessed 7 August 2020 .

‘It is important for us not to accept the false narrative offered by the mainstream media and government officials regarding the risks of religious worship in congregations’
PETITION: Support pastors fighting against oppressive state mandates! Sign the petition here.
September 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – Of all the activities that have been restricted by governors, mayors and health departments only religious gatherings are specifically protected in the Constitution. The First Amendment protects us from laws interfering with the free exercise of religion.
Unfortunately, some policymakers out of fear, disdain or hubris have overlooked the importance of the First Amendment and some have deemed religious worship “nonessential.” Fortunately, many religious communities are pushing back against the affront to the God-given right to religious liberty that is guaranteed by the First Amendment. I have been associated with legal teams seeking to overturn restrictions in New York State, California, Illinois and Delaware. So far, most judges are in agreement that states and counties have overstepped their bounds in placing unreasonable restrictions on religious bodies.
In the clinical practice of medicine, we acknowledge that people have spiritual, psychological and physical dimensions. We know that spiritual and psychological stress and trauma can lead to physical problems, including immune system dysfunction. Arbitrarily declaring religious services to be nonessential, besides being unconstitutional, also carries with it certain profound spiritual and psychological risks that, ironically, could actually lead to an increase in mortality from COVID-19 by negatively impacting immune function and by destabilizing the support systems of vulnerable people.
According to Robert Redfield, MD, the director of Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), at this point in the pandemic, both suicides and drug overdose deaths are outnumbering deaths due to the coronavirus, itself.[1] The social side effects of mitigation measures are rearing their ugly head.
It is clear that due to early mitigation measures carried out throughout the United States, the trajectory of the COVID-19 pandemic was altered; the “curve was flattened.” Mitigation measures, like any medical treatment, have untoward consequences, some foreseeable, some not. Furthermore, the “treatment” that got us to where we are now, is not the “treatment” that is indicated for us now.
The Reproduction number (Rt) is a measure of how much spread is occurring. When the Rt is one, on average, each person with COVID-19 will spread it to one other person — the pandemic is stable. If Rt is greater than one, the pandemic is increasing; if the Rt is less than one, it is losing steam. According to RT Lite, the Rt is less than one in most of the country. See the graph, from Rt Lite, below, where green indicates the states where Rt is less than one. [2]
Many state and federal officials have expressed concern that religious gatherings pose an increased risk of the spread of COVID-19. Often they provide no substantiation for their statements, only oft repeated half-true narratives propagated by the mainstream media outlets. In reality, religious gatherings are no more dangerous than other gatherings and are likely safer than social gatherings like family parties and those in bars where people are standing very close together, talking loudly and possibly imbibing alcohol. Certainly, they are safer than protests and riots that have been allowed and or tolerated in many cities.
One of the reasons some have expressed concern that worship services could become hotbeds of COVID-19 contagion is the well-publicized case in Washington State last March where, out of 61 attendees, up to 53 people became ill after a two-and-a-half-hour choir practice where they were exposed to a person who was ill but did not realize he had COVID-19. Thirty-three of those who were ill had tests confirming they were infected with SARS-CoV-2. [3] The participants were in a relatively small room with poor ventilation. Much of the time, they were only seated 6-10 inches apart. They practiced for two and a half hours and shared food, afterward. Patient zero knew he was sick. Clearly, this is not how religious services are being conducted, these days.
Because of the Washington State case, some policymakers have justified their restrictions on religious gatherings expressing fear that singing, which is often part of worship services, increases respiratory droplets and aerosols thus making the public health risks of religious worship unacceptable. Some have quoted a webinar produced in May and sponsored by the National Association of Teachers of Singing and other groups that left viewers with the unequivocal message that singing with others could not safely resume until a SARS-CoV-2 vaccine or effective therapeutics were available. [4] Unfortunately the fear-based conclusion was not grounded in scientific evidence, as Naunheim et al. assert in the Journal of Voice.[5]
Singing does present some challenges; however, none of them are insurmountable. A comprehensive report produced by a collaboration between a university and three music institutes in Germany, titled “Risk Assessment of a Coronavirus Infection in the Field of Music,” was updated in July. [6] Citing research conducted by them and others, the medical, engineering and vocal experts conclude that singing only slightly increases the dispersion of respiratory droplets. It can, however, increase the production of aerosol particles, which are smaller (<5 microns). The group concludes that singing can safely take place in houses of worship, providing that singers be spaced about two meters (close to our standard of six feet), that masks be worn and that ventilation be adequate.
Both the German group and the article by Naunheim et al. emphasize that as spacing increases and the amount of time spent singing decreases, the risk of spread of the virus diminishes. Worship services generally have songs interspersed with sermons and prayers. The breaks in the singing allow droplets to fall to the ground and aerosols to be dispersed and diluted.
How many COVID-19 cases have been linked to houses of worship? A New York Times investigative report examined church-related outbreaks (and we can be sure they searched far and wide). “More than 650 coronavirus cases have been linked to nearly 40 churches and religious events across the United States since the beginning of the pandemic . . . “ [7] However, to put the cases in perspective, one must divide the 650 confirmed cases related to religious events by the number of cumulative, confirmed COVID-19 cases on 10 July (3,038,325, according to Statista). [8] The calculation reveals that on 10 July, only 0.02% of the total US cases were related to religious event exposures. Indeed, houses of worship have been unfairly vilified across the country.
Additionally, it is important to know the number of people who normally attend religious services, regularly. According to Statista, in 2019 approximately 90 million American adults attended religious services, at least monthly. [9] The denominator is very large.
Public health officials have cited several cases to support their restrictions of religious liberty. A Butte County, California case has been brought forward as an “outbreak” because two people were purportedly infected with the coronavirus at a church service. [10] While two infected out of 180 is technically an outbreak, the infection rate of 2/180 or 1.1% certainly is not earth-shattering.
There was an Arkansas church-related outbreak where 35 of 92 attendees developed COVID-19. [11] This case is clearly not a good comparator for much of the country.
The outbreak occurred at a small rural church in Arkansas, not in a spacious building, like those where many Americans participate in services. The outbreak occurred early in the pandemic, before the national lockdown. Attendees were probably not aware of any precautions to take to avoid contracting COVID-19. Furthermore, the Rt was likely very high at the time. Rural Arkansans may be much less healthy compared to the typical attendees at church services throughout the nation. Arkansas has the third-highest obesity (a major COVID-19 risk factor) rate in the country [12], the third-highest rate of hypertension (a known COVID-19 risk factor) in the nation [13] and the fifth-highest rate of smoking among its residents. [14]
Those wishing to restrict religious services point to First Baptist Church of Tillmans Corner in Mobile, Alabama, which resumed in-person services on May 17, 2020, but canceled them after more than 20 of the congregation’s 1,500 members tested positive. The claim implies that the virus was spread through contact of the general church congregation. However, according to the news blog post written by the pastor of the church, Reverend Derek Allen, most of the initial positive tests were among the church staff members and volunteers, not the congregation. The first staff member was exposed to the virus outside of the church, who then spread the virus to his or her colleagues at a staff meeting. This led to “about half of the staff” and “some of [the] volunteers” testing positive. A more accurate claim of this spread would list a staff meeting rather than a church service as the setting for the initial spread. [15].
A California county official claimed that Calvary Chapel of San Antonio, after reopening in May 2020, experienced an outbreak of 50 people, despite practicing social distancing and adhering to other guidelines, This claim is false. Pastor Ron Arbaugh openly admitted to reporters that he allowed his congregation to “hug and shake hands,” which was in violation of the relevant guidelines. [16]
Some have cited a large COVID-19 outbreak that occurred in a South Korean church in February 2020 as a reason to limit the religious liberties of Americans. Several thousand members of the community, called the Shincheonji Church of Jesus, contracted COVID-19, confirmed by testing. The Shincheonji Church of Jesus is not at all comparable to most faith communities in the United States. The Korean church has been characterized by many as a “doomsday cult” and is notorious for its “unconventional evangelistic activities.” A group member was interviewed and stated that at services, congregants were so close together that they literally rubbed again each other. Additionally, they chanted and praised “at the top of their voice” for thirty minutes, then would listen to a sermon for a full hour. An anti-cult campaigner was interviewed regarding the surge of COVID-19 linked to this church, and he was skeptical regarding the integrity of the church based on its history of infiltrating other churches to recruit members to join the “cult.” The extent of the spread may very well have been compounded by the suspected deceitfulness of the leaders of the controversial cult. [17]
Others point to a February 2020 outbreak in Malaysia, where hundreds of cases were linked to a Muslim missionary group, called Tabligh Jamaat. This Islamic missionary movement, based in Southeast Asia, organizes mass gatherings to spread the Islamic faith. The outbreak in late February preceded any social distancing guidelines and orders in Malaysia, as it occurred more than two weeks prior to the restrictions instituted by Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin. Once again, this is an “apples to oranges” comparison. This example occurred in another country, involved different religious practices, involved missionary activities (with individuals approaching and engaging other individuals) and occurred early in the pandemic before any official guidelines were issued and when the Rt was likely still very high. [18]
Centers for Disease Control (CDC) released interim guidelines in May advising faith communities on how to best hold services while minimizing the risk of spreading COVID-19. It is important to note that the statement includes, “This guidance is not intended to infringe on rights protected by the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution or any other federal law, including the Religious Freedom Restoration Act of 1993 (RFRA).” [19]
We should take those words to heart and remind our state and local officials that the First Amendment protects the exercise of religious beliefs. It is important for us not to accept the false narrative offered by the mainstream media and government officials regarding the risks of religious worship in congregations. Prudent, safe civil disobedience by religious congregations as well as aggressive legal action may be what it takes to ensure that the right to worship in congregations is never deemed nonessential again.
____________
References
Transcript of COVID Webinar Series interview of Robert Redfield, MD. https://www.buckinstitute.org/covid-webinar-series-transcript-robert-redfield-md/ accessed 5 August 2020. https://rt.live/accessed 29 August 2020 CDC report of Washington State super-spreading event. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6919e6.htm accessed 6 August 2020 A Conversation: What Do Science and Data Say About the Near Term Future of Singing May 5, 2020 Webinar https://www.nats.org/cgi/page.cgi/_article.html/Featured_Stories_/NATS_COVID_Resources_Page accessed 6 August 2020 Naunheim, J Voice. 2020 Jul 2 Risk Assessment of a Coronavirus Infection in the Field of Music (English translation) https://www.mh-freiburg.de/fileadmin/Downloads/Allgemeines/RisikoabschaetzungCoronaMusikSpahnRichter17.7.2020Englisch.pdf accessed 6 August 2020 Konger, et al. Churches Were Eager to Reopen. Now They Are Confronting Coronavirus Cases. New Work Times. Updated 10 July 2020. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/07/08/us/coronavirus-churches-outbreaks.html?_ga=2.32880442.567445811.1598230899-365553348.1597530794. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/1103185/cumulative-coronavirus-covid19-cases-number-us-by-day/. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.statista.com/statistics/245491/church-attendance-of-americans/ . Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.actionnewsnow.com/content/news/Butte-County-Public-Health-suspects-more-cases-to-come-from-Palermo-gathering-570968721.html. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6920e2.htm . Accessed 23 August 2020. https://stateofchildhoodobesity.org/adult-obesity/. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/statesystem/cigaretteuseadult.html. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/statesystem/cigaretteuseadult.html. Accessed 23 August 2020. https://www.jderekallen.com/post/five-lessons-i-learned-from-a-covid-19-spike-at-our-church .Accessed 24 Aug 2020. https://www.kens5.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/more-than-50-members-of-san-antonio-area-church-test-positive-for-the-coronavirus/273-9b756984-5761-4411-92db-398f94fa1cbf .Accessed 24 August 2020. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3051629/coronavirus-super-spreader-south-korean-church-cult Accessed 24 August 2020. https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/coronavirus-islamic-sect-chief-6-others-charged-for-delhi-nizamuddin-event-amid-covid-19-2204136. Accessed 24 August 2020. Considerations for Communities of Faith, CDC, 23 May 2020. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/community/faith-based.html?CDC_AA_refVal=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.cdc.gov%2Fcoronavirus%2F2019-ncov%2Fphp%2Ffaith-based.html . Accessed 7 August 2020.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-01--Nuns reimagine ‘Invictus’ poem into Catholic song for our troubled times

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world : Feed your flock !
Sign the petition here .
September 1 , 2020 ( LifeSiteNews ) – In the rural countryside of southern Pennsylvania , a stone ’ s throw from the battlefield where President Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysburg Address to a weary nation , an order of cloistered nuns has made their address—to the weary faithful .
Inspired by the famous poem , “ Invictus , ” by William Ernest Henley , the Sisters of the Carmel of Jesus , Mary , and Joseph have written a song to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of cultural confusion .
Fittingly , the song , named for the Latin word meaning “ unconquered , ” rings as a ballad , a battle cry of a soldier who follows closely and submits faithfully to his Master and Captain , Jesus Christ .
LifeSiteNews sat down in an exclusive interview with the Carmelite sisters , who described that the song was originally written for a play which they produced earlier this summer .
At one point in the play , the main character ’ s best friend dies , and inspired @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the sisters sat down at the organ and composed this song .
The song transforms the 19th-century poem from one heralding self-determination into a tribute to the Captain who leads the faithful one into victory : Out of the night that covered me , Black as the pit from pole to pole .
I thank Your tender Majesty For rescuing my witless soul .
In the fell clutch of what I ’ d been , You took my place before the crowd .
Under the bludgeonings of sin , Your head was bloodied @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , this vale of tears , Lies life , the price for which You ’ ve paid ; And so the menace of the years Finds and shall find me unafraid .
It matters not how great the wait , How dark the night , how high the toll .
You are the Master of my fate .
You are the Captain of my soul .
You are the Captain of my soul .
You are the Captain of my soul .
Behind the grate at the monastery , the two Mothers of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ song ’ s lyrics and its meaning for today .
Mother Thérèse told LifeSiteNews that the sister who composed the song “ modified them [ the words of ‘ Invictus ’ ] to fit to a more Carmelite , a more Christian expression.
” Upon hearing the song , all the sisters were struck by the fitting nature of the lyrics “ to the times we find ourselves in between the pandemic and the political unrest and so many disquieting events , the song seemed à propos to our time.
” The song @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alone after a great battle which leaves his leader bloodied .
The submissive tone underscores the great beauty , as Mother Thérèse suggested , “ of an Almighty Captain , who , if we follow Him , will get us through , no matter what kind of darkness we face as a society , or as an individual.
” She stressed that the overarching theme of the ballad conveys that when God is in control , the devil is vanquished and the faithful are victorious .
Sitting to her right , Mother Stella @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , highlighted her thoughts , stating that “ we are going through the Passion now with Our Lord ... but He wants us to know that after the Passion comes the Resurrection.
” She believes that Our Lord is suffering right now without the faithful having access to Holy Mass and the sacraments .
“ But , ” she said , “ we can do nothing without Him , and a soldier can do nothing without his captain , and so He is going to lead us through this darkness.
” Commenting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ through the work , Mother Stella Marie eagerly shared that St. Theresa of Avila , the foundress of this order of Carmelites , often told her sisters “ to be soldiers for Christ ... and not only to be soldiers , but to be at the forefront of the battle , to be the standard-bearers.
” The sisters still hold fast to these roots of their order and view themselves as the standard-bearers in the cultural battle even today .
Mother Stella Marie spoke to the lay faithful encouraging them to “ retain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need to always keep our love for the Church very vibrant and very strong.
” She urged the faithful not to “ just leave the Church or stop practicing the faith – those are not solutions for veteran soldiers .
We need to keep on the battlefield.
” Mother Thérèse shared that the song has helped even the sisters themselves through their own troubles , reminding them that “ the Lord is charge of everything , absolutely everything , no matter how dark it seems.
” She hopes that “ each one who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ themselves , in their own lives ... and then sing it together as a whole , and with that unity will come our strength .
And then we will be unconquered .
”

Urgent appeal to the bishops of the world: Feed your flock! Sign the petition here. September 1, 2020 (LifeSiteNews) – In the rural countryside of southern Pennsylvania, a stone’s throw from the battlefield where President Lincoln delivered the famous Gettysburg Address to a weary nation, an order of cloistered nuns has made their address—to the weary faithful. Inspired by the famous poem, “Invictus,” by William Ernest Henley, the Sisters of the Carmel of Jesus, Mary, and Joseph have written a song to inspire the Church amidst the current wave of cultural confusion. Fittingly, the song, named for the Latin word meaning “unconquered,” rings as a ballad, a battle cry of a soldier who follows closely and submits faithfully to his Master and Captain, Jesus Christ.
LifeSiteNews sat down in an exclusive interview with the Carmelite sisters, who described that the song was originally written for a play which they produced earlier this summer. At one point in the play, the main character’s best friend dies, and inspired by “Invictus,” one of the sisters sat down at the organ and composed this song. The song transforms the 19th-century poem from one heralding self-determination into a tribute to the Captain who leads the faithful one into victory: Out of the night that covered me,
Black as the pit from pole to pole.
I thank Your tender Majesty
For rescuing my witless soul.
In the fell clutch of what I’d been,
You took my place before the crowd.
Under the bludgeonings of sin,
Your head was bloodied, beaten, bowed
Beyond this place, this vale of tears,
Lies life, the price for which You’ve paid;
And so the menace of the years
Finds and shall find me unafraid.
It matters not how great the wait,
How dark the night, how high the toll.
You are the Master of my fate.
You are the Captain of my soul.
You are the Captain of my soul.
You are the Captain of my soul.
Behind the grate at the monastery, the two Mothers of the order described the background of the song’s lyrics and its meaning for today. Mother Thérèse told LifeSiteNews that the sister who composed the song “modified them [the words of ‘Invictus’] to fit to a more Carmelite, a more Christian expression.” Upon hearing the song, all the sisters were struck by the fitting nature of the lyrics “to the times we find ourselves in between the pandemic and the political unrest and so many disquieting events, the song seemed à propos to our time.”
The song details a lone solider who finds himself alone after a great battle which leaves his leader bloodied. The submissive tone underscores the great beauty, as Mother Thérèse suggested, “of an Almighty Captain, who, if we follow Him, will get us through, no matter what kind of darkness we face as a society, or as an individual.” She stressed that the overarching theme of the ballad conveys that when God is in control, the devil is vanquished and the faithful are victorious.
Sitting to her right, Mother Stella Marie, in a soft prayerful tone, highlighted her thoughts, stating that “we are going through the Passion now with Our Lord…but He wants us to know that after the Passion comes the Resurrection.” She believes that Our Lord is suffering right now without the faithful having access to Holy Mass and the sacraments. “But,” she said, “we can do nothing without Him, and a soldier can do nothing without his captain, and so He is going to lead us through this darkness.”
Commenting on the elements of Carmelite spirituality that shine through the work, Mother Stella Marie eagerly shared that St. Theresa of Avila, the foundress of this order of Carmelites, often told her sisters “to be soldiers for Christ…and not only to be soldiers, but to be at the forefront of the battle, to be the standard-bearers.” The sisters still hold fast to these roots of their order and view themselves as the standard-bearers in the cultural battle even today.
Mother Stella Marie spoke to the lay faithful encouraging them to “retain love for Holy Mother Church...we need to always keep our love for the Church very vibrant and very strong.” She urged the faithful not to “just leave the Church or stop practicing the faith – those are not solutions for veteran soldiers. We need to keep on the battlefield.”
Mother Thérèse shared that the song has helped even the sisters themselves through their own troubles, reminding them that “the Lord is charge of everything, absolutely everything, no matter how dark it seems.” She hopes that “each one who listens to this song will sing it themselves, in their own lives…and then sing it together as a whole, and with that unity will come our strength. And then we will be unconquered.”
That is the hope of “Invictus,” which in itself is a battle cry for the Church and her people.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-01--‘Not normal’: US senator lays out dangerous connections linking US-wide mob action

September 1 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention , the far left 's `` fiery but peaceful '' protestors had a pretty disgusting plan : instead of just yelling at the top of their lungs from the outside , or attempting to disrupt the convention from the inside , or burning and looting nearby shops to give the whole thing a bad public relations odor , they decided to physically attack Republicans as they exited the convention .
That was the plan .
They certainly attacked random nobodies exiting the front @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to get to his hotel two blocks away on foot after waiting 45 minutes at the wrong hotel , the mobs recognized him and got really excited , first swarming him and his wife in a group of 30 , and then swelling to 60 , and then to a 120-sized turba mob .
They made lunging attacks at the senator and his luckily spotted police escort who were trying to protect Paul and his wife and deflect the `` protesters . ''
It was a travesty .
Paul described it very well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not go outside now , it 's too dangerous . ''
`` The United States is going to become Portland . ''
`` We 'll eff you up . ''
`` This is happening in all our cities , thank God for the police . ''
`` I want to live the life of a normal person , where I go to the grocery store and buy groceries , or stop at the Minute-Mart . ''
Paul 's most important statement came here : '' This also is not normal .
There 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is like , the FBI needs to be involved . ''
And more specifically , as the Fox News reporter probed : My feeling is there is interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines , but you wo n't know it unless you arrest them .
Otherwise you just think oh these are just some normal hoodlums from a big city .
I promise you that at least some of these members and people who attacked us were not from D.C .
They flew here on a plane , they 've @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were paid to be here .
It is a crime to do that and it needs to be traced .
The FBI needs to investigate .
But the only way you can do it is you have to arrest people .
And usually we say 'oh , well , you did n't get hurt , so we 're not going to arrest them . '
They were inciting a riot , and they would have killed us had the police not been there .
They all need to be arrested , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they need to be arrested , questioned , they need to say where you 're staying , and the bills need to be subpoenaed by a judge , to say 'who paid for your bill , how did you get here on a plane and staying in a fancy hotel , and yet you 're acting like a criminal . '
Something 's going on here and it 's much bigger than people think .
But the bottom line is , we ca n't let the United States become Portland and that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pretty much the most important question that can be asked of any of this lunacy engulfing the country .
One , dangerously opaque foundations , such as the Tides Foundation , which takes cash in big amounts from anonymous donors and has been known to contribute to terroristic organizations such as Earth First !
and the `` Ruckus Society , '' have stepped up their donations to `` social justice '' and `` criminal justice '' and `` racial justice '' organizations .
George Soros 's Open Society Foundation , while less opaque @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes from Soros 's vast fortune as a currency speculator , is in this category , too .
Here is what the New York Post , via the Center for Consumer Freedom , noted : Second , the Democrats , who also take money from the donors to these foundations that may be behind these riots , have been curiously silent in their failure to condemn the violence , even on people they know and work with from the Senate building .
Joe Biden made a general condemnation of violence after poll numbers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well with the American voters , but he has n't said a thing about the attack on Sen. Rand Paul .
His running mate , Kamala Harris , is even worse , witchily cackling that the violence will never stop , as noted in this well written blog item today by Bill Dunne here .
Paul noted the irony of his own role in attempting to get justice for Breonna Taylor , who was killed in a no-knock raid on apparently the wrong apartment , writing a bill to ban no-knock raids .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ naïve there — these mobs are n't interested in reform .
They want to tear the whole edifice down , and some huge billionaires are behind them .
More than tanks in the streets , there needs to be an investigation into who 's funding these mobs and arrests of the foundation executives and moneybag billionaires found to be involved .
We still do n't know precisely which ones are doing this , and it 's critical that we find out , because as Harris says , the attacks wo n't stop ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would know this , too ) .
Some big swoop-downs need to happen , and one hopes the Trump administration is willing to take on the task or is already on it .
Paul would be wise to initiate some Senate investigation , too , because someone 's getting away with this , and the attacks are growing more brazen , targeting not just shopkeepers , but now police and elected officials .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

September 1, 2020 (American Thinker) — Following the conclusion of the Republican National Convention, the far left's “fiery but peaceful” protestors had a pretty disgusting plan: instead of just yelling at the top of their lungs from the outside, or attempting to disrupt the convention from the inside, or burning and looting nearby shops to give the whole thing a bad public relations odor, they decided to physically attack Republicans as they exited the convention. That was the plan.
They certainly attacked random nobodies exiting the front, but when Sen. Rand Paul attempted to get to his hotel two blocks away on foot after waiting 45 minutes at the wrong hotel, the mobs recognized him and got really excited, first swarming him and his wife in a group of 30, and then swelling to 60, and then to a 120-sized turba mob. They made lunging attacks at the senator and his luckily spotted police escort who were trying to protect Paul and his wife and deflect the “protesters.”
It was a travesty. Paul described it very well.
Some excerpts: “We cannot go outside now, it's too dangerous.”
“The United States is going to become Portland.”
“We'll eff you up.”
“This is happening in all our cities, thank God for the police.”
“I want to live the life of a normal person, where I go to the grocery store and buy groceries, or stop at the Minute-Mart.”
Paul's most important statement came here:
“This also is not normal. There's something … going on here. This is like, the FBI needs to be involved.”
And more specifically, as the Fox News reporter probed:
My feeling is there is interstate criminal traffic being paid for across state lines, but you won't know it unless you arrest them. Otherwise you just think oh these are just some normal hoodlums from a big city. I promise you that at least some of these members and people who attacked us were not from D.C. They flew here on a plane, they've all got fresh new clothes, and they were paid to be here. It is a crime to do that and it needs to be traced. The FBI needs to investigate. But the only way you can do it is you have to arrest people. And usually we say 'oh, well, you didn't get hurt, so we're not going to arrest them.' They were inciting a riot, and they would have killed us had the police not been there. They all need to be arrested, and I'm not saying forever, but they need to be arrested, questioned, they need to say where you're staying, and the bills need to be subpoenaed by a judge, to say 'who paid for your bill, how did you get here on a plane and staying in a fancy hotel, and yet you're acting like a criminal.' Something's going on here and it's much bigger than people think. But the bottom line is, we can't let the United States become Portland and that's what my fear is…
This is pretty much the most important question that can be asked of any of this lunacy engulfing the country.
Two things stand out.
One, dangerously opaque foundations, such as the Tides Foundation, which takes cash in big amounts from anonymous donors and has been known to contribute to terroristic organizations such as Earth First! and the “Ruckus Society,” have stepped up their donations to “social justice” and “criminal justice” and “racial justice” organizations. George Soros's Open Society Foundation, while less opaque, given that the group's money comes from Soros's vast fortune as a currency speculator, is in this category, too. Here is what the New York Post, via the Center for Consumer Freedom, noted:
Second, the Democrats, who also take money from the donors to these foundations that may be behind these riots, have been curiously silent in their failure to condemn the violence, even on people they know and work with from the Senate building. Joe Biden made a general condemnation of violence after poll numbers showed that rioter violence was not playing well with the American voters, but he hasn't said a thing about the attack on Sen. Rand Paul. His running mate, Kamala Harris, is even worse, witchily cackling that the violence will never stop, as noted in this well written blog item today by Bill Dunne here.
Paul noted the irony of his own role in attempting to get justice for Breonna Taylor, who was killed in a no-knock raid on apparently the wrong apartment, writing a bill to ban no-knock raids. But he came off as a little naïve there — these mobs aren't interested in reform. They want to tear the whole edifice down, and some huge billionaires are behind them. More than tanks in the streets, there needs to be an investigation into who's funding these mobs and arrests of the foundation executives and moneybag billionaires found to be involved. We still don't know precisely which ones are doing this, and it's critical that we find out, because as Harris says, the attacks won't stop (and we need to know how Harris would know this, too). Some big swoop-downs need to happen, and one hopes the Trump administration is willing to take on the task or is already on it. Paul would be wise to initiate some Senate investigation, too, because someone's getting away with this, and the attacks are growing more brazen, targeting not just shopkeepers, but now police and elected officials.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-01--Health care professionals sue Michigan governor for COVID persecution

September 1 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Jordan Warnsholz , a physician assistant in Michigan , put up a lengthy Facebook post detailing how the State of Michigan is harassing him personally and professionally .
He contends that he is the victim of Governor Gretchen Whitmer 's vindictive abuse of power .
What he describes is a Kafka-esque nightmare in which government agencies have criminalized minor infractions and threatened his custody over his children .
Intrigued , I checked why Warnsholz blamed Whitmer for abusing her executive powers .
It turns out that he sued her in May @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers .
In May 2020 , Warnsholz was one of three people in the medical field who , along with a patient , sued Governor Whitmer ; Michigan attorney general Dana Nessell ; and Robert Gordon , the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services .
The basis for their complaint was that Whitmer 's executive orders — which became a byword for overreach in the early months of the Wuhan virus panic — left the medical practice unable to offer necessary treatments to its patients .
Michigan , incidentally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Department of Justice is investigating because of the staggeringly high death rates for elderly residents in nursing homes .
The deaths of nursing home residents in Michigan , who constitute a minute fraction of the population , accounted for 32 % of all Wuhan virus deaths in that state .
Because of Whitmer 's sweeping orders , the plaintiffs , including Wanrsholz , alleged that patients suffered serious harm : The medical practices involved said they have n't been able to repair feeding tubes or perform gallbladder surgery which has resulted in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the older generation usually have a lot of health conditions on top of each other , diabetes , high blood pressure , heart disease kidney disease and without being able to monitor those these people could be heading straight into a medical life-altering emergency and we 're seeing that in droves across the state , '' said Jordan Warnsholz , a plaintiff in the lawsuit and the owner of Wellston Medical Center and Primary Health Services .
Warnsholz also said that his two practices have forgiven $ 214,000 in medical debt from patients @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook post , Warnsholz contends that , since filing his lawsuit , the state has harassed him , by initiating a phony criminal action again him , trying to destroy his livelihood , and threatening his custody over his children : Sadly , it 's easy to accept Warnsholz 's allegations at face value .
As we 've seen in 2020 America , state executives are drunk on their power to control their citizens , all in the name of protecting them from what 's proven to be a nasty but not apocalyptic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away children has proven to be one of the statists ' most potent weapon against parents who fight orders that would leave them unable to feed or shelter their children .
In Salem , Oregon , for example , hairstylist Lindsey Graham kept her salon open so she would not be impoverished .
Governor Kate Brown , the same woman who has allowed 88 days of Wuhan spreading , blood-spilling , fecal-throwing violence to rage in Portland , sicced Child Protective Services on Graham , just as Whitmer seemingly has done to Warnsholz @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan relentlessly pursued 77-year-old Karl Manke for trying to keep food on his table .
Meanwhile , it allowed politically correct gay swingers ' clubs to operate .
Other states have been just as bad .
In Texas , an overzealous Dallas prosecutor and a smug judge sent hairstylist Shelley Luther to jail for trying to keep herself and her employees solvent .
In New Jersey , Governor Murphy is doing anything he can to destroy the owners of Atilis gym .
To date , Democrat governors , especially Whitmer , have proven @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be interesting , therefore , to hear Governor Whitmer 's side of the story when it comes to the allegedly retaliatory actions that Warnsholz claims the state has taken against him .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

Jordan Warnsholz, a physician assistant, put up a lengthy Facebook post detailing how the State of Michigan is harassing him personally and professionally.
September 1, 2020 (American Thinker) — Jordan Warnsholz, a physician assistant in Michigan, put up a lengthy Facebook post detailing how the State of Michigan is harassing him personally and professionally. He contends that he is the victim of Governor Gretchen Whitmer's vindictive abuse of power.
What he describes is a Kafka-esque nightmare in which government agencies have criminalized minor infractions and threatened his custody over his children. Intrigued, I checked why Warnsholz blamed Whitmer for abusing her executive powers. It turns out that he sued her in May for — yes — abusing her executive powers.
In May 2020, Warnsholz was one of three people in the medical field who, along with a patient, sued Governor Whitmer; Michigan attorney general Dana Nessell; and Robert Gordon, the director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. The basis for their complaint was that Whitmer's executive orders — which became a byword for overreach in the early months of the Wuhan virus panic — left the medical practice unable to offer necessary treatments to its patients.
Michigan, incidentally, is one of four states that the Department of Justice is investigating because of the staggeringly high death rates for elderly residents in nursing homes. The deaths of nursing home residents in Michigan, who constitute a minute fraction of the population, accounted for 32% of all Wuhan virus deaths in that state.
Because of Whitmer's sweeping orders, the plaintiffs, including Wanrsholz, alleged that patients suffered serious harm:
The medical practices involved said they haven't been able to repair feeding tubes or perform gallbladder surgery which has resulted in patients developing gangrene. [snip] “Medicare is the older generation usually have a lot of health conditions on top of each other, diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease kidney disease and without being able to monitor those these people could be heading straight into a medical life-altering emergency and we're seeing that in droves across the state,” said Jordan Warnsholz, a plaintiff in the lawsuit and the owner of Wellston Medical Center and Primary Health Services. [snip] Warnsholz also said that his two practices have forgiven $214,000 in medical debt from patients since the pandemic started.
In his Facebook post, Warnsholz contends that, since filing his lawsuit, the state has harassed him, by initiating a phony criminal action again him, trying to destroy his livelihood, and threatening his custody over his children:
PLEASE SHARE, THE PUBLIC NEEDS TO KNOW THIS: I am going public to expose gov Whitmer for extreme criminal abuse of power… Posted by Jordan Warnsholz on Thursday, August 27, 2020
Sadly, it's easy to accept Warnsholz's allegations at face value. As we've seen in 2020 America, state executives are drunk on their power to control their citizens, all in the name of protecting them from what's proven to be a nasty but not apocalyptic coronavirus. Worse, threatening to take away children has proven to be one of the statists' most potent weapon against parents who fight orders that would leave them unable to feed or shelter their children.
In Salem, Oregon, for example, hairstylist Lindsey Graham kept her salon open so she would not be impoverished. Governor Kate Brown, the same woman who has allowed 88 days of Wuhan spreading, blood-spilling, fecal-throwing violence to rage in Portland, sicced Child Protective Services on Graham, just as Whitmer seemingly has done to Warnsholz.
When it comes to hairstylists, Michigan relentlessly pursued 77-year-old Karl Manke for trying to keep food on his table. Meanwhile, it allowed politically correct gay swingers' clubs to operate.
Other states have been just as bad. In Texas, an overzealous Dallas prosecutor and a smug judge sent hairstylist Shelley Luther to jail for trying to keep herself and her employees solvent. In New Jersey, Governor Murphy is doing anything he can to destroy the owners of Atilis gym.
To date, Democrat governors, especially Whitmer, have proven to be power-hungry and vindictive. It will be interesting, therefore, to hear Governor Whitmer's side of the story when it comes to the allegedly retaliatory actions that Warnsholz claims the state has taken against him.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-01--Whistleblower busts major nuclear research lab forcing ‘blatantly anti-white’ training seminars

September 1 , 2020 ( American Thinker ) — Recently , we learned that Sandia National Laboratories , one of only three National Nuclear Security Administration research and development laboratories in the United States , was mandating that its white , male executives attend anti-white training sessions .
Since then , a whistleblower has emerged , describing in detail the anti-white `` critical race theory '' that Sandia 's management is foisting on employees at all levels , even though these racial attacks in the material manifestly violate federal law .
In mid-August , Christopher Rufo published a Twitter thread @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
To understand how wrong that seminar was , you need to know that Sandia , as a taxpayer-funded contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy 's National Nuclear Security Administration , must comply with federal anti-discrimination regulations .
Thus , Executive Order 11246 Subpart B , sec .
202 states in relevant part : Last I looked , white employees ticked off two boxes in the protected classes above : race and color .
Casey Peterson , an electrical engineer , has been unhappy about the direction that Sandia is taking .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ thread — as well as the fact that it was required only for white men — struck him as discriminatory .
Moreover , Peterson believes that critical race theory is a dangerous form of anti-white discrimination premised on false facts and crackpot theories .
Peterson did something audacious in today 's environment : he pushed back hard , creating a lengthy , detailed , factually supported video challenging the critical race theory that forms the basis of Sandia 's undoubtedly illegally and contractually violative race-based discrimination .
Christopher Rufo picks up the story @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at @ SandiaLabs .
Following my investigation , a dissident electrical engineer named Casey Peterson emailed all 16,000 employees denouncing critical race theory in the lab and hoping to spark a rebellion against Sandia executives .
On Tuesday , Peterson made a YouTube video `` pushing back back on the narrative of modern systemic racism and white privilege . ''
The video quickly hit 10,000 views within the labs and dozens of Sandia employees contacted Peterson to express support .
Within hours , Sandia executives dispatched a counterintelligence team to lock Peterson out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from internal servers — which , via the Streisand Effect , made the video even more viral and sparked widespread unrest against Sandia executives .
By the afternoon , executives were panicking about the brewing rebellion , placed Peterson on paid administrative leave , and established a `` security review board '' to `` evaluate whether [ his ] actions have comprised [ sic ] or posed a threat to Sandia computing and security systems . ''
Peterson — who took a stand at grave risk to his career — says he is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ employees who are `` scared to speak out '' because of the lab 's repressive culture .
`` If I get fired because of this , '' Peterson says , `` the fight does not end , it only intensifies . ''
This is the first explicit rebellion against critical race theory in the federal government — and the coalition is growing .
`` We need to completely rip [ critical race theory ] out of Sandia root and stem , '' Peterson says .
`` It is cancer and we need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now . ''
Sandia executives have made it clear : they want to force critical race theory , race-segregated trainings , and white male reeducation camps on their employees — and all dissent will be severely punished .
Progressive employees will be rewarded ; conservative employees will be purged .
Keep this in mind : Sandia Labs is a federally-funded research agency and designs America 's nuclear weapons .
Senator @ HawleyMO and @ SecBrouillette have launched an inspector general investigation , but Sandia executives have only accelerated their purge against conservatives .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can back down and Peterson 's rebellion will notch an internal victory ; or they can fire him and Peterson will become further evidence of Sandia 's corrupt and repressive culture .
In a sense , Peterson can not lose .
According to multiple sources , the executives who have pushed the most toxic elements of critical race theory and race-segregated trainings are James Peerey , Dori Ellis , David White ( he/him ) , and Mark Sellers .
They must be investigated by the Inspector General .
Here 's the bottom line @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rebellion against critical race theory in the federal government .
Casey Peterson has taken a courageous stand and the Inspector General must conduct a full investigation of Sandia Labs — and hold executives accountable .
We are opening up a multi-front war against critical race theory in the federal government : ( 1 ) investigative reporting to expose the truth ; ( 2 ) internal rebellions to increase the pressure ; ( 3 ) inspector general investigations ; ( 4 ) laying the groundwork for an executive order .
It might take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but we will achieve victory !
Swords up !
⚔ Prayers up !
�� The lily-white executives appear to be committed to forcing critical race theory on their trapped employees .
Therefore , we can expect that Peterson , who is currently on paid leave , will lose his job .
Corporations , especially those with ties to the Deep State , know that whistleblower laws no longer protect people who do not advance progressive ideologies .
Looking ahead , if we find ourselves in Trump 's America after November 3 , Peterson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ However , if we 're in Biden 's America , the Petersons of this world will be silenced .
Published with permission from the American Thinker .

Executives at Sandia Labs appear to be committed to forcing critical race theory on their trapped employees.
September 1, 2020 (American Thinker) — Recently, we learned that Sandia National Laboratories, one of only three National Nuclear Security Administration research and development laboratories in the United States, was mandating that its white, male executives attend anti-white training sessions. Since then, a whistleblower has emerged, describing in detail the anti-white “critical race theory” that Sandia's management is foisting on employees at all levels, even though these racial attacks in the material manifestly violate federal law.
In mid-August, Christopher Rufo published a Twitter thread about a blatantly anti-white seminar at Sandia. To understand how wrong that seminar was, you need to know that Sandia, as a taxpayer-funded contractor for the U.S. Department of Energy's National Nuclear Security Administration, must comply with federal anti-discrimination regulations. Thus, Executive Order 11246 Subpart B, sec. 202 states in relevant part:
The contractor will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. The contractor will take affirmative action to ensure that applicants are employed, and that employees are treated during employment, without regard to their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin.
Last I looked, white employees ticked off two boxes in the protected classes above: race and color.
Casey Peterson, an electrical engineer, has been unhappy about the direction that Sandia is taking. The seminar described in Rufo's Twitter thread — as well as the fact that it was required only for white men — struck him as discriminatory. Moreover, Peterson believes that critical race theory is a dangerous form of anti-white discrimination premised on false facts and crackpot theories.
Peterson did something audacious in today's environment: he pushed back hard, creating a lengthy, detailed, factually supported video challenging the critical race theory that forms the basis of Sandia's undoubtedly illegally and contractually violative race-based discrimination. Christopher Rufo picks up the story:
There is a civil war erupting at @SandiaLabs. Following my investigation, a dissident electrical engineer named Casey Peterson emailed all 16,000 employees denouncing critical race theory in the lab and hoping to spark a rebellion against Sandia executives. Here's the story.�� On Tuesday, Peterson made a YouTube video “pushing back back on the narrative of modern systemic racism and white privilege.” The video quickly hit 10,000 views within the labs and dozens of Sandia employees contacted Peterson to express support. Within hours, Sandia executives dispatched a counterintelligence team to lock Peterson out of the network and scrub his communications from internal servers — which, via the Streisand Effect, made the video even more viral and sparked widespread unrest against Sandia executives. By the afternoon, executives were panicking about the brewing rebellion, placed Peterson on paid administrative leave, and established a “security review board” to “evaluate whether [his] actions have comprised [sic] or posed a threat to Sandia computing and security systems.” Peterson — who took a stand at grave risk to his career — says he is speaking on behalf of all of Sandia employees who are “scared to speak out” because of the lab's repressive culture. “If I get fired because of this,” Peterson says, “the fight does not end, it only intensifies.” This is the first explicit rebellion against critical race theory in the federal government — and the coalition is growing. “We need to completely rip [critical race theory] out of Sandia root and stem,” Peterson says. “It is cancer and we need to get it out of the labs right now.” Sandia executives have made it clear: they want to force critical race theory, race-segregated trainings, and white male reeducation camps on their employees — and all dissent will be severely punished. Progressive employees will be rewarded; conservative employees will be purged. Keep this in mind: Sandia Labs is a federally-funded research agency and designs America's nuclear weapons. Senator @HawleyMO and @SecBrouillette have launched an inspector general investigation, but Sandia executives have only accelerated their purge against conservatives. Sandia executives face a decision-point: they can back down and Peterson's rebellion will notch an internal victory; or they can fire him and Peterson will become further evidence of Sandia's corrupt and repressive culture. In a sense, Peterson cannot lose. According to multiple sources, the executives who have pushed the most toxic elements of critical race theory and race-segregated trainings are James Peerey, Dori Ellis, David White (he/him), and Mark Sellers. They must be investigated by the Inspector General. Here's the bottom line: this is the first shot in the rebellion against critical race theory in the federal government. Casey Peterson has taken a courageous stand and the Inspector General must conduct a full investigation of Sandia Labs — and hold executives accountable. We are opening up a multi-front war against critical race theory in the federal government: (1) investigative reporting to expose the truth; (2) internal rebellions to increase the pressure; (3) inspector general investigations; (4) laying the groundwork for an executive order. It might take time, there might be losses, but we will achieve victory! Swords up!⚔ Prayers up! ��
The lily-white executives appear to be committed to forcing critical race theory on their trapped employees. Therefore, we can expect that Peterson, who is currently on paid leave, will lose his job. Corporations, especially those with ties to the Deep State, know that whistleblower laws no longer protect people who do not advance progressive ideologies.
Looking ahead, if we find ourselves in Trump's America after November 3, Peterson will at least get justice eventually. However, if we're in Biden's America, the Petersons of this world will be silenced.
Published with permission from the American Thinker.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-02--‘Baby Lives Matter’ chalked on street in front of infamous Carhart abortion facility

BELLEVUE , Nebraska , September 2 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — As pro-life activists arrived for their shifts this morning at LeRoy Carhart ’ s notorious Bellevue , Nebraska abortion facility , they were greeted with a surprise .
On the street near the front door of the clinic were painted the words , “ Baby Lives Matter , Including Black Babies ” in bright pink and blue paint .
Pro-life message painted in the street outside LeRoy Carhart ’ s abortion business on Bert Murphy Blvd .
in Bellevue , Nebraska .
The door on the far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , two activists with Students for Life were arrested in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Washington , D.C. for simply applying pro-life messages to the sidewalk with chalk .
There have been no arrests in Bellevue — so far anyway .
Those who painted the street in front of Carhart ’ s abortion business remain anonymous , but their message will be the last thing women see before they walk into the facility for abortions .
We pray it touches those ladies ’ hearts and helps them make a decision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nebraska pro-lifer who sent us the video and photo !

The facility belongs to LeRoy Carhart, one of America's most notorious and dangerous late-term abortionists.
BELLEVUE, Nebraska, September 2, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — As pro-life activists arrived for their shifts this morning at LeRoy Carhart’s notorious Bellevue, Nebraska abortion facility, they were greeted with a surprise. On the street near the front door of the clinic were painted the words, “Baby Lives Matter, Including Black Babies” in bright pink and blue paint.
Pro-life message painted in the street outside LeRoy Carhart’s abortion business on Bert Murphy Blvd. in Bellevue, Nebraska. The door on the far right is the clinic entrance.
Recently, two activists with Students for Life were arrested in front of the Planned Parenthood abortion facility in Washington, D.C. for simply applying pro-life messages to the sidewalk with chalk.
There have been no arrests in Bellevue — so far anyway.
Those who painted the street in front of Carhart’s abortion business remain anonymous, but their message will be the last thing women see before they walk into the facility for abortions. We pray it touches those ladies’ hearts and helps them make a decision to walk away.
________
H/T to the Nebraska pro-lifer who sent us the video and photo!
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-02--Baby saved as mother suffers apparent stroke while approaching abortion appointment

CLEVELAND , Ohio , September 2 , 2020 ( Operation Rescue ) — A 22-year-old woman reported to a scheduled abortion appointment at Preterm in Cleveland , Ohio , when she began to feel ill. She and her friend were seen entering the clinic , but moments later left and returned to their car , according to pro-life activist Fred Sokol , who was on the scene and photographed the incident .
The 911 call recording , obtained by Operation Rescue , showed that a sobbing and hysterical woman had suffered symptoms that caused the emergency dispatcher to screen her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call , placed on August 19 , 2020 , was so chaotic , it took several minutes to determine the woman ’ s symptoms .
“ She ’ s about to have a heart attack .
We need an ambulance , ” the woman ’ s friend told the 911 dispatcher .
Throughout the call the woman could be heard crying and shouting for help because she could not move .
A synopsis of the call is transcribed below .
911 : Okay , tell me exactly what happened .
Caller : Nothing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ yeah , she can ’ t move .
Caller : She ’ s numb and stuff all over her body .
She can ’ t breathe or none of that .
She says she ’ s about to pass out .
911 : Did she ever have a stroke before ?
Caller : No , she never felt like this before , ever .
Caller : She was on her way to get an abortion , she just started feeling like this .
She ain ’ t never got sick like this before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t about to do that .
She trying .
Woman : The only thing I can move is my fingers !
The woman was also unable to raise her arms straight out in front of her .
But it was when she was asked to repeat the phrase , “ Early bird catches the worm , ” that her patience ran out .
The woman began to scream and sob .
“ Just get here , ” she said , then later cried , “ I ’ m about to die !
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the call for help was placed , a fire truck arrived at Preterm , followed by an ambulance .
By then , the woman had recovered enough to walk under her own power to the ambulance .
After being treated in the ambulance for about five minutes , the woman was transported to University Hospital for additional care .
“ If there was any bright side to this frightening incident , it appears that the woman did not have an abortion that day .
Maybe her possible stroke was a sign from God @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attack , but whatever happened , her baby was given a reprieve from suffering a brutal death by abortion , ” said Troy Newman , President of Operation Rescue .
“ We pray she recovered fully and that she had time to reconsider her decision .
We hope she will not return to Preterm for an abortion .
That indeed would be a happy ending to her traumatic experience .
”

CLEVELAND, Ohio, September 2, 2020 (Operation Rescue) — A 22-year-old woman reported to a scheduled abortion appointment at Preterm in Cleveland, Ohio, when she began to feel ill. She and her friend were seen entering the clinic, but moments later left and returned to their car, according to pro-life activist Fred Sokol, who was on the scene and photographed the incident.
The 911 call recording, obtained by Operation Rescue, showed that a sobbing and hysterical woman had suffered symptoms that caused the emergency dispatcher to screen her for a possible stroke. The 911 call, placed on August 19, 2020, was so chaotic, it took several minutes to determine the woman’s symptoms.
“She’s about to have a heart attack. We need an ambulance,” the woman’s friend told the 911 dispatcher. Throughout the call the woman could be heard crying and shouting for help because she could not move.
A synopsis of the call is transcribed below.
911: Okay, tell me exactly what happened. Caller: Nothing happened. She’s just — yeah, she can’t move. Caller: She’s numb and stuff all over her body. She can’t breathe or none of that. She says she’s about to pass out. . . . 911: Did she ever have a stroke before? Caller: No, she never felt like this before, ever. Caller: She was on her way to get an abortion, she just started feeling like this. She ain’t never got sick like this before. 911: Ask her to smile. Caller: She — she ain’t about to do that. She trying. Woman: The only thing I can move is my fingers!
The woman was also unable to raise her arms straight out in front of her. But it was when she was asked to repeat the phrase, “Early bird catches the worm,” that her patience ran out.
The woman began to scream and sob. “Just get here,” she said, then later cried, “I’m about to die!”
Finally, about ten minutes after the call for help was placed, a fire truck arrived at Preterm, followed by an ambulance. By then, the woman had recovered enough to walk under her own power to the ambulance.
After being treated in the ambulance for about five minutes, the woman was transported to University Hospital for additional care.
“If there was any bright side to this frightening incident, it appears that the woman did not have an abortion that day. Maybe her possible stroke was a sign from God or maybe she just had a panic attack, but whatever happened, her baby was given a reprieve from suffering a brutal death by abortion,” said Troy Newman, President of Operation Rescue. “We pray she recovered fully and that she had time to reconsider her decision. We hope she will not return to Preterm for an abortion. That indeed would be a happy ending to her traumatic experience.”
Published with permission from Operation Rescue.
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lifesitenews--2020-09-02--New study finds hormonal contraceptives affect ‘brain structure and function’

September 2 , 2020 ( Live Action News ) — A new study has found that using hormonal birth control can change a woman ’ s brain structure and function .
Nafissa Ismail , the corresponding author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa , spoke to PsyPost about their findings .
The study was published in Hormones and Behavior , a peer-reviewed scientific journal .
“ Millions of women worldwide use oral contraceptives ( i.e.
, birth control pill ; OCs ) , often starting during puberty/adolescence , ” the study abstract read .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ reactivity , and brain structure and function in OC users using the Trier Social Stress Test and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging ( MRI ) .
Our results show that OC use during puberty/adolescence gives rise to a blunted stress response and alters brain activation during working memory processing .
OC use , in general , is also linked to increased prefrontal brain activation during working memory processing for negatively arousing stimuli.
” To sum up , “ OC use is also related to significant structural changes in brain regions implicated in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these findings highlight that OC use induces changes to brain structure and function and alters stress reactivity.
” “ Oral contraceptives have been commercially available for over 60 years and are currently used by 150 million women worldwide .
However , little is known about their behavioral and neurophysiological effects , especially during puberty/early adolescence , a critical period of development , ” Ismail told PsyPost .
“ We were particularly interested in investigating the effect of oral contraceptives on brain structure and function , especially in women who began taking oral contraceptives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ imaging , 75 women were given a test of working memory , which is a cognitive system made to hold information temporarily , allowing someone to keep something in mind while they ’ re doing something else .
Additionally , 140 more women were given the Trier Social Stress Test , a laboratory test designed to increase stress levels while participants perform math exercises and give a speech .
Women who began using birth control during puberty or adolescence had a “ blunted ” cortisol response to the stress test .
“ We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ structure and function between oral contraceptive users and non-OC users .
Oral contraceptive users display different brain activity during working memory processing of negative images compared to non-OC users , ” Ismail said .
“ Women who started using oral contraceptives during puberty/adolescence display a blunted stress response and experience different brain activity during working memory processing of neutral images compared to women who started using oral contraceptives during adulthood.
” Birth control use during puberty was also linked with structural changes in areas of the brain linked to emotion and memory .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a neural mechanism for why some women develop mood-related disorders following oral contraceptive use.
” She added , “ One possibility is depression .
Some women have complained of depression symptoms during oral contraceptive use .
We need to be aware of it and talk to our physician if we are experiencing these symptoms.
” There are numerous potential side effects of hormonal birth control , including various mental health issues .
Many women are not informed of the risks before taking it even though some side effects — like blood clots — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies like this one is not necessarily to discourage women from taking birth control , but to ensure that women truly have informed consent before taking it .
“ The goal of our research is not to worry women or to discourage them from taking oral contraceptives , ” Ismail said .
“ We just want to advise them so that they can make an informed decision about what is best for them .
There is still a lot of work to be done to fully understand the impact of oral contraceptives on @ @ @ @ @ @

Among other findings, birth control use during puberty was linked with structural changes in areas of the brain linked to emotion and memory.
September 2, 2020 (Live Action News) — A new study has found that using hormonal birth control can change a woman’s brain structure and function. Nafissa Ismail, the corresponding author of the study and an associate professor at the University of Ottawa, spoke to PsyPost about their findings. The study was published in Hormones and Behavior, a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
“Millions of women worldwide use oral contraceptives (i.e., birth control pill; OCs), often starting during puberty/adolescence,” the study abstract read. “[W]e examined stress reactivity, and brain structure and function in OC users using the Trier Social Stress Test and structural and functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Our results show that OC use during puberty/adolescence gives rise to a blunted stress response and alters brain activation during working memory processing. OC use, in general, is also linked to increased prefrontal brain activation during working memory processing for negatively arousing stimuli.”
To sum up, “OC use is also related to significant structural changes in brain regions implicated in memory and emotional processing. Together, these findings highlight that OC use induces changes to brain structure and function and alters stress reactivity.”
“Oral contraceptives have been commercially available for over 60 years and are currently used by 150 million women worldwide. However, little is known about their behavioral and neurophysiological effects, especially during puberty/early adolescence, a critical period of development,” Ismail told PsyPost. “We were particularly interested in investigating the effect of oral contraceptives on brain structure and function, especially in women who began taking oral contraceptives during puberty and adolescence.”
Using brain imaging, 75 women were given a test of working memory, which is a cognitive system made to hold information temporarily, allowing someone to keep something in mind while they’re doing something else. Additionally, 140 more women were given the Trier Social Stress Test, a laboratory test designed to increase stress levels while participants perform math exercises and give a speech. Women who began using birth control during puberty or adolescence had a “blunted” cortisol response to the stress test.
“We found that there are differences in brain structure and function between oral contraceptive users and non-OC users. Oral contraceptive users display different brain activity during working memory processing of negative images compared to non-OC users,” Ismail said. “Women who started using oral contraceptives during puberty/adolescence display a blunted stress response and experience different brain activity during working memory processing of neutral images compared to women who started using oral contraceptives during adulthood.”
Birth control use during puberty was also linked with structural changes in areas of the brain linked to emotion and memory. Ismail explained that this “could provide a neural mechanism for why some women develop mood-related disorders following oral contraceptive use.” She added, “One possibility is depression. Some women have complained of depression symptoms during oral contraceptive use. We need to be aware of it and talk to our physician if we are experiencing these symptoms.”
There are numerous potential side effects of hormonal birth control, including various mental health issues. Many women are not informed of the risks before taking it even though some side effects — like blood clots — can be deadly.
The aim of studies like this one is not necessarily to discourage women from taking birth control, but to ensure that women truly have informed consent before taking it. “The goal of our research is not to worry women or to discourage them from taking oral contraceptives,” Ismail said. “We just want to advise them so that they can make an informed decision about what is best for them. There is still a lot of work to be done to fully understand the impact of oral contraceptives on women’s health.”
Published with permission from Live Action News.
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