wnd--2020-05-05--Pink News and the Friendly Atheist: Lying about me is not a good look

It 's one thing when your ideological opponents reject your position .
That 's part of disagreement and debate .
It 's another thing when your opponents willfully misrepresent and even lie about your position .
That is actually a sign of the weakness of their own position .
If they were on the side of truth , they would not need to demonize their opponents or fabricate strawmen .
When it comes to the culture wars , it 's a given that the moment you differ with the standard LGBTQ talking points , you will be branded a bigot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You will be compared to Hitler and ISIS , and worse .
This has been the reality for decades .
But as ugly and revealing as these name-calling tactics are , it 's even more revealing when your ideological opponents simply lie about your position .
For example , in response to my article bemoaning the fact that Anderson Cooper 's son would not be raised by his mother , Emma Powys Maurice at Pink News wrote , `` Right-wing radio host Michael Brown , a man with a long history of anti-LGBT+ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to chime in on his podcast 'Line of Fire . '
'' Her article then interacts with my article , fairly and at length , and ends with this : `` We 'd urge him to consider whether the saddest thing could be that a right-wing pundit is reading tragedy into the birth of a child and fabricating problems for him before he 's even a week old – but that 's just us . ''
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern That was a gracious way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do appreciate it , Emma .
To be sure , Pink News used quite an interesting screen shot of me ( classic ! )
.
And their headline was not too subtle : `` Homophobe uses tragically flawed argument to explain why we should n't celebrate Anderson Cooper becoming a dad . ''
But it was the second sentence of the article that was so telling , with the volatile claim that I have `` a long history of anti-LGBT+ diatribes linking homosexuality with paedophilia . ''
Thankfully , Pink News provided a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ titled , `` Is God Responsible for a Pedophile 's Attractions ? ''
The article began with these words , printed in italics for emphasis : `` To ensure that there is no misunderstanding of any kind , please say these words out loud , slowly and clearly : Michael Brown is not comparing homosexuality to pedophilia .
Michael Brown is not calling homosexuals pedophiles .
Michael Brown is not comparing a mutually consensual , adult relationship to an abusive , adult-child relationship . ''
Could I have made the point any more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ way to start the article with a major caveat , printed in italics , to be 100 percent sure that no one could misunderstand or misrepresent my point .
Yet that is exactly what Pink News did , and willfully so , it would appear .
Why ?
Is their position so weak that , along with the name-calling , they need to rely on disinformation and lies ?
As for my article , my point was simple .
I was comparing `` an illogical justification of homosexuality that can just as easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ namely , that is must be right because someone is born that way .
I also wrote , `` What about those who , to the core of their being , struggle with pride ?
Or anger ?
Or greed ?
Or jealousy ?
What does this prove ?
It proves that we are a fallen , broken race in need of a Savior .
And what about the claims of a violent gene or a selfish gene or an obesity gene ?
`` Do we therefore celebrate violence , selfishness or obesity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are genetic ?
Or , if we have these alleged genetic tendencies , do we work harder to overcome them ? ''
My purpose was to illustrate how the `` born that way '' argument for homosexuality is self-defeating , opening the door to all kinds of counter-arguments , including the argument that pedophiles can claim to be born that way .
But why care about accurate reporting when your goal is to defame your ideological opponents ?
Again , this shows weakness , not strength .
Even more dishonest was the article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He wrote , `` Michael Brown , who has a long history of anti-LGBTQ diatribes , is already complaining about it on YouTube .
This is the same guy who promotes conversion torture , links homosexuality with pedophilia , and said just two months ago that a gay-married president ( Pete Buttigieg ) would `` contribute to the further degeneration and moral confusion of our society '' ( his emphasis ) .
So , not only does the Friendly Atheist repeat the lie that I link homosexuality with pedophilia , but he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promote `` conversion torture . ''
What is his support for this claim ?
Hemant links to a page on the oft-discredited SPLC website which begins by saying , `` Michael Brown is not typical of most who push the idea that a cabal of liberal media elites have orchestrated a so-called 'homosexual agenda ' to indoctrinate children into a lifestyle that makes a mockery of Christian values . ''
( Am I not typical because of my educational background ?
Because of my other ministry work ?
Because of my tone ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ . )
As to the claim that I link homosexuality to pedophilia , the SPLC can do no better than cite my question as to whether Penn State 's Jerry Sandusky , who engaged in sexual acts with young men and minors , engaged in acts that `` were homosexual in nature . ''
That 's it .
What of the outright , fabricated lie that I promote `` conversion torture '' ?
In more than 1,700 pages of relevant writing on LGBT issues ( to use a conservative number ) , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and seminars , I have never written or said anything that could possibly be construed to support this statement .
Not a sentence .
Not a syllable .
Nothing .
I have simply stated my support for the rights of those with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive professional counseling if they desire .
That 's it .
I believe that someone who is not happy being gay has the right to sit with a counselor ( or pastor ) and talk about his or her attractions and desires .
And if they are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Many testify that they have been helped , and I have no reason to doubt their stories .
What does this have to do with `` conversion torture , '' whatever that means ?
Nothing whatsoever .
It would be as if I said , `` I think it 's great when a dad has a heart to heart talk with his son , '' for which I was accused of advocating child abuse .
But that is the dishonesty of the Friendly Atheist and of Pink News , a dishonesty that only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we will have our disagreements , profoundly so , for sure .
But let us have them based on truth , rather than on lies .
And let Pink News and the Friendly Atheist demonstrate some integrity by correcting the misinformation they have posted about me .
And if either Emma or Hemant want to discuss our differences on the air , they are both welcome to join me for an equal time discussion on my radio show .
Emma and Hemant , what do you say ?

It's one thing when your ideological opponents reject your position. That's part of disagreement and debate. It's another thing when your opponents willfully misrepresent and even lie about your position. That is actually a sign of the weakness of their own position. If they were on the side of truth, they would not need to demonize their opponents or fabricate strawmen.
When it comes to the culture wars, it's a given that the moment you differ with the standard LGBTQ talking points, you will be branded a bigot, a hater and a homophobe. You will be compared to Hitler and ISIS, and worse. This has been the reality for decades.
But as ugly and revealing as these name-calling tactics are, it's even more revealing when your ideological opponents simply lie about your position.
For example, in response to my article bemoaning the fact that Anderson Cooper's son would not be raised by his mother, Emma Powys Maurice at Pink News wrote, "Right-wing radio host Michael Brown, a man with a long history of anti-LGBT+ diatribes linking homosexuality with paedophilia, decided to chime in on his podcast 'Line of Fire.'"
Her article then interacts with my article, fairly and at length, and ends with this: "We'd urge him to consider whether the saddest thing could be that a right-wing pundit is reading tragedy into the birth of a child and fabricating problems for him before he's even a week old – but that's just us."
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
That was a gracious way to end the article, and I do appreciate it, Emma.
To be sure, Pink News used quite an interesting screen shot of me (classic!). And their headline was not too subtle: "Homophobe uses tragically flawed argument to explain why we shouldn't celebrate Anderson Cooper becoming a dad."
But it was the second sentence of the article that was so telling, with the volatile claim that I have "a long history of anti-LGBT+ diatribes linking homosexuality with paedophilia." Thankfully, Pink News provided a link to an article of mine, titled, "Is God Responsible for a Pedophile's Attractions?"
The article began with these words, printed in italics for emphasis: "To ensure that there is no misunderstanding of any kind, please say these words out loud, slowly and clearly: Michael Brown is not comparing homosexuality to pedophilia. Michael Brown is not calling homosexuals pedophiles. Michael Brown is not comparing a mutually consensual, adult relationship to an abusive, adult-child relationship."
Could I have made the point any more clearly? I went out of my way to start the article with a major caveat, printed in italics, to be 100 percent sure that no one could misunderstand or misrepresent my point. Yet that is exactly what Pink News did, and willfully so, it would appear. Why?
Is their position so weak that, along with the name-calling, they need to rely on disinformation and lies?
As for my article, my point was simple. I was comparing "an illogical justification of homosexuality that can just as easily be used to justify pedophilia," namely, that is must be right because someone is born that way.
I also wrote, "What about those who, to the core of their being, struggle with pride? Or anger? Or greed? Or jealousy? What does this prove? It proves that we are a fallen, broken race in need of a Savior. And what about the claims of a violent gene or a selfish gene or an obesity gene?
"Do we therefore celebrate violence, selfishness or obesity, if, in fact, they are genetic? Or, if we have these alleged genetic tendencies, do we work harder to overcome them?"
My purpose was to illustrate how the "born that way" argument for homosexuality is self-defeating, opening the door to all kinds of counter-arguments, including the argument that pedophiles can claim to be born that way.
But why care about accurate reporting when your goal is to defame your ideological opponents? Again, this shows weakness, not strength.
Even more dishonest was the article by Hemant Mehta on the Friendly Atheist. He wrote, "Michael Brown, who has a long history of anti-LGBTQ diatribes, is already complaining about it on YouTube. This is the same guy who promotes conversion torture, links homosexuality with pedophilia, and said just two months ago that a gay-married president (Pete Buttigieg) would "contribute to the further degeneration and moral confusion of our society" (his emphasis).
So, not only does the Friendly Atheist repeat the lie that I link homosexuality with pedophilia, but he adds a new one, claiming I promote "conversion torture." What is his support for this claim?
Hemant links to a page on the oft-discredited SPLC website which begins by saying, "Michael Brown is not typical of most who push the idea that a cabal of liberal media elites have orchestrated a so-called 'homosexual agenda' to indoctrinate children into a lifestyle that makes a mockery of Christian values." (Am I not typical because of my educational background? Because of my other ministry work? Because of my tone? That was not clear from their site.)
As to the claim that I link homosexuality to pedophilia, the SPLC can do no better than cite my question as to whether Penn State's Jerry Sandusky, who engaged in sexual acts with young men and minors, engaged in acts that "were homosexual in nature." That's it.
What of the outright, fabricated lie that I promote "conversion torture"?
In more than 1,700 pages of relevant writing on LGBT issues (to use a conservative number), and in hundreds of hours of radio broadcasts and seminars, I have never written or said anything that could possibly be construed to support this statement. Not a sentence. Not a syllable. Nothing.
I have simply stated my support for the rights of those with unwanted same-sex attraction to receive professional counseling if they desire. That's it.
I believe that someone who is not happy being gay has the right to sit with a counselor (or pastor) and talk about his or her attractions and desires. And if they are helped in the process, wonderful. Many testify that they have been helped, and I have no reason to doubt their stories.
What does this have to do with "conversion torture," whatever that means? Nothing whatsoever.
It would be as if I said, "I think it's great when a dad has a heart to heart talk with his son," for which I was accused of advocating child abuse.
But that is the dishonesty of the Friendly Atheist and of Pink News, a dishonesty that only discredits their cause.
By all means, we will have our disagreements, profoundly so, for sure. But let us have them based on truth, rather than on lies.
And let Pink News and the Friendly Atheist demonstrate some integrity by correcting the misinformation they have posted about me. And if either Emma or Hemant want to discuss our differences on the air, they are both welcome to join me for an equal time discussion on my radio show.
Emma and Hemant, what do you say?


wnd--2020-05-05--Pastor fined $300 for church gathering, vows to defy governor again

( WHDH ) -- WORCESTER , Massachusetts -- A pastor was slapped with a $ 300 fine after repeatedly holding @ @ @ @ @ church in defiance of an order by Gov .
Charlie Baker .
Despite this fine @ @ @ @ @ will continue .
Pastor Kristopher Casey held a service Sunday for 45 people just a @ @ @ @ @ 55 people at Adams Square Baptist Church , according to city officials .
This violates @ @ @ @ @ no gatherings of more than 10 people amid the coronavirus pandemic .

(WHDH) -- WORCESTER, Massachusetts -- A pastor was slapped with a $300 fine after repeatedly holding large gatherings inside his Worcester church in defiance of an order by Gov. Charlie Baker. Despite this fine, he says in-person services will continue.
Pastor Kristopher Casey held a service Sunday for 45 people just a week after hosting more than 55 people at Adams Square Baptist Church, according to city officials.
This violates Baker’s order on no gatherings of more than 10 people amid the coronavirus pandemic.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-05--Teacher magazine sorry for letter which questioned LGBT instruction in class

( THE COLLEGE FIX ) -- The official magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers formally apologized to its readers @ @ @ @ @ which a teacher asked about LGBT lessons and students ’ ( and teachers ’ ) @ @ @ @ @ Everyday for Life Canada , math teacher Nancy George wrote the following in the December @ @ @ @ @ We know that our boards place much importance on inclusion .
But we need to @ @ @ @ @ this might not always be in line with teachers ’ and students ’ religious convictions @ @ @ @ @ inclusion and freedom to these teachers and students ?
Are they given enough freedom for @ @ @

(THE COLLEGE FIX) -- The official magazine of the Ontario College of Teachers formally apologized to its readers for publishing a letter in which a teacher asked about LGBT lessons and students’ (and teachers’) personal beliefs.
According to Everyday for Life Canada, math teacher Nancy George wrote the following in the December issue of Professionally Speaking:
We know that our boards place much importance on inclusion. But we need to dig deeper and realize that this might not always be in line with teachers’ and students’ religious convictions. How do we show inclusion and freedom to these teachers and students? Are they given enough freedom for their beliefs?
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-05--Obama complains about Michael Jordan's famous 'Republicans buy sneakers too' comment

Former President Barack Obama said he was upset that NBA legend Michael Jordan did n't use his fame to engage in Democrat political activism during his historic run with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s .
The six-time NBA champion has largely avoided social commentary and political activism throughout his very public life and career .
Unlike many of today ’ s NBA players , Jordan apparently knew he was at his best when draining shots and dunking on his on-court adversaries .
Still , the basketball legend 's penchant for letting his talent speak for him wasn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he wished Jordan would have inserted himself into social activism by , at the very least , endorsing a Democrat in his native state of North Carolina three decades ago .
As outlined in ESPN ’ s Jordan documentary “ The Last Dance , ” currently airing on the network , Jordan refused to endorse Democrat Harvey Gantt , who was challenging incumbent Republican Jesse Helms in North Carolina ’ s Senate race in 1990 .
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern In the 1995 book “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote that Jordan was asked to endorse Gantt but declined .
Jordan was quoted as saying , “ Republicans buy sneakers , too.
” “ He wasn ’ t into politics , he explained , didn ’ t really know the issues , ” Smith wrote .
Smith said Jordan made the “ sneakers ” comment to a pair of his Bulls teammates .
The Hall of Famer addressed the quote , and whether he needed to correct it , Sunday in the ESPN documentary series .
`` I do n't think that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said it in jest on a bus with Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen , '' Jordan said .
`` It was thrown off the cuff .
My mother asked to do a PSA for Harvey Gantt , and I said , 'Look , Mom , I 'm not speaking out of pocket about someone that I do n't know .
But I will send a contribution to support him . '
Which is what I did , ” he added .
On being compared to activist boxer Muhammad Ali , Jordan said : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ standing up for what he believed in .
But I never thought of myself as an activist .
I thought of myself as a basketball player . ''
`` I was n't a politician when I was playing my sport .
I was focused on my craft .
Was that selfish ?
Probably .
But that was my energy .
That 's where my energy was , ” he said .
But Obama , who resided in Chicago and represented Illinois in the Senate before being elected president , was displeased .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it was reported that Michael said ‘ Republicans buy sneakers too , ’ for somebody who was at that time preparing for a career in civil rights law and public life , and knowing what Jesse Helms stood for , you would have wanted to see Michael push harder on that , ” the former president said in `` The Last Dance . ''
“ On the other hand , he was still trying to figure out , ‘ How am I managing this image that has been created around me , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ? '
'' Obama added .
But Michael Jordan does not live to be told how to behave -- and will not be corraled into supporting the political causes of Democrats .
`` It 's never going to be enough for everybody , and I know that , '' Jordan said in the ESPN series .
`` I realize that .
Because everybody has a preconceived idea for what I should do and what I should n't do .
`` The way I go about my life is I set examples .
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will continue to do that .
If it does n't ?
Then maybe I 'm not the person you should be following . ''
While his decision to remain apolitical might be intertwined with his business interests and merchandise sales , Jordan 's choice to remain apart from partisan politics is something many of us wish the current lineup of NBA stars would do .
“ Gee , let me Google to see what pro-China LeBron James thinks about this ” is likely not something most people do before they enter a voting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jordan ’ s behavior , both on and off the court , resulted in him being revered as one of the greatest athletes to ever play competitive sports and helped him to acquire more than $ 2 billion in wealth , according to Forbes .
Meanwhile , he never alienated half of his fans , or supported Democrats or dictatorships , by overestimating his influence .
Perhaps more star athletes should try to `` Be Like Mike . ''
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal .

Former President Barack Obama said he was upset that NBA legend Michael Jordan didn't use his fame to engage in Democrat political activism during his historic run with the Chicago Bulls in the 1990s.
The six-time NBA champion has largely avoided social commentary and political activism throughout his very public life and career.
Unlike many of today’s NBA players, Jordan apparently knew he was at his best when draining shots and dunking on his on-court adversaries.
Still, the basketball legend's penchant for letting his talent speak for him wasn’t good enough for Obama, who said he wished Jordan would have inserted himself into social activism by, at the very least, endorsing a Democrat in his native state of North Carolina three decades ago.
As outlined in ESPN’s Jordan documentary “The Last Dance,” currently airing on the network, Jordan refused to endorse Democrat Harvey Gantt, who was challenging incumbent Republican Jesse Helms in North Carolina’s Senate race in 1990.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
In the 1995 book “Second Coming,” author Sam Smith wrote that Jordan was asked to endorse Gantt but declined.
Jordan was quoted as saying, “Republicans buy sneakers, too.”
“He wasn’t into politics, he explained, didn’t really know the issues,” Smith wrote.
Smith said Jordan made the “sneakers” comment to a pair of his Bulls teammates.
The Hall of Famer addressed the quote, and whether he needed to correct it, Sunday in the ESPN documentary series.
"I don't think that statement needs to be corrected because I said it in jest on a bus with Horace Grant and Scottie Pippen," Jordan said.
"It was thrown off the cuff. My mother asked to do a PSA for Harvey Gantt, and I said, 'Look, Mom, I'm not speaking out of pocket about someone that I don't know. But I will send a contribution to support him.' Which is what I did,” he added.
On being compared to activist boxer Muhammad Ali, Jordan said: "I do commend Muhammad Ali for standing up for what he believed in. But I never thought of myself as an activist. I thought of myself as a basketball player."
"I wasn't a politician when I was playing my sport. I was focused on my craft. Was that selfish? Probably. But that was my energy. That's where my energy was,” he said.
But Obama, who resided in Chicago and represented Illinois in the Senate before being elected president, was displeased.
“I’ll be honest, when it was reported that Michael said ‘Republicans buy sneakers too,’ for somebody who was at that time preparing for a career in civil rights law and public life, and knowing what Jesse Helms stood for, you would have wanted to see Michael push harder on that,” the former president said in "The Last Dance."
“On the other hand, he was still trying to figure out, ‘How am I managing this image that has been created around me, and how do I live up to it?'" Obama added.
But Michael Jordan does not live to be told how to behave -- and will not be corraled into supporting the political causes of Democrats.
Michael Jordan - "Republicans buy sneakers too" The GOAT never bent the knee to politics. Be Like Mike #TheLastDance pic.twitter.com/EEHw2MNmlO — Jeremy Prime (@DDayCobra) May 4, 2020
"It's never going to be enough for everybody, and I know that," Jordan said in the ESPN series. "I realize that. Because everybody has a preconceived idea for what I should do and what I shouldn't do.
"The way I go about my life is I set examples. If it inspires you? Great, I will continue to do that. If it doesn't? Then maybe I'm not the person you should be following."
While his decision to remain apolitical might be intertwined with his business interests and merchandise sales, Jordan's choice to remain apart from partisan politics is something many of us wish the current lineup of NBA stars would do.
“Gee, let me Google to see what pro-China LeBron James thinks about this” is likely not something most people do before they enter a voting booth -- and for good reason.
Jordan’s behavior, both on and off the court, resulted in him being revered as one of the greatest athletes to ever play competitive sports and helped him to acquire more than $2 billion in wealth, according to Forbes.
Meanwhile, he never alienated half of his fans, or supported Democrats or dictatorships, by overestimating his influence.
Perhaps more star athletes should try to "Be Like Mike."
This article appeared originally on The Western Journal.


wnd--2020-05-06--Facebook yanks accounts linked to QAnon conspiracy theory

( AP ) -- OAKLAND , Calif. — Facebook says it has removed several groups , accounts and pages linked @ @ @ @ @ for the first time against the far-right U.S. conspiracy theory circulated among supporters of President @ @ @ @ @ giant made the announcement Tuesday as part of its monthly briefing on “ coordinated inauthentic @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s Facebook ’ s term for fake accounts run with the intent @ @ @ @ @ society .
In addition to the QAnon accounts , Facebook also removed accounts linked to @ @ @ @ @ known for posting anti-immigration content , as well as accounts in Russia , Iran , @ @ @ @ @ country of Georgia .

(AP) -- OAKLAND, Calif. — Facebook says it has removed several groups, accounts and pages linked to QAnon, taking action for the first time against the far-right U.S. conspiracy theory circulated among supporters of President Donald Trump.
The social-media giant made the announcement Tuesday as part of its monthly briefing on “coordinated inauthentic behavior” on its platforms. That’s Facebook’s term for fake accounts run with the intent of disrupting politics elections and society.
In addition to the QAnon accounts, Facebook also removed accounts linked to VDARE, a U.S. website known for posting anti-immigration content, as well as accounts in Russia, Iran, Mauritania, Myanmar and the country of Georgia.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-06--Ruth Bader Ginsburg has 'non-surgical' treatment for gallbladder condition

( CNBC ) -- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday with an infection caused by a gallstone , but @ @ @ @ @ the court ’ s arguments by telephone Wednesday , the Supreme Court said .
The @ @ @ @ @ for what the court described as acute cholecystitis , a benign gall bladder condition , @ @ @ @ @ Baltimore , Maryland .
She is resting comfortably and expects to be in the hospital @ @ @ @ @ , the court said .

(CNBC) -- Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg was hospitalized Tuesday with an infection caused by a gallstone, but plans to take part in the court’s arguments by telephone Wednesday, the Supreme Court said.
The 87-year-old justice underwent non-surgical treatment for what the court described as acute cholecystitis, a benign gall bladder condition, at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland.
She is resting comfortably and expects to be in the hospital for a day or two, the court said.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-06--Obama will headline televised prime-time commencement

( AP ) -- Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the high school Class @ @ @ @ @ event that will also feature LeBron James , Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt , among @ @ @ @ @ , Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT @ @ @ @ @ other broadcast and digital streaming partners , according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers .
@ @ @ @ @ Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join , as will the @ @ @ @ @ , Bad Bunny , Lena Waithe , Pharrell Williams , Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R .

(AP) -- Former President Barack Obama will deliver a televised prime-time commencement address for the high school Class of 2020 during an hour-long event that will also feature LeBron James, Malala Yousafzai and Ben Platt, among others.
ABC, CBS, Fox and NBC will simultaneously air the special May 16 at 8 p.m. EDT along with more than 20 other broadcast and digital streaming partners, according to the announcement Tuesday from organizers.
Several high school students from Chicago public schools and the Obama Youth Jobs Corps will join, as will the Jonas Brothers, Yara Shahidi, Bad Bunny, Lena Waithe, Pharrell Williams, Megan Rapinoe and H.E.R.
Read the full story ›


wnd--2020-05-06--6 in 10 call phone tracking to enforce social distancing 'unacceptable'

Six of 10 Americans say they do n't want government to use cellphone tracking technology to make sure they are `` social distancing . ''
The Pew Research poll found that while 52 % say it 's `` at least somewhat acceptable for the government to use people 's cellphones to track the location of people who have tested positive for COVID-19 , '' 48 % are against it .
`` There is far less support when Americans are asked about the government using cellphones to track people 's locations to ensure they are complying with social distancing recommendations : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ very unacceptable , '' Pew said .
Just 37 % say it is somewhat or very acceptable .
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern Pew noted the Chinese coronavirus outbreak `` has brought privacy and surveillance concerns to the forefront . ''
The poll found 60 % of Americans believe that even if the government tracked locations through cell phones , `` it would n't make much of a difference in limiting the spread of COVID-19 . ''
Only 16 % believe it would help a lot @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might help `` a little . ''
Seven of 10 believe their personal information is less secure than a few years ago , while 24 % say the security is about the same .
`` A majority of Americans said last year that they were concerned about how companies or the government were using their personal data , but few said they understood what was being done with their information , '' Pew said .
Now , 79 % say they are at least somewhat concerned about how companies are using the data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same time , 64 % of Americans said they were somewhat or very concerned about government collection of their personal data , '' Pew said .
`` Yet relatively few Americans said they understood a great deal what was being done with the data collected about them by companies ( 6 % ) or the government ( 4 % ) . ''
About the same number , 70 % , believe all or most of what they do online or while using a cell phone is being tracked by advertisers , technology firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least partly because Americans see more risks than benefits in data collection .
Pew said it found `` a majority of Americans said they benefited very little or not at all from the data collected about them by companies ( 72 % ) and the government ( 76 % ) .
Large shares also said the potential risks of this kind of data collection outweighed the benefits : 81 % said this about data collected by companies and 66 % said it about data collected by the government . ''
Privacy has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they said .
`` Six-in-ten Americans ( 63 % ) said in 2019 that they knew very little or nothing at all about the laws and regulations currently in place to protect their data privacy ; just 3 % said they understood a great deal , '' Pew said .
The poll found 52 % had decided not to use a product or service because they were worried about how much personal information would be collected about them .

Six of 10 Americans say they don't want government to use cellphone tracking technology to make sure they are "social distancing."
The Pew Research poll found that while 52% say it's "at least somewhat acceptable for the government to use people's cellphones to track the location of people who have tested positive for COVID-19," 48% are against it.
"There is far less support when Americans are asked about the government using cellphones to track people's locations to ensure they are complying with social distancing recommendations: 62% say this is somewhat or very unacceptable," Pew said.
Just 37% say it is somewhat or very acceptable.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
Pew noted the Chinese coronavirus outbreak "has brought privacy and surveillance concerns to the forefront."
The poll found 60% of Americans believe that even if the government tracked locations through cell phones, "it wouldn't make much of a difference in limiting the spread of COVID-19."
Only 16% believe it would help a lot, and another 22% say it might help "a little."
Seven of 10 believe their personal information is less secure than a few years ago, while 24% say the security is about the same.
"A majority of Americans said last year that they were concerned about how companies or the government were using their personal data, but few said they understood what was being done with their information," Pew said.
Now, 79% say they are at least somewhat concerned about how companies are using the data collected about them.
"At the same time, 64% of Americans said they were somewhat or very concerned about government collection of their personal data," Pew said. "Yet relatively few Americans said they understood a great deal what was being done with the data collected about them by companies (6%) or the government (4%)."
About the same number, 70%, believe all or most of what they do online or while using a cell phone is being tracked by advertisers, technology firms or other companies.
The opposition arises at least partly because Americans see more risks than benefits in data collection.
Pew said it found "a majority of Americans said they benefited very little or not at all from the data collected about them by companies (72%) and the government (76%). Large shares also said the potential risks of this kind of data collection outweighed the benefits: 81% said this about data collected by companies and 66% said it about data collected by the government."
Privacy has become a more important consideration in decision-making, they said.
"Six-in-ten Americans (63%) said in 2019 that they knew very little or nothing at all about the laws and regulations currently in place to protect their data privacy; just 3% said they understood a great deal," Pew said.
The poll found 52% had decided not to use a product or service because they were worried about how much personal information would be collected about them.


wnd--2020-05-06--2 charged for seeking stimulus loan for fake employees

Well , that did n't take long .
Congress and President Trump approved the CARES Act at the end of March .
Now , in the first week of May , the Department of Justice has filed its first case alleging conspiracy and fraud under the law .
The case is the first to be brought against defendants seeking federal bailout money under the SBA 's Paycheck Protection loans .
The emergency loans are to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll .
The loans will be forgiven and turned into grants if certain conditions are met .
Now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been accused of filing fraudulent bank loan applications , seeking more than $ 500,000 .
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern The defendants are David A. Staveley , aka Kurt D. Sanborn , 52 , of Andover , Massachusetts , and David Butziger , 51 , of Warwick , Rhode Island .
They claimed `` to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business entities when , in fact , there were no employees working for any of the businesses , '' the DOJ said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ alleging conspiracy to make false statement to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud .
Additionally , Staveley is charged with aggravated identity theft .
Butziger is charged with bank fraud .
`` Every dollar stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program comes at the expense of employees and small business owners who are working hard to make it through these difficult times , '' said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department ’ s Criminal Division .
`` The Criminal Division is committed to working with our law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the important relief programs established under the CARES Act . ''
U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island added : `` Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic .
It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills .
Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S .
Attorneys to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related to coronavirus and COVID-19 , and we are doing just that . ''
Court documents accused the two of discussing `` via email the creation of fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentations to seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program ( PPP ) .
It is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions . ''
One application sought $ 438,500 for Staveley to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned in Warwick , Rhode Island , and Berlin , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the restaurants had been closed long before the COVID-19 pandemic , and Staveley did n't own the third restaurant he listed .
Butziger sought $ 105,381 to pay employees of a company called Dock Wireless , but federal investigators spoke with the listed `` employees '' and found they had never worked for Butziger , the DOJ said .
`` This is a critical time for our nation ’ s small businesses .
It is well known that fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions , '' said SBA Inspector General Hannibal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this result shows , SBA-OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA ’ s programs and bring those responsible to justice .
I want to thank the U.S. Attorney ’ s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication throughout this investigation.
” The CARES Act , passed March 29 , is to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic .
One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses , through the PPP .
In April 2020 , Congress authorized more than $ 300 billion in additional PPP funding .
The DOJ explained : `` The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent .
PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs , interest on mortgages , rent , and utilities .
The PPP allows the interest and principal to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll . ''

Well, that didn't take long.
Congress and President Trump approved the CARES Act at the end of March. Now, in the first week of May, the Department of Justice has filed its first case alleging conspiracy and fraud under the law.
The case is the first to be brought against defendants seeking federal bailout money under the SBA's Paycheck Protection loans. The emergency loans are to help small businesses keep employees on the payroll. The loans will be forgiven and turned into grants if certain conditions are met.
Now, two men in Rhode Island have been accused of filing fraudulent bank loan applications, seeking more than $500,000.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The defendants are David A. Staveley, aka Kurt D. Sanborn, 52, of Andover, Massachusetts, and David Butziger, 51, of Warwick, Rhode Island.
They claimed "to have dozens of employees earning wages at four different business entities when, in fact, there were no employees working for any of the businesses," the DOJ said.
They're facing a criminal complaint alleging conspiracy to make false statement to influence the SBA and conspiracy to commit bank fraud. Additionally, Staveley is charged with aggravated identity theft. Butziger is charged with bank fraud.
"Every dollar stolen from the Paycheck Protection Program comes at the expense of employees and small business owners who are working hard to make it through these difficult times," said Assistant Attorney General Brian A. Benczkowski of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. "The Criminal Division is committed to working with our law enforcement partners to root out abuse of the important relief programs established under the CARES Act."
U.S. Attorney Aaron L. Weisman for the District of Rhode Island added: "Tens of millions of Americans have lost their jobs and have had their lives thrown into chaos because of the coronavirus pandemic. It is unconscionable that anyone would attempt to steal from a program intended to help hard working Americans continue to be paid so they can feed their families and pay some of their bills. Attorney General Barr has directed all U.S. Attorneys to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of crimes related to coronavirus and COVID-19, and we are doing just that."
Court documents accused the two of discussing "via email the creation of fraudulent loan applications and supporting documentations to seek loans guaranteed by the SBA for COVID-19 relief through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). It is alleged that Staveley posed as his brother in real estate transactions."
One application sought $438,500 for Staveley to pay dozens of employees at three restaurants he owned in Warwick, Rhode Island, and Berlin, Massachusetts. But the DOJ said two of the restaurants had been closed long before the COVID-19 pandemic, and Staveley didn't own the third restaurant he listed.
Butziger sought $105,381 to pay employees of a company called Dock Wireless, but federal investigators spoke with the listed "employees" and found they had never worked for Butziger, the DOJ said.
"This is a critical time for our nation’s small businesses. It is well known that fraudsters prey upon those in vulnerable positions," said SBA Inspector General Hannibal “Mike” Ware. “As this result shows, SBA-OIG and its law enforcement partners are actively working together to root out fraud in SBA’s programs and bring those responsible to justice. I want to thank the U.S. Attorney’s Office and our law enforcement partners for their leadership and dedication throughout this investigation.”
The CARES Act, passed March 29, is to provide emergency financial assistance to the millions of Americans suffering the economic effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention and certain other expenses, through the PPP. In April 2020, Congress authorized more than $300 billion in additional PPP funding.
The DOJ explained: "The PPP allows qualifying small-businesses and other organizations to receive loans with a maturity of two years and an interest rate of 1 percent. PPP loan proceeds must be used by businesses on payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent, and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal to be forgiven if businesses spend the proceeds on these expenses within eight weeks of receipt and use at least 75 percent of the forgiven amount for payroll."


wnd--2020-05-05--Does America still have a prayer?

Does America still have a prayer?

As of this writing , the number of reported deaths in America from the coronavirus is almost 70,000 , and 30 million have abruptly lost work .
Scan the headlines these days , and the bad news because of the coronavirus seems to get worse and worse : • April 's unemployment is described by the Wall Street Journal as `` the largest one-month blow to the U.S. labor market on record '' ( May 3 ) .
The worst job loss ever .
• `` Universities across the country are being hit with lawsuits by students who are n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided after being told to leave campus '' ( Campusreform.com , April 27 ) .
• As one of six workers are suddenly out of a job , hunger is a growing problem .
The AP reports , `` Before the pandemic , food policy experts say , roughly one out of every eight or nine Americans struggled to stay fed .
Now as many as one out of every four are projected to join the ranks of the hungry '' ( May 4 ) .
Amidst all the bad news , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a prayer ?
Yes .
Thursday , May 7 , 2020 , is the National Day of Prayer .
And , boy , do we need it .
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern America , it could be said , was born in prayer .
We can even see an example in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol , where there are eight large paintings dedicated to aspects of our history .
One of them shows the Pilgrims having a prayer meeting with a large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one setback after another .
But they also experienced answers to prayer .
For example , when they were finally settled in the New World in 1621 , after a disastrous winter where half their number died , they planted their crops .
But then they experienced a great drought .
The parched conditions threatened their first crop of corn , and it looked like the year 's harvest of corn was all but dead .
But the Pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer .
By the end of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rain saved the corn , which miraculously sprang to life .
The harvesting of that corn was part of what they celebrated in the first Thanksgiving .
A couple of paintings in the Capitol rotunda have George Washington as the central character .
Although modern scholars like to discount the notion of Washington as a man of prayer , there were many contemporary witnesses who said otherwise .
In our book , `` George Washington 's Sacred Fire , '' Dr. Peter Lillback and I document that Washington was a dedicated Christian who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time in prayer .
Washington often said that as a nation we should be grateful for God 's repeated help .
He once said , in reference to God 's help during the War for Independence , `` The hand of Providence has been conspicuous in all this , that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith , and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations . ''
( Letter to Thomas Nelson , Aug. 20 , 1778 ) Susie Federer has written two books @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Miracles '' and `` Miracles II , '' based on the research of her husband , Bill .
He is a bestselling author and speaker .
Bill Federer describes a time – not unlike today – when there was a plague of sorts ravaging the land in the mid-19th century .
President Zachary Taylor declared a National Day of Fasting and Prayer , July 3 , 1849 , during a cholera epidemic : `` A fearful pestilence which is spreading itself throughout the land … it is fitting that a people whose reliance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ humble themselves before His throne … acknowledging past transgressions , ask a continuance of the Divine mercy .
It is earnestly recommended that the first Friday in August be observed throughout the United States as a Day of Fasting , Humiliation and Prayer . ''
The Federers note that soon after that day of prayer , the cholera epidemic in America tapered off .
Many of our presidents throughout our history have called on God and have called on Americans to set aside a time ( usually a day ) of prayer .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ wake of the Pearl Harbor attack , called for Jan. 2 , 1942 , to be , `` a Day of Prayer , of asking forgiveness for our shortcomings of the past , of consecration to the tasks of the present , of asking God 's help in days to come . ''
President Truman even systematized the day of prayer as an annual event .
Thus , the first Thursday of each May is the National Day of Prayer .
Truman declared in his proclamation ( June 17 , 1952 ) : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history our people have been accustomed to turn to Almighty God for help and guidance . ''
If ever America needed God 's help and guidance , this would seem to be that time – as the coronavirus crisis devastates the land .
We need to pray and repent and seek His face .
May He provide a vaccine soon , and may He heal our land .

As of this writing, the number of reported deaths in America from the coronavirus is almost 70,000, and 30 million have abruptly lost work.
Scan the headlines these days, and the bad news because of the coronavirus seems to get worse and worse:
April's unemployment is described by the Wall Street Journal as "the largest one-month blow to the U.S. labor market on record" (May 3). The worst job loss ever.
"Universities across the country are being hit with lawsuits by students who aren't satisfied with the refunds they're being provided after being told to leave campus" (Campusreform.com, April 27).
As one of six workers are suddenly out of a job, hunger is a growing problem. The AP reports, "Before the pandemic, food policy experts say, roughly one out of every eight or nine Americans struggled to stay fed. Now as many as one out of every four are projected to join the ranks of the hungry" (May 4).
Amidst all the bad news, is there any hope? Does America still have a prayer?
Yes. Thursday, May 7, 2020, is the National Day of Prayer. And, boy, do we need it.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
America, it could be said, was born in prayer. We can even see an example in the rotunda of the U.S. Capitol, where there are eight large paintings dedicated to aspects of our history.
One of them shows the Pilgrims having a prayer meeting with a large open Geneva Bible. The Pilgrims experienced one setback after another. But they also experienced answers to prayer.
For example, when they were finally settled in the New World in 1621, after a disastrous winter where half their number died, they planted their crops. But then they experienced a great drought.
The parched conditions threatened their first crop of corn, and it looked like the year's harvest of corn was all but dead. But the Pilgrims called for a day of fasting and prayer. By the end of the day, it was raining.
The rain saved the corn, which miraculously sprang to life. The harvesting of that corn was part of what they celebrated in the first Thanksgiving.
A couple of paintings in the Capitol rotunda have George Washington as the central character. Although modern scholars like to discount the notion of Washington as a man of prayer, there were many contemporary witnesses who said otherwise. In our book, "George Washington's Sacred Fire," Dr. Peter Lillback and I document that Washington was a dedicated Christian who read the Bible regularly and spent much time in prayer.
Washington often said that as a nation we should be grateful for God's repeated help. He once said, in reference to God's help during the War for Independence, "The hand of Providence has been conspicuous in all this, that he must be worse than an infidel that lacks faith, and more than wicked that has not gratitude enough to acknowledge his obligations." (Letter to Thomas Nelson, Aug. 20, 1778)
Susie Federer has written two books on miracles in American history, "Miracles" and "Miracles II," based on the research of her husband, Bill. He is a bestselling author and speaker.
Bill Federer describes a time – not unlike today – when there was a plague of sorts ravaging the land in the mid-19th century. President Zachary Taylor declared a National Day of Fasting and Prayer, July 3, 1849, during a cholera epidemic: "A fearful pestilence which is spreading itself throughout the land … it is fitting that a people whose reliance has ever been in His protection should humble themselves before His throne … acknowledging past transgressions, ask a continuance of the Divine mercy. It is earnestly recommended that the first Friday in August be observed throughout the United States as a Day of Fasting, Humiliation and Prayer."
The Federers note that soon after that day of prayer, the cholera epidemic in America tapered off.
Many of our presidents throughout our history have called on God and have called on Americans to set aside a time (usually a day) of prayer. For example, FDR, in the wake of the Pearl Harbor attack, called for Jan. 2, 1942, to be, "a Day of Prayer, of asking forgiveness for our shortcomings of the past, of consecration to the tasks of the present, of asking God's help in days to come."
President Truman even systematized the day of prayer as an annual event. Thus, the first Thursday of each May is the National Day of Prayer. Truman declared in his proclamation (June 17, 1952): "From the earliest days of our history our people have been accustomed to turn to Almighty God for help and guidance."
If ever America needed God's help and guidance, this would seem to be that time – as the coronavirus crisis devastates the land. We need to pray and repent and seek His face. May He provide a vaccine soon, and may He heal our land.


wnd--2020-05-05--Tony Fauci and the Trojan horse of tyranny

It is time to seriously question everything we are told regarding the physical and the cultural virus .
Dr. Anthony Fauci , in his role as longtime federal immunology bureaucrat , paid $ 3.7 million to the Wuhan laboratory for coronavirus development after the U.S. declared a moratorium on such funding .
Fauci is joined at the hip with Bill Gates , paid for the scam VA study at the University of Virginia and has been on the payroll of the Clinton Foundation for years .
He is responsible for the death of thousands of Americans by leading the opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ least a 91 % effective in curing SARS-CoV2 infections – thereby violating his Oath – `` First do no harm '' – and his responsibility to America and Americans .
Now he gleefully flaunts the success of Remdesivir , which was initially developed in 2016 to fight against Ebola and made by Gilead Biosciences as the `` cure '' for COVID-19 .
Bear in mind that Dr. Fauci reportedly has close ties to , through the Clinton Foundation , the director-general of the World Health Organisation ( WHO ) , Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Jinping wants him to promote .
And who holds the patent on Remdesivir ?
– China .
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern A convoluted issue indeed , with Gilead stating it patented Remdesivir in China and the Wuhan Institute of Virology filing a patent application on Jan. 4 , 2020 .
It appears that to the becoming-infamous Dr. Fauci , truth and reality are only a reflection of his desires at any given moment , and that is subject to change in the next moment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ week , in 2005 , he knew that hydroxychloroquine was `` effective against viruses genetically related to COVID-19 . ''
However , when it became troublesome to his financial and social Trojan horse , he contradicted President Trump and global experience and experts during a Task Force briefing on March 20 , 2020 , saying , `` You got to be careful saying 'fairly effective . '
… '' – effectively saying , a la Obi Wan , `` America , these are not the drugs you 're looking for – move along @ @ @ @ @ @ @ journalism , two terms not used together often , by Tucker Carlson in March , the Fox host destroyed any doubt that the Wuhan coronavirus came from the Wuhan Virology Lab .
Subsequently , Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have confirmed there is abundant credible evidence that , in point of fact , the leak from the Wuhan Lab was the start of a global pandemic .
These truths do not seem to meld with Dr. Fauci 's desired reality , and he firmly stated , there is `` no evidence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lab .
Although it is possible that infected horseshoe bats were brought into the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the virus escaped during guiltless experiments , this was not mentioned .
Instead , Fauci answered the unasked question , emphatically stating that the scientific evidence is `` very , very strongly leaning toward this could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated . ''
Does the gentleman protest too much ?
And just who , or what is Gilead Biosciences ?
Gilead is partnered with Wuxi Pharmaceuticals , an international pharmaceutical , biopharmaceutical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wikipedia , `` The company covers the development cycle through five core operations , including small molecule R & D and manufacturing , biologics R & D and manufacturing , cell therapy and gene therapy R & D and manufacturing , medical device testing , and molecular testing and genomics . ''
And where , you may ask , is the company located ?
Wuxi Pharm was begun in Shanghai by Dr. Gi Li now with facilities also in Wuxi City and Suzhou , China , as well as facilities in St. Paul @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuxi Pharmaceuticals is owned by none other than America 's own – George Soros .
The web becomes even more entangled as a reported owner of Gilead Bioscience is also … George Soros .
Holding this web together is the fact that Gilead has endorsed and is engaged with a drug purchasing group , UNITAID .
UNITAID is an outgrowth of the United Nations , Millennium Declaration of 2000 , which is now the U.N .
Global Compact .
The large investors in UNITAID include WHO , George Soros , the Bill and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the Clinton Health Access Initiative .
Both Drs .
Fauci and Birx are associated with the Clinton Health Access Initiative .
When , you may ask , will Remdesivir go into production ?
On Feb. 12 , 2020 – that is correct , Feb. 12 – 10 days after Trump initiated the China travel ban , Bloomberg reported : '' A Chinese drugmaker said it has started mass-producing an experimental drug from Gilead Sciences that has the potential to fight the novel coronavirus , as China accelerates its effort to find a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Suzhou [ China ] -based BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology said in a statement filed to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Tuesday night that it has developed the technology to synthesize the active pharmaceutical ingredients of Remdesivir , Gilead 's drug that is a leading candidate to treat the highly infectious virus that 's killed more than 1,000 people .
The drug is n't licensed or approved anywhere in the world yet .
… '' Of interest , HHS has already won a lawsuit against Gilead .
`` For nearly a decade , Gilead 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of thousands of Americans from accessing this technology , despite it being a taxpayer-funded invention , '' noted a statement by the PrEP4All Collaboration .
`` If HHS is truly invested in ending the HIV epidemic , it will use these patents as leverage to ensure that everyone who needs PrEP can get it . ''
Can there be any uncertainty as to why Dr. Fauci , who worked closely with Gilead , is strongly promoting its more expensive and less effective medication , which has already failed against Ebola , over a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a 91 % success rate ?
Has America reached the point where what once was unthinkable became the unspeakable , and is now becoming the undeniable ?
Consider the anti-liberty players : Anthony Fauci ; George Soros ; WHO and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus ; Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party ; The Clinton Foundation ; the FDA , which has tried to limit hydroxychloroquine to hospital use where the window of maximum effect has passed , and now approves the unproven and expensive Remdesivir ; CDC , which requires fraudulent death certificates @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dispensed test kits tainted with SARS-CoV2 and supports contact tracing as `` KEY STRATEGY '' ; Bill and Melinda Gates ; the media ; the Democratic Party and its politicians ; and countless numbers of influentials flying under the radar .
Is there any reason to believe anything these domestic enemies say or offer ?
Is there any reason America , the last great hope for humanity , should fall to a virus with a 99.6 % survival rate , even if it 's being manipulated by a well-orchestrated and executed malevolent plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will only fall if Americans continue to nurture their fear and refuse to stand against this stealthy malignancy eating away at the very core of freedom and liberty .
Is there any reason to believe that the SARS-CoV2 virus is not America 's Trojan horse , or should we say Trojan virus ?
A Trojan horse that provides the tools for the left to weaponize the invisible enemy and empower it far beyond its inherent physical capabilities .
America 's Trojan horse provided the blueprint to America 's anti-freedom left to brilliantly engineer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and society .
A crusade of lies , blame , deceit , deception and false accusations all designed to spread division , fear and panic – like a virus – from coast to coast throughout our republic .
All to accelerate America 's rush to national suicide by the tyranny of socialism .
Remember , Americans do n't give up ; they stand up !
Veterans in Defense of Liberty® is calling on all Americans to contact their elected officials , at the federal , state and local level , and advise them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ALL INFORMATION from our federal government about the current pandemic worthless and false until the following six questions are entirely and plainly answered : 1 .
Hydroxychloroquine is cheap , safe , plentiful and at least 91 % successful in curing COVID-19 when taken early in the disease process .
Why is the federal government discouraging its use , thereby directly contributing to the avoidable deaths of tens of thousands of Americans ?
2 .
Why did the FDA direct doctors to prescribe hydroxychloroquine only for hospitalized patients , by which time the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the probability of death by delay ?
3 .
Why has Dr. Fauci not been removed from the Coronavirus Task Force for conflict of interest since he and his pharmaceutical partners stand to make huge profits from any expensive COVID-19 vaccine developed later , while they earn nothing from cheap hydroxychloroquine cure available right now ?
4 .
How was Dr. Fauci allowed to direct $ 3.7 million of American taxpayer money to conduct illegal virus research at the Chinese government 's bioweapons laboratory in Wuhan , from which this virus may have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world , and now , with Dr. Fauci 's full involvement , we will try to sell us the cure for the disease it caused .
How is this not rewarding criminal behavior ?
6 .
Since sound science and accurate data are essential for combating any pandemic , why have Dr. Birx and the federal government ( CDC ) directed doctors to classify the cause of death on the death certificate to grossly inflate the COVID-19 death rate even if they only `` assume '' COVID-19 ; while other primary causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NOW and proclaim to the world that America is open for business , that America is back , then , as President Lincoln proclaimed in his Annual Address to the U.S. Congress , Dec. 1 , 1862 , `` The way is plain , peaceful , generous , just – a way which , if followed , the world will forever applaud , and God must forever bless . ''
`` Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must , like men , undergo the fatigue of supporting it . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ M.D.
, is the executive director of Veterans in Defense of Liberty ( ViDoL ) .
He served with the United States Marine Corp. 1965-1971 , with the United States Army Medical Corps 1981-1988 , and with the Denver Police Dept .
1970-1976 .
He obtained his bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Denver , Masters of Health Care Administration Trinity University in San Antonio , and medical degree from The University of Health Sciences in Kansas City .
Dr. Magill matriculated his residency in Ob/Gyn at Tripler Army Medical Center @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chief of Ob/Gyn at Irwin Army Hospital Ft. Riley Kansas .
He was until recently a practicing obstetrician & Gynecologist in Springfield , Missouri , for 21 years .

By W. Scott Magill, M.D.
It is time to seriously question everything we are told regarding the physical and the cultural virus.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, in his role as longtime federal immunology bureaucrat, paid $3.7 million to the Wuhan laboratory for coronavirus development after the U.S. declared a moratorium on such funding. Fauci is joined at the hip with Bill Gates, paid for the scam VA study at the University of Virginia and has been on the payroll of the Clinton Foundation for years.
He is responsible for the death of thousands of Americans by leading the opposition to a drug regimen that is at least a 91% effective in curing SARS-CoV2 infections – thereby violating his Oath – "First do no harm" – and his responsibility to America and Americans.
Now he gleefully flaunts the success of Remdesivir, which was initially developed in 2016 to fight against Ebola and made by Gilead Sciences as the "cure" for COVID-19. Bear in mind that Dr. Fauci reportedly has close ties to, through the Clinton Foundation, the director-general of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who appears to promote whatever Xi Jinping wants him to promote. And who holds the patent on Remdesivir? – China.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
A convoluted issue indeed, with Gilead stating it patented Remdesivir in China and the Wuhan Institute of Virology filing a patent application on Jan. 4, 2020.
It appears that to the becoming-infamous Dr. Fauci, truth and reality are only a reflection of his desires at any given moment, and that is subject to change in the next moment. As reported by One American News this week, in 2005, he knew that hydroxychloroquine was "effective against viruses genetically related to COVID-19." However, when it became troublesome to his financial and social Trojan horse, he contradicted President Trump and global experience and experts during a Task Force briefing on March 20, 2020, saying, "You got to be careful saying 'fairly effective.' …" – effectively saying, a la Obi Wan, "America, these are not the drugs you're looking for – move along."
With a brilliant piece of journalism, two terms not used together often, by Tucker Carlson in March, the Fox host destroyed any doubt that the Wuhan coronavirus came from the Wuhan Virology Lab. Subsequently, Trump and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo have confirmed there is abundant credible evidence that, in point of fact, the leak from the Wuhan Lab was the start of a global pandemic. These truths do not seem to meld with Dr. Fauci's desired reality, and he firmly stated, there is "no evidence" that SARS-CoV2 escaped from a Chinese lab. Although it is possible that infected horseshoe bats were brought into the Wuhan Institute of Virology and the virus escaped during guiltless experiments, this was not mentioned. Instead, Fauci answered the unasked question, emphatically stating that the scientific evidence is "very, very strongly leaning toward this could not have been artificially or deliberately manipulated." Does the gentleman protest too much?
And just who, or what is Gilead Sciences? Gilead is partnered with Wuxi AppTec, an international pharmaceutical, biopharmaceutical and medical device company. According to Wikipedia, "The company covers the development cycle through five core operations, including small molecule R&D and manufacturing, biologics R&D and manufacturing, cell therapy and gene therapy R&D and manufacturing, medical device testing, and molecular testing and genomics." And where, you may ask, is the company located? Wuxi AppTec was begun in Shanghai by Dr. Gi Li now with facilities also in Wuxi City and Suzhou, China, as well as facilities in St. Paul, Minnesota, Philadelphia and Atlanta. Wuxi AppTec is owned in part by none other than America's own – George Soros.
The web becomes even more entangled as a reported investor in Gilead Sciences also is … George Soros.
Holding this web together is the fact that Gilead has endorsed and is engaged with a drug purchasing group, UNITAID. UNITAID is an outgrowth of the United Nations, Millennium Declaration of 2000, which is now the U.N. Global Compact.
The large investors in UNITAID include WHO, George Soros, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and a partnership relationship with the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Both Drs. Fauci and Birx are associated with the Clinton Health Access Initiative.
When, you may ask, will Remdesivir go into production? On Feb. 12, 2020 – that is correct, Feb. 12 – 10 days after Trump initiated the China travel ban, Bloomberg reported:
"A Chinese drugmaker said it has started mass-producing an experimental drug from Gilead Sciences that has the potential to fight the novel coronavirus, as China accelerates its effort to find a treatment for the widening outbreak.
"Suzhou [China]-based BrightGene Bio-Medical Technology said in a statement filed to the Shanghai Stock Exchange on Tuesday night that it has developed the technology to synthesize the active pharmaceutical ingredients of Remdesivir, Gilead's drug that is a leading candidate to treat the highly infectious virus that's killed more than 1,000 people. The drug isn't licensed or approved anywhere in the world yet. …"
Of interest, HHS has already won a lawsuit against Gilead. "For nearly a decade, Gilead's price gouging on PrEP has prevented hundreds of thousands of Americans from accessing this technology, despite it being a taxpayer-funded invention," noted a statement by the PrEP4All Collaboration. "If HHS is truly invested in ending the HIV epidemic, it will use these patents as leverage to ensure that everyone who needs PrEP can get it."
Can there be any uncertainty as to why Dr. Fauci, who worked closely with Gilead, is strongly promoting its more expensive and less effective medication, which has already failed against Ebola, over a readily available, markedly affordable medication with a 91% success rate?
Has America reached the point where what once was unthinkable became the unspeakable, and is now becoming the undeniable?
Consider the anti-liberty players: Anthony Fauci; George Soros; WHO and Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus; Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party; The Clinton Foundation; the FDA, which has tried to limit hydroxychloroquine to hospital use where the window of maximum effect has passed, and now approves the unproven and expensive Remdesivir; CDC, which requires fraudulent death certificates to bolster the COVID-19 death rate, dispensed test kits tainted with SARS-CoV2 and supports contact tracing as "KEY STRATEGY"; Bill and Melinda Gates; the media; the Democratic Party and its politicians; and countless numbers of influentials flying under the radar. Is there any reason to believe anything these domestic enemies say or offer?
Is there any reason America, the last great hope for humanity, should fall to a virus with a 99.6% survival rate, even if it's being manipulated by a well-orchestrated and executed malevolent plan by those with nefarious intentions? America will only fall if Americans continue to nurture their fear and refuse to stand against this stealthy malignancy eating away at the very core of freedom and liberty.
Is there any reason to believe that the SARS-CoV2 virus is not America's Trojan horse, or should we say Trojan virus? A Trojan horse that provides the tools for the left to weaponize the invisible enemy and empower it far beyond its inherent physical capabilities. America's Trojan horse provided the blueprint to America's anti-freedom left to brilliantly engineer a coordinated campaign against the American culture and society. A crusade of lies, blame, deceit, deception and false accusations all designed to spread division, fear and panic – like a virus – from coast to coast throughout our republic. All to accelerate America's rush to national suicide by the tyranny of socialism.
Remember, Americans don't give up; they stand up! Veterans in Defense of Liberty® is calling on all Americans to contact their elected officials, at the federal, state and local level, and advise them that we counsel every American to consider ALL INFORMATION from our federal government about the current pandemic worthless and false until the following six questions are entirely and plainly answered:
1. Hydroxychloroquine is cheap, safe, plentiful and at least 91% successful in curing COVID-19 when taken early in the disease process. Why is the federal government discouraging its use, thereby directly contributing to the avoidable deaths of tens of thousands of Americans?
2. Why did the FDA direct doctors to prescribe hydroxychloroquine only for hospitalized patients, by which time the drug's effectiveness is reduced, increasing the probability of death by delay?
3. Why has Dr. Fauci not been removed from the Coronavirus Task Force for conflict of interest since he and his pharmaceutical partners stand to make huge profits from any expensive COVID-19 vaccine developed later, while they earn nothing from cheap hydroxychloroquine cure available right now?
4. How was Dr. Fauci allowed to direct $3.7 million of American taxpayer money to conduct illegal virus research at the Chinese government's bioweapons laboratory in Wuhan, from which this virus may have escaped?
5. Communist China sickened the world, and now, with Dr. Fauci's full involvement, he will try to sell us the cure for the disease it caused. How is this not rewarding criminal behavior?
6. Since sound science and accurate data are essential for combating any pandemic, why have Dr. Birx and the federal government (CDC) directed doctors to classify the cause of death on the death certificate to grossly inflate the COVID-19 death rate even if they only "assume" COVID-19; while other primary causes of death exist?
If Americans stand NOW and proclaim to the world that America is open for business, that America is back, then, as President Lincoln proclaimed in his Annual Address to the U.S. Congress, Dec. 1, 1862, "The way is plain, peaceful, generous, just – a way which, if followed, the world will forever applaud, and God must forever bless."
"Those who expect to reap the blessings of freedom must, like men, undergo the fatigue of supporting it." – Thomas Paine
Editor's note: Corrections were made to the names of two companies mentioned in this column -- May 6, 2020.
William Scott Magill, M.D., is the executive director of Veterans in Defense of Liberty (ViDoL). He served with the United States Marine Corp. 1965-1971, with the United States Army Medical Corps 1981-1988, and with the Denver Police Dept. 1970-1976. He obtained his bachelors of Business Administration from the University of Denver, Masters of Health Care Administration Trinity University in San Antonio, and medical degree from The University of Health Sciences in Kansas City. Dr. Magill matriculated his residency in Ob/Gyn at Tripler Army Medical Center in Honolulu, and served as the Chief of Ob/Gyn at Irwin Army Hospital Ft. Riley Kansas. He was until recently a practicing obstetrician & Gynecologist in Springfield, Missouri, for 21 years.


wnd--2020-05-05--Personal retirement accounts will help in next crisis

Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law the CARES Act to provide emergency measures to help us get through the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 shutdown .
A crucial objective was to provide funds to the many individuals who suddenly found themselves cash-strapped and unable to pay bills because , through no fault of their own , they were out of work .
Two major provisions are $ 1,200 cash payments for individuals , and relaxing rules to allow withdrawal from or loans against IRAs , 401 ( k ) s and other defined benefit retirement plans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash payments received most of the attention .
But the provisions for getting cash from retirement plans were a highly desirable addition .
Ideally , it 's best to be able to manage through a crisis with your own resources rather than government money .
If there is anything foreseen , it is that the unforeseen will always be part of our lives .
We all should manage our personal affairs with this in mind .
Living day to day , week to week , paycheck to paycheck is not how anyone should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You might say : `` I 'm working two jobs .
I spend practically nothing on entertainment , and I still barely make it to the end of the month . ''
And here is where the right government policy can help you be freer to manage your own life .
I 've been writing for years that Americans should be allowed to invest their payroll tax in their own personal retirement account .
The payroll tax is what 's used now to finance Social Security .
Many still think that Social Security @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
No , it 's just another government tax-and-spend program .
Every year , retirees get Social Security payments .
The funds come from the payroll tax that practically every working American pays .
It seemed like such a good idea when then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law in 1935 .
Every working American would pay a small tax , and those funds would immediately go out and provide retirement income to retirees .
But back then , there were more than 40 Americans working for every retiree .
Today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are getting married .
Fewer are having children .
And the miracles of modern medicine give us a much longer life .
So instead of 40 working for every retiree , today there are around three .
According to the annual report issued by the Trustees of the Social Security Administration , in 2035 , just 15 years from now , Social Security will only have funds to cover 76 % of the benefits promised to retirees .
Either taxes must be raised , or benefits must be cut .
Who wants either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ deal even worse .
According to a study commissioned by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity , the average annual return of Social Security over the last 40 years was about 1 % .
Over the same period , the stock market returned more than 6 % annually .
According to the Federal Reserve , only 43.6 % of working households earning $ 40,000 or less annually say they have any retirement savings .
This means the only retirement provision the rest have is the payroll tax being taken out of their paycheck designated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are now telling those who are 52 years old or younger and expect to retire at 67 that they can expect just 76 % of their benefits .
Now that President Trump is talking about the payroll tax as a policy tool to deal with this crisis , we should act .
Let 's allow working Americans , or at least those earning $ 40,000 or less , to divert their payroll tax into their own retirement account .
They will get independence and have far more wealth when they retire .
And @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , when there is another crisis , they wo n't have to pray that the government will send them money .
They will have their own savings , which they can tap into to get themselves through the crisis .

Congress passed and President Donald Trump signed into law the CARES Act to provide emergency measures to help us get through the economic crisis caused by the COVID-19 shutdown.
A crucial objective was to provide funds to the many individuals who suddenly found themselves cash-strapped and unable to pay bills because, through no fault of their own, they were out of work.
Two major provisions are $1,200 cash payments for individuals, and relaxing rules to allow withdrawal from or loans against IRAs, 401(k)s and other defined benefit retirement plans without penalties or tax consequences.
The cash payments received most of the attention. But the provisions for getting cash from retirement plans were a highly desirable addition. Ideally, it's best to be able to manage through a crisis with your own resources rather than government money.
If there is anything foreseen, it is that the unforeseen will always be part of our lives. We all should manage our personal affairs with this in mind. Living day to day, week to week, paycheck to paycheck is not how anyone should be managing his or her life.
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
You might say: "I'm working two jobs. I spend practically nothing on entertainment, and I still barely make it to the end of the month."
And here is where the right government policy can help you be freer to manage your own life.
I've been writing for years that Americans should be allowed to invest their payroll tax in their own personal retirement account. The payroll tax is what's used now to finance Social Security.
Many still think that Social Security is some kind of retirement investment plan. No, it's just another government tax-and-spend program.
Every year, retirees get Social Security payments. The funds come from the payroll tax that practically every working American pays.
It seemed like such a good idea when then-President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed it into law in 1935. Every working American would pay a small tax, and those funds would immediately go out and provide retirement income to retirees.
But back then, there were more than 40 Americans working for every retiree.
Today, our world is much different. Fewer are getting married. Fewer are having children. And the miracles of modern medicine give us a much longer life.
So instead of 40 working for every retiree, today there are around three.
According to the annual report issued by the Trustees of the Social Security Administration, in 2035, just 15 years from now, Social Security will only have funds to cover 76% of the benefits promised to retirees.
Either taxes must be raised, or benefits must be cut. Who wants either?
Doing so would make a bad deal even worse. According to a study commissioned by the Committee to Unleash Prosperity, the average annual return of Social Security over the last 40 years was about 1%. Over the same period, the stock market returned more than 6% annually.
According to the Federal Reserve, only 43.6% of working households earning $40,000 or less annually say they have any retirement savings. This means the only retirement provision the rest have is the payroll tax being taken out of their paycheck designated for Social Security.
Social Security Trustees are now telling those who are 52 years old or younger and expect to retire at 67 that they can expect just 76% of their benefits.
Now that President Trump is talking about the payroll tax as a policy tool to deal with this crisis, we should act.
Let's allow working Americans, or at least those earning $40,000 or less, to divert their payroll tax into their own retirement account.
They will get independence and have far more wealth when they retire.
And when the unforeseen is upon us again, when there is another crisis, they won't have to pray that the government will send them money. They will have their own savings, which they can tap into to get themselves through the crisis.


wnd--2020-05-05--Israeli scientists' 'controlled avalanche' coronavirus strategy

As Americans debate how to reopen our society in the wake of COVID-19 , we seem to be breaking down into three groups : first , those who believe the virus is n't particularly serious and desperately want to reopen everything as soon as possible ( a small minority of Americans , by polling data ) ; second , those who believe the virus is extraordinarily serious and want everything to remain closed as long as possible ( a significant minority of Americans ) ; and third , those who believe the virus is extraordinarily serious , that the economic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ serious and that we will have to reopen in considered fashion ( the vast majority of Americans ) .
While politicians on either side of the debate hope to position their opponents as advocates of either group 1 or group 2 , the reality is that the honest debate is happening within group 3 .
So , what does a considered coronavirus reopening strategy look like ?
That question rests on a deeper question : What assumptions are we making ?
Obviously , we all want to reduce deaths to the lowest possible @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into our policy recommendations ?
Are we assuming a vaccine will come along in three , six , 12 or 18 months ?
Are we assuming herd immunity conferred at 60 % of the population , or 80 % ?
Are we assuming therapeutic measures that would reduce the infection fatality rates by 20 , 30 or 100 % , and within what period of time ?
We also want to reduce economic harm to the lowest possible level .
Again , we must ask what assumptions are baked into our policy recommendations @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % reduction in restaurant seating will save 50 % of restaurants ?
Are we assuming that shoppers will continue to socially distance six months from now ?
Are we assuming that the government will be able to shoulder trillions more in debt despite an underlying decrease in international appetite for such debt ?
TRENDING : Trump wants investigation of network anchor over death of intern The question of assumptions is key to our policymaking .
That 's because if we assume the worst – no therapeutics that seriously knock down the infection fatality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or more and an economy that simply can not function at one-quarter or even half of normal capacity – then we are forced to a simple conclusion : In the absence of any significant change to the status quo , we must pursue a strategy of so-called controlled avalanche .
That strategy has been coined by Israeli scientists , who suggest that the best strategy for reducing deaths while achieving herd immunity would be to tranche populations and then expose the least-vulnerable populations to COVID-19 in order to let them develop antibodies – @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same function ski resorts perform when they create small avalanches in order to avoid a major avalanche .
The simple fact is that 40 % to 50 % , at low estimate , of all deaths in the European Union from COVID-19 have occurred at nursing homes ; the same is true in California .
Had the authorities properly protected nursing homes , the infection fatality rate across the industrialized world could be half of the current rate .
It is also true that the infection fatality rate for COVID-19 ranges widely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , of the 37,308 deaths recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention , just 1,036 were people under the age of 45 , and just 51 were below the age of 25 .
Even among younger populations , the vast majority of deaths were people with underlying conditions .
Israeli scientists suggest that protecting the elderly and the vulnerable and then allowing herd immunity to develop among the least vulnerable would radically reduce overall mortality ( by over 40 % ) , reduce the maximum number of people in need for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and decrease the time required to allow freedom to low-risk populations by months .
This is obviously not a foolproof strategy – there is no foolproof strategy .
But it may be a better strategy than simply hoping for the best while watching the world economy implode , even as we know that our deepest hopes for a deus ex machina may go unrewarded .

As Americans debate how to reopen our society in the wake of COVID-19, we seem to be breaking down into three groups: first, those who believe the virus isn't particularly serious and desperately want to reopen everything as soon as possible (a small minority of Americans, by polling data); second, those who believe the virus is extraordinarily serious and want everything to remain closed as long as possible (a significant minority of Americans); and third, those who believe the virus is extraordinarily serious, that the economic damage brought about by COVID-19 is extraordinarily serious and that we will have to reopen in considered fashion (the vast majority of Americans). While politicians on either side of the debate hope to position their opponents as advocates of either group 1 or group 2, the reality is that the honest debate is happening within group 3.
So, what does a considered coronavirus reopening strategy look like?
That question rests on a deeper question: What assumptions are we making?
Obviously, we all want to reduce deaths to the lowest possible number. But what assumptions are baked into our policy recommendations? Are we assuming a vaccine will come along in three, six, 12 or 18 months? Are we assuming herd immunity conferred at 60% of the population, or 80%? Are we assuming therapeutic measures that would reduce the infection fatality rates by 20, 30 or 100%, and within what period of time?
We also want to reduce economic harm to the lowest possible level. Again, we must ask what assumptions are baked into our policy recommendations. Are we assuming that a 75% reduction in restaurant seating will save 50% of restaurants? Are we assuming that shoppers will continue to socially distance six months from now? Are we assuming that the government will be able to shoulder trillions more in debt despite an underlying decrease in international appetite for such debt?
TRENDING: Is this the 'Final Battle'?
The question of assumptions is key to our policymaking. That's because if we assume the worst – no therapeutics that seriously knock down the infection fatality rate, no vaccines for 18 months or more and an economy that simply cannot function at one-quarter or even half of normal capacity – then we are forced to a simple conclusion: In the absence of any significant change to the status quo, we must pursue a strategy of so-called controlled avalanche.
That strategy has been coined by Israeli scientists, who suggest that the best strategy for reducing deaths while achieving herd immunity would be to tranche populations and then expose the least-vulnerable populations to COVID-19 in order to let them develop antibodies – in essence, performing with public health the same function ski resorts perform when they create small avalanches in order to avoid a major avalanche. The simple fact is that 40% to 50%, at low estimate, of all deaths in the European Union from COVID-19 have occurred at nursing homes; the same is true in California. Had the authorities properly protected nursing homes, the infection fatality rate across the industrialized world could be half of the current rate.
It is also true that the infection fatality rate for COVID-19 ranges widely by age: As of late April, of the 37,308 deaths recorded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, just 1,036 were people under the age of 45, and just 51 were below the age of 25. Even among younger populations, the vast majority of deaths were people with underlying conditions. Israeli scientists suggest that protecting the elderly and the vulnerable and then allowing herd immunity to develop among the least vulnerable would radically reduce overall mortality (by over 40%), reduce the maximum number of people in need for ICUs (by over 60%) and decrease the time required to allow freedom to low-risk populations by months.
This is obviously not a foolproof strategy – there is no foolproof strategy. But it may be a better strategy than simply hoping for the best while watching the world economy implode, even as we know that our deepest hopes for a deus ex machina may go unrewarded.