australiannationalreview--2020-05-26--Listening to the Coronavirus ‘Experts’ Has Led to Death and Despair

On April 21st the Washington Post savaged Georgia governor Brian Kemp ’ s decision to begin opening his state after locking down for weeks .
“ Georgia leads the race to become America ’ s No .
1 Death Destination , ” sneered the headline .
The author , liberal pundit Dana Milbank , actually found the possibility of Georgians dying to be hilarious , suggesting that , “ as a promotion , Georgia could offer ventilators to the first 100 hotel guests to register.
” Milbank , who is obviously still getting paid while millions are out of work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream narrative that we must remain in fear and never question what “ experts ” like Dr. Fauci tell us .
Well it ’ s been three weeks since Milbank ’ s attack on Georgia and its governor , predicting widespread death which he found humorous .
His predictions are about as worthless as his character .
Not only has Georgia not seen “ coronavirus…burn through Georgia like nothing has since William Tecumseh Sherman , ” as Milbank laughed , but Covid cases , hospitalizations , and deaths have seen a steep decline @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Maybe getting out in the fresh air and sunshine should not have been prohibited in the first place !
In fact , as we now have much more data , it is becoming increasingly clear that the US states and the countries that locked down the tightest also suffered the highest death rates .
Ultra locked-down Italy suffered 495 Covid deaths per million while relatively non-locked down South Korea suffered only five deaths per million .
The same is true in the US , where non lockdown states like South Dakota were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Michigan , New York , and California have been hardest hit .
In those hardest hit states , we are now seeing that most of the deaths occurred in senior care facilities – after the governors ordered patients sick with Covid to leave the hospitals and return to their facilities .
There , they infected their fellow residents who were most likely to have the multiple co-morbidities and advanced age that turned the virus into a death sentence .
Will these governors be made to answer for this callous disregard for life ?
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alex Azar admitted the obvious : “ We are seeing that in places that are opening , we ’ re not seeing this spike in cases.
” So why not open everything ?
Because these petty tyrants can not stand the idea of losing the ability to push people around .
Shutting down the entire United States over a virus that looks to be less deadly than an average flu virus – particularly among those under 80 who are not already sick – has resulted in mass unemployment and economic destruction .
More @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to fight the virus than from the virus itself .
Americans should pause and reflect on the lies they are being sold .
Masks are just a form of psychological manipulation .
Many reputable physicians and scientists have said they are worthless and potentially harmful .
Lockdowns are meant to condition people to obey without question .
A nation of people who just do what they are told by the “ experts ” without question is a nation ripe for a descent into total tyranny .
This is no empty warning – it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Time to stand up to all the petty tyrants from our hometowns to Washington DC .
It is time to reclaim our freedom .

By Ron Paul
On April 21st the Washington Post savaged Georgia governor Brian Kemp’s decision to begin opening his state after locking down for weeks. “Georgia leads the race to become America’s No. 1 Death Destination,” sneered the headline.
The author, liberal pundit Dana Milbank, actually found the possibility of Georgians dying to be hilarious, suggesting that, “as a promotion, Georgia could offer ventilators to the first 100 hotel guests to register.”
Milbank, who is obviously still getting paid while millions are out of work, sees his job as pushing the mainstream narrative that we must remain in fear and never question what “experts” like Dr. Fauci tell us.
Well it’s been three weeks since Milbank’s attack on Georgia and its governor, predicting widespread death which he found humorous. His predictions are about as worthless as his character. Not only has Georgia not seen “coronavirus…burn through Georgia like nothing has since William Tecumseh Sherman,” as Milbank laughed, but Covid cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have seen a steep decline since the governor began opening the state.
Maybe getting out in the fresh air and sunshine should not have been prohibited in the first place!
In fact, as we now have much more data, it is becoming increasingly clear that the US states and the countries that locked down the tightest also suffered the highest death rates. Ultra locked-down Italy suffered 495 Covid deaths per million while relatively non-locked down South Korea suffered only five deaths per million. The same is true in the US, where non lockdown states like South Dakota were relatively untouched by the virus while authoritarian-led Michigan, New York, and California have been hardest hit.
In those hardest hit states, we are now seeing that most of the deaths occurred in senior care facilities – after the governors ordered patients sick with Covid to leave the hospitals and return to their facilities. There, they infected their fellow residents who were most likely to have the multiple co-morbidities and advanced age that turned the virus into a death sentence. Will these governors be made to answer for this callous disregard for life?
Yesterday, Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar admitted the obvious: “We are seeing that in places that are opening, we’re not seeing this spike in cases.” So why not open everything? Because these petty tyrants cannot stand the idea of losing the ability to push people around.
Shutting down the entire United States over a virus that looks to be less deadly than an average flu virus – particularly among those under 80 who are not already sick – has resulted in mass unemployment and economic destruction. More Americans may die from the wrong-headed efforts to fight the virus than from the virus itself.
Americans should pause and reflect on the lies they are being sold. Masks are just a form of psychological manipulation. Many reputable physicians and scientists have said they are worthless and potentially harmful. Lockdowns are meant to condition people to obey without question. A nation of people who just do what they are told by the “experts” without question is a nation ripe for a descent into total tyranny. This is no empty warning – it’s backed up by history. Time to stand up to all the petty tyrants from our hometowns to Washington DC. It is time to reclaim our freedom.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-27--Life in the Coronavirus Red Zone

Life in the Coronavirus Red Zone

Everything about our life is changing , minute-by-minute , as public health officials try to figure out how to respond to the coronavirus .
Some medical doctors believe the worldwide panic is unnecessary and the coronavirus numbers don ’ t constitute a global crisis .
Herbalists are weighing in with best advice for natural treatments .
We still don ’ t know if the virus is spread more by the oral-fecal route or by droplets in the air .
In the meantime , my oldest let us know this morning that her study abroad program in South Africa has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her way home .
Our second ’ s college has just shuttered its campus .
Public schools in our town have been canceled .
Now the entire public library system is closed .
I have a colleague and friend , an American writer and editor , who is in Italy right now , deep in Italy ’ s coronavirus red zone .
I thought it would be useful to get his boots-on-the-ground report from Italy ’ s coronavirus red zone .
As Italia ’ s red zone swelled south from Lombardia into Toscana @ @ @ @ @ @ @ texts from loved ones to flee .
Each day I checked flights and considered paths back home , fretting about customs and quarantines , while not taking action .
“ Get out of there !
” one text said .
A few minutes another arrived : “ You ’ re going to be trapped in Italy.
” Yes , the red zone was coming my way .
In fact , I had already been in it : twice .
I landed a couple of weeks earlier in Milano and had my temperature checked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week later , I took a trek to the Dolomiti Alps in a region that would soon have its newspaper filled with obituaries .
And yes , I wondered if I should heed my loved ones ’ advice and leave .
Now the whole country is a coronavirus red zone .
But I ’ m still not trapped .
Not really .
I ’ m an American and I can make my way to an airport through police stopping points to find one of the very few planes still leaving .
It might @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days and hours in customs , but I could “ get out ” of the red zone .
But I ’ m staying in Italy .
I have realized it is just as safe to be here as in the United States .
Seeing the red zone first-hand , I knew it was coming to the U.S. as well .
It was going to be everywhere .
Reading about the collapsing medical system here I knew well what “ home ” would face .
Think about cities like my home of San Francisco @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need of care .
Will it be any different ?
The U.S. is at the start of this thing .
Italy , I hope , is nearing the end .
By staying here I am part of the national quarantine .
I ’ m riding out this unprecedented moment , Italia ’ s “ darkest hour , ” as Prime Minister Guiseppe Conti has called it , with the Italians .
We ’ re in this coronavirus red zone together .
Everywhere else seems to be too .
I have been staying in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city still surrounded by a 4.2 km circle of a wall .
La mura as the wall is known , is a Medieval-era feat of scientific engineering self-defense that stands strong today .
The inner part of the walls is a limited driving zone .
Cars are kept out .
I ’ m a straniero , a foreigner , much like my Italian grandfather years ago in another time of great crisis when he fled the town where I am living now to come to America .
This town is a pedestrian paradise @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Opera is performed almost every night of the year .
On any given day you can hear half a dozen different languages .
The nightly appertivo brings people together to drink , talk , laugh and complain .
( As an Italian-American I learned early , we Italians know how to complain !
It ’ s an art form . )
Small local stores are still owned and operated by families , even as the chains grab a foothold in the shops next to them .
The walls I mentioned are the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ joggers , bikers , walkers , talkers , sitters , and game players .
These walls don ’ t keep people out .
Instead , they gather people together and foster community .
I live in paradise .
Which is one of the many reasons why I didn ’ t want to leave even as the coronavirus red zone inched toward me .
But today every one of these things has been banned by law .
“ Tutti a casa , ” they call it .
All at home .
It even has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain at home .
The Italian authorities have made compliance mandatory : Break the ban and spend the next three months in jail .
Most of my friends have seen their incomes stop .
Completely .
Nearly all businesses except the grocery stores are closed .
Unlike in America , we have not run out of hand sanitizer or toilet paper .
But the economy of a top ten GDP in the world is in ruins .
“ We are again driven to our knees , ” a friend of mine said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first days of lockdown in Italy , troubled times The morning after the nationwide quarantine started , I peered out my window at the walls .
When the first person walked by I felt some hope .
Then another .
Soon a jogger .
I laced up my running shoes , planning to go out for some morning exercise .
But I was fearful of polizia descending upon me as I opened my building door and inched out .
It didn ’ t happen .
I didn ’ t see any police officers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was shuttered .
Those caffes where the appertivo crowds gathered sat empty , umbrellas closed and tabled locked in piles .
No one was enjoying the sun on the piazza .
Puccini ’ s statue in front of his museum welcomed no visitors .
But on the walls , life remained .
People were walking , biking , and jogging .
They were respectful .
Many wore masks .
All practiced social distancing .
That term wasn ’ t being used yet .
We simply called it “ un po ‘ di cortesia @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
People waved and smiled at me as I ran .
The sun lifted us all .
Even though we had been told a pandemic was starting , no one was catching the disease up there .
That was the first day .
Things have changed .
Now if we venture out of our houses or apartments in Lucca , we ’ re required to have a downloaded form that says why and where we ’ re going .
We have to write where we live , who we are are , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ : “ I am going to work.
” Or “ I have to buy groceries.
” The police are stopping people and doing random checks .
The downloaded forms are required so the police can be sure you are traveling from one destination to the other and back without getting “ lost.
” There is no giratine ( wandering ) these days .
I created a sheet to say I needed wine , so I could drive to a small local wine shop on my scooter , where I filled my bottles for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the city , but it ’ s hard not to go stir crazy .
I welcomed the excuse for a little giratine .
On Facebook the other day an Italian posted a video while walking his dogs .
Both had their papers in their mouths .
Necessary reason for travel : They marked mi scappa la pipì , which means “ I got ta pee really bad !
” Despite the quarantine , the number of deaths from coronavirus has continued to rise .
Italy reported 368 deaths from the virus in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nearly empty but ambulances still race by every hour or so .
Their sirens indicating perhaps that another person afflicted by coronavirus headed to the hospital .
We already know the deaths from the coronavirus would happen like a wave with people infected before the quarantine getting sick and others succumbing to the illness even under quarantine .
To understand this wave , please read this .
We ’ ve been told we need the quarantine to stop the wave in the weeks to come , not to change its path today or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ locked down I didn ’ t think they could do more of a lockdown than we already had in place , but then they did .
They closed the wall in Lucca .
It doesn ’ t make much sense .
But a beautiful Sunday was coming when ordinarily people flock to the walls .
And the mayor of our town , Alessandro Tambellini , caught the virus .
He ’ s in the hospital now .
Closing the wall in Lucca brought a new degree of darkness .
I heard a woman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the wall .
Alone .
People are posting angry , fearful , urgent messages of panic on social media .
Italians have a wicked sense of humor .
Memes , videos , cartoons , endless commentary about the coronavirus red zone , the lockdown , and life , in general , have flooded the internet and group texts .
I have been keeping my windows open just to be a bit closer to others .
I can hear their laughter and I ’ m sure they can hear my music .
Yesterday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only one person was allowed to enter at time .
I smiled broadly and greeted the weary person behind the counter .
She pulled her mask down so I could see her smile as she greeted me back .
For a moment or two , despite the small line outside , we did what we Italians do .
We complained .
It was fun .
“ Altrettanto !
” she responded ( “ Same to you , ” ) instead of the more normal shorthand , “ a lei.
” I reached out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a halt in recent days .
Every tourist booking they had has been canceled .
They responded with complaints and cheer .
“ We ’ re screwed but let ’ s make the most of it !
” one said .
Another reminded us that one can always make love in a time of pandemic if locked up with the right person .
A third ( perhaps facetiously ) suggested we all learn to meditate .
“ We ’ ll come back better than ever , ” yet another friend insisted .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ York Times how under quarantine we ’ ve been singing together from our balconies .
It ’ s magic .
One of my friends is trying to sneak me a guitar into town so I can play along .
I ’ m praying he succeeds .
Last night , another impromptu call made its way around , encouraging everyone to turn off their lights and light a candle in the window for one minute .
I played Buonanotte all ’ Italia by Ligabue as my candle flame sent out light and love .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ didn ’ t catch the disease on either trip through Lombardi .
I haven ’ t caught it here in Lucca either .
Unlike my friends , as long as I have internet and access to a phone , I can continue to earn a living from my home .
But we ’ re not through this yet .
Italy is still a coronavirus red zone and many people are living in fear .
Our best hope is the quarantine will lift by April 3 .
Perhaps we can celebrate Easter in re-opened @ @ @ @ @ @ @ healthy happy people will be walking on the wall , sipping latte macchiato in the outdoor cafés , and going to the opera again .
I ’ m hoping that day is coming soon .

By Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D.
Everything about our life is changing, minute-by-minute, as public health officials try to figure out how to respond to the coronavirus. Some medical doctors believe the worldwide panic is unnecessary and the coronavirus numbers don’t constitute a global crisis. Herbalists are weighing in with best advice for natural treatments. We still don’t know if the virus is spread more by the oral-fecal route or by droplets in the air.
In the meantime, my oldest let us know this morning that her study abroad program in South Africa has been shut down. She’s on her way home. Our second’s college has just shuttered its campus. Public schools in our town have been canceled. Now the entire public library system is closed.
I have a colleague and friend, an American writer and editor, who is in Italy right now, deep in Italy’s coronavirus red zone.
I thought it would be useful to get his boots-on-the-ground report from Italy’s coronavirus red zone.
Here’s his story:
I stayed in the coronavirus red zone
As Italia’s red zone swelled south from Lombardia into Toscana, I resisted the panicked calls and texts from loved ones to flee. Each day I checked flights and considered paths back home, fretting about customs and quarantines, while not taking action.
“Get out of there!” one text said.
A few minutes another arrived: “You’re going to be trapped in Italy.”
Yes, the red zone was coming my way. In fact, I had already been in it: twice. I landed a couple of weeks earlier in Milano and had my temperature checked as I passed through customs. A week later, I took a trek to the Dolomiti Alps in a region that would soon have its newspaper filled with obituaries.
And yes, I wondered if I should heed my loved ones’ advice and leave.
But I didn’t.
Now the whole country is a coronavirus red zone. But I’m still not trapped. Not really. I’m an American and I can make my way to an airport through police stopping points to find one of the very few planes still leaving. It might take a few stops and a few days and hours in customs, but I could “get out” of the red zone.
But I’m staying in Italy. I have realized it is just as safe to be here as in the United States. Seeing the red zone first-hand, I knew it was coming to the U.S. as well. It was going to be everywhere. Reading about the collapsing medical system here I knew well what “home” would face. Think about cities like my home of San Francisco when tens of thousands show up in need of care. Will it be any different?
The U.S. is at the start of this thing. Italy, I hope, is nearing the end.
Stranieri in the red zone
By staying here I am part of the national quarantine. I’m riding out this unprecedented moment, Italia’s “darkest hour,” as Prime Minister Guiseppe Conti has called it, with the Italians. We’re in this coronavirus red zone together. Everywhere else seems to be too.
I have been staying in Lucca. In the center of a city still surrounded by a 4.2 km circle of a wall. La mura as the wall is known, is a Medieval-era feat of scientific engineering self-defense that stands strong today. The inner part of the walls is a limited driving zone. Cars are kept out.
I’m a straniero, a foreigner, much like my Italian grandfather years ago in another time of great crisis when he fled the town where I am living now to come to America.
This town is a pedestrian paradise, home to the Maestro Giacomo Puccini. Opera is performed almost every night of the year. On any given day you can hear half a dozen different languages. The nightly appertivo brings people together to drink, talk, laugh and complain. (As an Italian-American I learned early, we Italians know how to complain! It’s an art form.)
Small local stores are still owned and operated by families, even as the chains grab a foothold in the shops next to them. The walls I mentioned are the community gathering place, full year-round with joggers, bikers, walkers, talkers, sitters, and game players. These walls don’t keep people out. Instead, they gather people together and foster community.
I live in paradise. Which is one of the many reasons why I didn’t want to leave even as the coronavirus red zone inched toward me.
But today every one of these things has been banned by law. “Tutti a casa,” they call it. All at home. It even has a Twitter hashtag #iorestocasa: I remain at home.
The Italian authorities have made compliance mandatory: Break the ban and spend the next three months in jail.
Most of my friends have seen their incomes stop. Completely. Nearly all businesses except the grocery stores are closed. Unlike in America, we have not run out of hand sanitizer or toilet paper. But the economy of a top ten GDP in the world is in ruins.
“We are again driven to our knees,” a friend of mine said.
It is the darkest hour.
The first days of lockdown in Italy, troubled times
The morning after the nationwide quarantine started, I peered out my window at the walls. When the first person walked by I felt some hope. Then another. Soon a jogger.
I laced up my running shoes, planning to go out for some morning exercise.
But I was fearful of polizia descending upon me as I opened my building door and inched out. It didn’t happen. I didn’t see any police officers. Or anyone else. The city was shuttered. Those caffes where the appertivo crowds gathered sat empty, umbrellas closed and tabled locked in piles. No one was enjoying the sun on the piazza. Puccini’s statue in front of his museum welcomed no visitors.
But on the walls, life remained. People were walking, biking, and jogging. They were respectful. Many wore masks. All practiced social distancing. That term wasn’t being used yet. We simply called it “un po ‘di cortesia,” a little bit of courtesy. People waved and smiled at me as I ran. The sun lifted us all. Even though we had been told a pandemic was starting, no one was catching the disease up there.
That was the first day. Things have changed.
Now if we venture out of our houses or apartments in Lucca, we’re required to have a downloaded form that says why and where we’re going. We have to write where we live, who we are are, and our destination.
We have to specify: “I am going to work.” Or “I have to buy groceries.” The police are stopping people and doing random checks. The downloaded forms are required so the police can be sure you are traveling from one destination to the other and back without getting “lost.” There is no giratine (wandering) these days.
I created a sheet to say I needed wine, so I could drive to a small local wine shop on my scooter, where I filled my bottles for 3 euros. I could buy wine in the city, but it’s hard not to go stir crazy. I welcomed the excuse for a little giratine.
On Facebook the other day an Italian posted a video while walking his dogs. Both had their papers in their mouths. Necessary reason for travel: They marked mi scappa la pipì, which means “I gotta pee really bad!”
More coronavirus deaths in Italy
Despite the quarantine, the number of deaths from coronavirus has continued to rise. Italy reported 368 deaths from the virus in just 24 hours.
The roads are nearly empty but ambulances still race by every hour or so. Their sirens indicating perhaps that another person afflicted by coronavirus headed to the hospital.
We already know the deaths from the coronavirus would happen like a wave with people infected before the quarantine getting sick and others succumbing to the illness even under quarantine. To understand this wave, please read this.
We’ve been told we need the quarantine to stop the wave in the weeks to come, not to change its path today or even tomorrow.
A lockdown gets more locked down
I didn’t think they could do more of a lockdown than we already had in place, but then they did.
They closed the wall in Lucca.
It doesn’t make much sense. But a beautiful Sunday was coming when ordinarily people flock to the walls. And the mayor of our town, Alessandro Tambellini, caught the virus. He’s in the hospital now.
Closing the wall in Lucca brought a new degree of darkness. I heard a woman shouting at a man who walked alone on the wall. Alone. People are posting angry, fearful, urgent messages of panic on social media.
The spirit of Italia rising
Italians have a wicked sense of humor. Memes, videos, cartoons, endless commentary about the coronavirus red zone, the lockdown, and life, in general, have flooded the internet and group texts. I have been keeping my windows open just to be a bit closer to others. I can hear their laughter and I’m sure they can hear my music.
Yesterday I went into a roped-off bakery where only one person was allowed to enter at time. I smiled broadly and greeted the weary person behind the counter. She pulled her mask down so I could see her smile as she greeted me back. For a moment or two, despite the small line outside, we did what we Italians do. We complained. It was fun.
“Buona giornata!” I called back as I left.
“Altrettanto!” she responded (“Same to you,”) instead of the more normal shorthand, “a lei.”
I reached out to some friends whose income has crashed to a halt in recent days. Every tourist booking they had has been canceled. They responded with complaints and cheer. “We’re screwed but let’s make the most of it!” one said. Another reminded us that one can always make love in a time of pandemic if locked up with the right person. A third (perhaps facetiously) suggested we all learn to meditate.
“We’ll come back better than ever,” yet another friend insisted.
You may have read in the New York Times how under quarantine we’ve been singing together from our balconies. It’s magic. One of my friends is trying to sneak me a guitar into town so I can play along. I’m praying he succeeds.
Last night, another impromptu call made its way around, encouraging everyone to turn off their lights and light a candle in the window for one minute.
I played Buonanotte all’Italia by Ligabue as my candle flame sent out light and love.
I’m beyond fortunate. I didn’t catch the disease on either trip through Lombardi. I haven’t caught it here in Lucca either. Unlike my friends, as long as I have internet and access to a phone, I can continue to earn a living from my home.
But we’re not through this yet.
Italy is still a coronavirus red zone and many people are living in fear.
Our best hope is the quarantine will lift by April 3. Perhaps we can celebrate Easter in re-opened churches. I know one day soon healthy happy people will be walking on the wall, sipping latte macchiato in the outdoor cafés, and going to the opera again. I’m hoping that day is coming soon.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-27--Wearing a Mask Can Harm Your Health

Wearing a Mask Can Harm Your Health

“ I just don ’ t get it .
Why don ’ t you want to wear a mask ?
” It ’ s not just that masks most likely don ’ t work to stop the spread of coronavirus .
Wearing a mask can harm your health .
Earlier this month an Australian news outlet reported that two 14-year-old Chinese boys collapsed and died six days apart while exercising wearing masks .
“ It happened within two to three minutes during his physical training class .
He was wearing a mask while lapping the running track , then he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on the ground .
I suspect it was because he was wearing a mask , ” one of the grieving fathers told reporters .
Both handmade cloth masks and N95 masks can severely limit oxygen intake , making breathing more difficult .
9 ways that wearing a mask can harm your health : • Wearing a mask reduces blood oxygenation , especially in people over 35 .
Indeed , a team of researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at Ufuk University in Ankara , Turkey reported that the longer a mask is worn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ These researchers also assert that : “ Surgeons in the operating room frequently experience physical discomfort , fatigue , and possibly even deterioration of surgical judgment and performance .
Although considerable information exists about the effects of ambient environment on both mental and physical performance , the final “ personal ” environment for the surgeon beneath the surgical mask is often very inadequately conditioned…it is known that heat and moisture trapping occur beneath surgical masks… ” ( source ) .
• Wearing a mask increases blood carbon dioxide levels .
Citing four different @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , The Third Hospital of Jilin University , “ • It also increases risk of brain fog , difficulty concentrating , and exhaustion , most likely due to insufficient oxygen and increased exposure to carbon dioxide .
• Masks made overseas have been found to be faulty and inadequate .
Nearly all of them contain known carcinogens .
This is why there is a warning label on the carton .
Breathing in carcinogens during the day and having them in contact with your skin may increase your risk of cancer .
• Masks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mostly because they are worn inappropriately , and also because mask-wearers fiddle with them , frequently touching their face .
There is no scientific evidence that shows that cloth masks will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 , according to Lisa Brousseau , ScD , and ( source ) .
• Wearing a mask concentrates the exhaled viruses in the nasal passages , potentially pushing them into the brain .
Our bodies have several effective detoxifications pathways .
One of the ways we rid ourselves of a viral infection is by exhaling .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ any other viral infection , the last thing you want to do is impede your ability to breathe ( source ) .
• Wearing a mask causes problems for people with special needs .
Deaf people who rely on lip reading , people with autism who have trouble understanding verbal cues and need visual cues to help them , and anyone who is hard of hearing suffer the most when people are wearing masks ( source ) .
• Wearing a mask can cause severe and painful contact dermatitis , painful rashes , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( source ) .
Russell Blaylock , M.D.
, a retired neurosurgeon , does not mince words about how wearing a mask can harm your health .
Especially if worn for extended periods , while exercising , or in hot weather , face masks can be deadly .
“ In essence , your mask may very well put you at an increased risk of infections , and if so , having a much worse outcome , ” Blaylock writes ( my emphasis . )
Paul Thomas , M.D.
, a Dartmouth-trained pediatrician with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agrees .
Wearing a mask “ promotes fear , which we know is bad for the immune system , ” Thomas , who is also my colleague and co-author , says .
“ It reduces breathing in fresh air , which is also bad for the immune system , and it does little to nothing to prevent spread of a virus.
” I ’ ve seen people wearing masks while running uphill on nature trials with no other human in sight .
I ’ ve seen people wearing face masks while driving .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ mask passed out and crashed his car .
I ’ ve seen people wearing masks while riding bicycles , close to no one .
And wearing them while by themselves weeding in the garden .
If it makes you feel better to wear a mask , wear one .
That ’ s your right .
But , as Patricia Neuenschwander , R.N.
, explores in this article , there is no compelling scientific evidence that shows that healthy people should be wearing masks .
Informed Choice Washington has condensed Neuenschwander ’ s article @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can print out and share with your mask-loving friends .
Yes to wearing your face mask loudly and proudly if that ’ s what you prefer .
But stop shaming those of us who are more interested in science than in virtue signaling and who choose not to jeopardize our health or yours by wearing masks .

By Jennifer Margulis, Ph.D.
“I just don’t get it. Why don’t you want to wear a mask?”
It’s not just that masks most likely don’t work to stop the spread of coronavirus. Wearing a mask can harm your health.
Earlier this month an Australian news outlet reported that two 14-year-old Chinese boys collapsed and died six days apart while exercising wearing masks.
“It happened within two to three minutes during his physical training class. He was wearing a mask while lapping the running track, then he suddenly fell backwards and hit his head on the ground. I suspect it was because he was wearing a mask,” one of the grieving fathers told reporters.
Both handmade cloth masks and N95 masks can severely limit oxygen intake, making breathing more difficult.
9 ways that wearing a mask can harm your health:
Wearing a mask reduces blood oxygenation, especially in people over 35. Indeed, a team of researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at Ufuk University in Ankara, Turkey reported that the longer a mask is worn the more the blood is desaturated. These researchers also assert that: “Surgeons in the operating room frequently experience physical discomfort, fatigue, and possibly even deterioration of surgical judgment and performance. Although considerable information exists about the effects of ambient environment on both mental and physical performance, the final “personal” environment for the surgeon beneath the surgical mask is often very inadequately conditioned…it is known that heat and moisture trapping occur beneath surgical masks…” (source). Wearing a mask increases blood carbon dioxide levels. Citing four different scientific studies, Dr. Zheng Zhaoshi, PH.D. M.D. at the Department of Neurology, The Third Hospital of Jilin University, “ Wearing a mask increases risk of headaches (source). It also increases risk of brain fog, difficulty concentrating, and exhaustion, most likely due to insufficient oxygen and increased exposure to carbon dioxide. Masks made overseas have been found to be faulty and inadequate. Nearly all of them contain known carcinogens. This is why there is a warning label on the carton. Breathing in carcinogens during the day and having them in contact with your skin may increase your risk of cancer. Masks may increase your risk of infection, mostly because they are worn inappropriately, and also because mask-wearers fiddle with them, frequently touching their face. There is no scientific evidence that shows that cloth masks will help reduce the spread of COVID-19, according to Lisa Brousseau, ScD, and Margaret Sietsema, Ph.D. (source). Wearing a mask concentrates the exhaled viruses in the nasal passages, potentially pushing them into the brain. Our bodies have several effective detoxifications pathways. One of the ways we rid ourselves of a viral infection is by exhaling. If you are sick with COVID-19 or any other viral infection, the last thing you want to do is impede your ability to breathe (source). Wearing a mask causes problems for people with special needs. Deaf people who rely on lip reading, people with autism who have trouble understanding verbal cues and need visual cues to help them, and anyone who is hard of hearing suffer the most when people are wearing masks (source). Wearing a mask can cause severe and painful contact dermatitis, painful rashes, and other skin damage on your face (source).
Russell Blaylock, M.D., a retired neurosurgeon, does not mince words about how wearing a mask can harm your health. Especially if worn for extended periods, while exercising, or in hot weather, face masks can be deadly.
“In essence, your mask may very well put you at an increased risk of infections, and if so, having a much worse outcome,” Blaylock writes (my emphasis.)
Paul Thomas, M.D., a Dartmouth-trained pediatrician with over 30 years of medical experience, agrees. Wearing a mask “promotes fear, which we know is bad for the immune system,” Thomas, who is also my colleague and co-author, says. “It reduces breathing in fresh air, which is also bad for the immune system, and it does little to nothing to prevent spread of a virus.”
I’ve seen people wearing masks while running uphill on nature trials with no other human in sight. I’ve seen people wearing face masks while driving. This New Jersey driver wearing an N95 mask passed out and crashed his car. I’ve seen people wearing masks while riding bicycles, close to no one. And wearing them while by themselves weeding in the garden.
If it makes you feel better to wear a mask, wear one. That’s your right. But, as Patricia Neuenschwander, R.N., explores in this article, there is no compelling scientific evidence that shows that healthy people should be wearing masks. Informed Choice Washington has condensed Neuenschwander’s article into a helpful 1-page handout, which you can print out and share with your mask-loving friends. Yes to wearing your face mask loudly and proudly if that’s what you prefer. But stop shaming those of us who are more interested in science than in virtue signaling and who choose not to jeopardize our health or yours by wearing masks.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-28--The Side-Effects of Vaccines

The Side-Effects of Vaccines

The Australian government has used its emergency powers from the COVID19 situation to mandate the flu vaccine for many people ( from 1 May 2020 ) .
It has done this even though the flu vaccine does not cover the COVID19 strain of coronavirus and without providing any scientific evidence to justify this policy .
Flu vaccines are not proven to be either safe or effective for every person .
It is also of concern that neither doctors nor the government are required to list the ingredients of vaccines or the the side-effects that the pharmaceutical companies have listed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
In Australia the science on vaccines and the control of infectious diseases has been censored for the last decade .
Here is the presentation I gave at the Censorship of the Vaccination Debate forum that was held in Sydney in 2018 .
Fully informed consent to vaccination without coercion is a requirement for good ethical conduct of medical doctors .
Yet in Australia the medical regulatory board for doctors ( AHPRA ) prevents doctors from providing information and professional opinion on vaccination if it is not endorsed by the ‘ accepted science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ – AHPRA : an elite group of medical professionals .
Doctors who breach AHPRA ’ s guidelines are threatened with de-registration .
This stipulation removes the autonomy of doctors to make a professional opinion on vaccines based on their assessment of the complete body of medical literature .
This is called a ‘ medical tyranny ’ and due to the structure of our political system in Australia this has led to doctors promoting the government ’ s vaccination policies , that are not in the patient ’ s best interest due to their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safety of vaccines .
That is , Australian doctors are now in breach of the basic tenet of medicine and they are causing serious harm in the population due to the regulations enforced by their regulatory board that controls their registration to practice medicine .
I will provide below the wording from the safety leaflet for FluQuadri vaccine that describes the risks associated with flu vaccines that have now been mandated for many Australians to participate in employment or to visit their family and friends .
A flu vaccine is not completely safe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be informed of this fact .
Here are the serious side effects listed by the pharmaceutical companies for Influenza vaccines : inflammation of nerves leading to weakness , such as weakness of facial muscles ( facial palsy ) tingling or numbness of hands or feet ( paraesthesia ) fits ( convulsions ) with or without fever temporary reduction in the number of blood particles called platelets ( thrombocytopenia ) All vaccines are also a known cause of auto-immune diseases that can appear months or years after the vaccines are given .
For @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Crohn ’ s disease , Multiple-Sclerosis , Arthritis and many more .
Yet doctors are getting away with telling patients they “ do not know what causes these diseases ” and when these diseases develop doctors are telling parents that “ a virus has caused the disease ” and they ignore the vaccines that are the most plausible cause of these illnesses .
Scientists are re-naming this inflammatory syndrome that is similar to Kawasaki disease as ‘ paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome ’ or PIMS-TS and suggesting that it is being caused by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID19 .
The medical field of disease diagnosis is being manipulated by the medical-industry complex to promote the use of vaccines by abusing the trust that patient ’ s have in doctors and government ’ s to be promoting health policies that are in the public ’ s best interest .
Why are government ’ s permitted to promote coercive and mandatory medical interventions without fully informing the public of the ingredients of vaccines and their documented serious side-effects in humans ?
• If you are being coerced or forced into having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit your friends/relatives are the forms to use for Refusal and Indemnity of Mandatory/Coercive Vaccination • Here is the evidence that you need to win this case in court – US Government Loses Landmark Vaccine Lawsuit .
This document is proof that there has been no quality control of the safety and efficacy of vaccines for 32 years .
Neither the US government nor the Australian government have provided reports/studies showing evidence of safety of vaccines during this time .
This has wide ramifications for the Australian government ’ s coercive vaccination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can support any legal action to make the government accountable for the lies that have been told to parents about vaccine safety and efficacy for over 32 years .
• My book “ Vaccination : Australia ’ s Loss of Health Freedom ” describes this medical tyranny in more detail and the use of the mainstream media to present propaganda on this topic .

By Judy Wilyman PhD
Side-Effects of Vaccines
The Australian government has used its emergency powers from the COVID19 situation to mandate the flu vaccine for many people (from 1 May 2020). It has done this even though the flu vaccine does not cover the COVID19 strain of coronavirus and without providing any scientific evidence to justify this policy.
Flu vaccines are not proven to be either safe or effective for every person. It is also of concern that neither doctors nor the government are required to list the ingredients of vaccines or the the side-effects that the pharmaceutical companies have listed on the package information for over 40 years.
In Australia the science on vaccines and the control of infectious diseases has been censored for the last decade. Here is the presentation I gave at the Censorship of the Vaccination Debate forum that was held in Sydney in 2018.
Fully informed consent to vaccination without coercion is a requirement for good ethical conduct of medical doctors. Yet in Australia the medical regulatory board for doctors (AHPRA) prevents doctors from providing information and professional opinion on vaccination if it is not endorsed by the ‘accepted science’ as decided by the regulatory board – AHPRA: an elite group of medical professionals. Doctors who breach AHPRA’s guidelines are threatened with de-registration.
This stipulation removes the autonomy of doctors to make a professional opinion on vaccines based on their assessment of the complete body of medical literature. This is called a ‘medical tyranny’ and due to the structure of our political system in Australia this has led to doctors promoting the government’s vaccination policies, that are not in the patient’s best interest due to their individual genetics and the lack of proven safety of vaccines.
That is, Australian doctors are now in breach of the basic tenet of medicine and they are causing serious harm in the population due to the regulations enforced by their regulatory board that controls their registration to practice medicine.
I will provide below the wording from the safety leaflet for FluQuadri vaccine that describes the risks associated with flu vaccines that have now been mandated for many Australians to participate in employment or to visit their family and friends.
A flu vaccine is not completely safe or effective and the public is entitled to be informed of this fact.
Here are the serious side effects listed by the pharmaceutical companies for Influenza vaccines :
inflammation of nerves leading to weakness, such as weakness of facial muscles (facial palsy)
visual disturbance (optic neuritis/ neuropathy)
fainting (syncope)
dizziness
tingling or numbness of hands or feet (paraesthesia)
temporary inflammation of nerves causing pain
paralysis and sensitivity disorders (Guillain Barre syndrome [GBS])
fits (convulsions) with or without fever
severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis)
temporary reduction in the number of blood particles called platelets (thrombocytopenia)
swollen glands in neck, armpit or groin (lymphadenopathy)
All vaccines are also a known cause of auto-immune diseases that can appear months or years after the vaccines are given. For example, Kawasaki disease (vasculitis), Crohn’s disease, Multiple-Sclerosis, Arthritis and many more. Yet doctors are getting away with telling patients they “do not know what causes these diseases” and when these diseases develop doctors are telling parents that “a virus has caused the disease” and they ignore the vaccines that are the most plausible cause of these illnesses.
Scientists are re-naming this inflammatory syndrome that is similar to Kawasaki disease as ‘paediatric inflammatory multisystem syndrome’ or PIMS-TS and suggesting that it is being caused by a ‘virus’ and associating it with COVID19.
The medical field of disease diagnosis is being manipulated by the medical-industry complex to promote the use of vaccines by abusing the trust that patient’s have in doctors and government’s to be promoting health policies that are in the public’s best interest.
Why are government’s permitted to promote coercive and mandatory medical interventions without fully informing the public of the ingredients of vaccines and their documented serious side-effects in humans?
Refusing Vaccinations without Penalty


australiannationalreview--2020-05-28--Thanks to Facebook, anti-vaxxers will soon be the majority – study

Despite the overwhelming evidence vaccines work , experts fear anti-vaxxers might soon outnumber those who believe in the science – with Facebook largely to blame .
Researchers looking at how the anti-vaccination movement has exploded in recent years have found small but highly active groups on the world ’ s biggest social media site are spreading misinformation and unscientific messages about vaccines faster than health agencies and scientists can keep up .
“ There is a new world war online surrounding trust in health expertise and science , particularly with misinformation about COVID-19 , but also distrust in big pharmaceuticals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Neil Johnson at George Washington University , who led the research .
“ Nobody knew what the field of battle looked like , though , so we set to find out.
” What they found was a network “ of unprecedented intricacy that involves nearly 100 million individuals partitioned into highly dynamic , interconnected clusters across cities , countries , continents and languages ” .
While they ’ re presently vastly outnumbered by people who believe in the science , those clusters “ manage to become highly entangled with undecided clusters in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are more peripheral ” .
The researchers found there are three times as many anti-vaccination groups on Facebook as pro-vaccination , and they tend to contain a lot more “ content ” – the authors notably avoiding the world “ information ” to describe their contents – than pro-vaccination communities , which tended to focus on public health benefits .
In other words , on Facebook you ’ re generally more likely to come across anti-vaccination content than pro-vaccination .
“ We thought we would see major public health entities and state-run health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battle , but we found the opposite .
They were fighting off to one side , in the wrong place , ” said Prof Johnson .
The researchers developed a mathematical model to figure out where this would lead , and the result wasn ’ t promising .
“ Our theoretical framework reproduces the recent explosive growth in anti-vaccination views , and predicts that these views will dominate in a decade , ” the study , published in journal Nature , found .
Worryingly , more people sign up to anti-vaccination views during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the highest growth during the measles outbreak of 2019 , whereas pro-vaccination clusters show the lowest growth , ” the study found .
Prof Johnson said their research could help public health agencies develop “ an entirely new set of strategies to identify where the largest theaters of online activity are and engage and neutralise those communities peddling in misinformation so harmful to the public ” .
Facebook has refused to ban false anti-vaccination content on its platforms , despite the World Health Organization listing the movement as one of the planet ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The social network , which also owns Instagram and messaging service Whatsapp , says it has “ de-ranked ” anti-vaxxer groups in its algorithms and added links to reliable sources at the top of search results .
“ For example , if a group or page admin posts this vaccine misinformation , we will exclude the entire group or page from recommendations , reduce these groups and page ’ distribution in news feed and search , and reject ads with this misinformation , ” spokesperson Monika Bickert said last year .
CEO Mark @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Facebook wouldn ’ t stop people exercising “ freedom of expression ” .
“ If someone wants to post anti-vaccination content , or if they want to join a group where people are discussing that content , we don ’ t prevent them from doing that.
” A University of Otago study in March found half of all search results on Facebook for information about vaccines brought up ‘ negative ’ content , far more than Google ( 20 percent negative ) and YouTube ( 15 percent ) .
Once a person clicks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , algorithms make it likely they ’ ll see more , the Kiwi researchers said .

By Dan Satherley
Despite the overwhelming evidence vaccines work, experts fear anti-vaxxers might soon outnumber those who believe in the science – with Facebook largely to blame.
Researchers looking at how the anti-vaccination movement has exploded in recent years have found small but highly active groups on the world’s biggest social media site are spreading misinformation and unscientific messages about vaccines faster than health agencies and scientists can keep up.
“There is a new world war online surrounding trust in health expertise and science, particularly with misinformation about COVID-19, but also distrust in big pharmaceuticals and governments,” said data scientists Neil Johnson at George Washington University, who led the research.
“Nobody knew what the field of battle looked like, though, so we set to find out.”
What they found was a network “of unprecedented intricacy that involves nearly 100 million individuals partitioned into highly dynamic, interconnected clusters across cities, countries, continents and languages”.
While they’re presently vastly outnumbered by people who believe in the science, those clusters “manage to become highly entangled with undecided clusters in the main online network, whereas pro-vaccination clusters are more peripheral”.
The researchers found there are three times as many anti-vaccination groups on Facebook as pro-vaccination, and they tend to contain a lot more “content” – the authors notably avoiding the world “information” to describe their contents – than pro-vaccination communities, which tended to focus on public health benefits.
In other words, on Facebook you’re generally more likely to come across anti-vaccination content than pro-vaccination.
“We thought we would see major public health entities and state-run health departments at the center of this online battle, but we found the opposite. They were fighting off to one side, in the wrong place,” said Prof Johnson.
The researchers developed a mathematical model to figure out where this would lead, and the result wasn’t promising.
“Our theoretical framework reproduces the recent explosive growth in anti-vaccination views, and predicts that these views will dominate in a decade,” the study, published in journal Nature, found.
Worryingly, more people sign up to anti-vaccination views during disease outbreaks.
“Anti-vaccination clusters show the highest growth during the measles outbreak of 2019, whereas pro-vaccination clusters show the lowest growth,” the study found.
Prof Johnson said their research could help public health agencies develop “an entirely new set of strategies to identify where the largest theaters of online activity are and engage and neutralise those communities peddling in misinformation so harmful to the public”.
Facebook has refused to ban false anti-vaccination content on its platforms, despite the World Health Organization listing the movement as one of the planet’s top 10 threats to health. The social network, which also owns Instagram and messaging service Whatsapp, says it has “de-ranked” anti-vaxxer groups in its algorithms and added links to reliable sources at the top of search results.
“For example, if a group or page admin posts this vaccine misinformation, we will exclude the entire group or page from recommendations, reduce these groups and page’ distribution in news feed and search, and reject ads with this misinformation,” spokesperson Monika Bickert said last year.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg told US Congress later that year Facebook wouldn’t stop people exercising “freedom of expression”.
“If someone wants to post anti-vaccination content, or if they want to join a group where people are discussing that content, we don’t prevent them from doing that.”
A University of Otago study in March found half of all search results on Facebook for information about vaccines brought up ‘negative’ content, far more than Google (20 percent negative) and YouTube (15 percent).
Once a person clicks on one anti-vaccine article or Facebook page, algorithms make it likely they’ll see more, the Kiwi researchers said.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-29--Bill Gates’ Instagram Page Flooded With People Calling For His Arrest For ‘Crimes Against Humanity’

Bill Gates ’ plan to “ save the world ” by rolling out a potentially mandatory vaccine for the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ be allowed to resume “ normal life ” without a “ digital certificate “ to @ @ @ @ @ — is proving extremely unpopular with internet users .
Instagrammers are hitting back against Bill @ @ @ @ @ with thousands upon thousands of angry messages telling him to stop experimenting with the health @ @ @ @ @ or expect to be charged with “ crimes against humanity.
“ “ Money doesn ’ @ @ @ @ @ against the people .
You need to be charged for crimes against humanity , ” @ @ @ @ @ that garnered hundreds of likes .
“ I look forward to watching your trial !
@ @ @ @ @ comment that also picked up hundreds and hundreds of likes .
Many users also commented @ @ @ @ @ has been deleting the torrent of critical comments from his page .

By Baxter Dmitry
Bill Gates’ plan to “save the world” by rolling out a potentially mandatory vaccine for the coronavirus — and suggesting nobody will be allowed to resume “normal life” without a “digital certificate“ to prove they have been vaccinated — is proving extremely unpopular with internet users.
Instagrammers are hitting back against Bill Gates, punishing his posts with thousands upon thousands of angry messages telling him to stop experimenting with the health of “lesser humans” or expect to be charged with “crimes against humanity.“
“Money doesn’t give you any rights against the people. You need to be charged for crimes against humanity,” said schizandramaier in a comment that garnered hundreds of likes.
“I look forward to watching your trial!” said ccseyanelee in a comment that also picked up hundreds and hundreds of likes.
Many users also commented on the fact Bill Gates has been deleting the torrent of critical comments from his page.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-29--Unmasking The Science You Aren’t Hearing On TV | COVID-19 Facts from the Frontline

Unmasking The Science You Aren ’ t Hearing On TV | COVID-19 Facts from the Frontline

URGENT: JUST 7 DAYS REMAIN TO HELP SAVE INDEPENDENT MEDIA & ANR, SO LET'S CUT THE BS & GET TO THE POINT - WE WILL BE FORCED LAY OFF STAFF & REDUCE OPERATIONS UNLESS WE ARE FULLY FUNDED WITHIN THE NEXT 2 WEEKS - Sadly, less than 0.5% of readers currently donate or subscribe to us But YOU can easily change that. Imagine the impact we'd make if 3 in 10 readers supported us today. To start with we’d remove this annoying banner as we could fight for a full year...


australiannationalreview--2020-05-29--Nobel Laureate: ‘Coronavirus Lockdown Policy Was Huge Mistake, There Will Be a Reckoning’

This is a very revealing interview .
As the US and UK continue their disastrous ‘ lockdown ’ policy , derelict politicians and mainstream media pundits are slow to acknowledge the serious damage on the economic and societal fronts building .
Leaders seem determined to double-down on what seems to be a failed policy of virus containment even though scientists had already shown that the crisis had in fact peaked some weeks ago .
According to Professor Michael Levitt from Standford University ’ s School of Medicine , “ There is no doubt in my mind , that when we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the damage done by lockdown will exceed any saving of lives by a huge factor.
” In other words , the ‘ cure ’ of government mandated mass-quarantine is actually worse than the disease .
Prof. Levitt also points out that Sweden should be seen as a clear winner in term of its choice to avoid lockdown policy .
Prof Levitt believes the UK was actually on the right path when Boris Johnson had initially unveiled a plan similar to Sweden ’ s , but was then quickly pressured by a media and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lockdown ’ approach .
“ I think the policy of herd immunity is the right policy .
I think Britain was on exactly the right track before they were fed wrong numbers .
And they made a huge mistake.
” He also added that a lesson learned going forward should be not to accept the diktats of political leaders and their appointed ‘ experts ’ at face value , while warning that : “ There will be a reckoning .
Maybe countries will start to see that they need governments that are not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who are ] actually thinking [ when ] doing things .
I often go back and think about what Socrates said 2,400 years ago , ‘ Use your common sense , instead of listening to the rhetoric of leaders.
” As he is careful to point out , Professor Michael Levitt is not an epidemiologist .
He ’ s Professor of Structural Biology at the Stanford School of Medicine , and winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for “ the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems.
” He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told us in our interview , his wife says he loves numbers more than her — but then , much of modern science is really about statistics ( as his detractors never tire of pointing out , Professor Neil Ferguson is a theoretical physicist by training ) .
With a purely statistical perspective , he has been playing close attention to the Covid-19 pandemic since January , when most of us were not even aware of it .
He first spoke out in early February , when through analysing the numbers of cases @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with remarkable accuracy that the epidemic in that province would top out at around 3,250 deaths .
His observation is a simple one : that in outbreak after outbreak of this disease , a similar mathematical pattern is observable regardless of government interventions .
After around a two week exponential growth of cases ( and , subsequently , deaths ) some kind of break kicks in , and growth starts slowing down .
The curve quickly becomes “ sub-exponential ” .
This may seem like a technical distinction , but its implications are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ modelled by ( among others ) Imperial College , and which tilted governments across the world into drastic action , relied on a presumption of continued exponential growth — that with a consistent R number of significantly above 1 and a consistent death rate , very quickly the majority of the population would be infected and huge numbers of deaths would be recorded .
But Professor Levitt ’ s point is that that hasn ’ t actually happened anywhere , even in countries that have been relatively lax in their responses .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ paper .
“ In a footnote to a table it said , assuming exponential growth of 15 % for six days .
Now I had looked at China and had never seen exponential growth that wasn ’ t decaying rapidly.
” The explanation for this flattening that we are used to is that social distancing and lockdowns have slowed the curve , but he is unconvinced .
As he put it to me , in the subsequent examples to China of South Korea , Iran and Italy , “ the beginning of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was very hard for me to believe that those three countries could practice social distancing as well as China.
” He believes that both some degree of prior immunity and large numbers of asymptomatic cases are important factors .
Prof Levitt was joining us down the line from Tel Aviv and we had intermittent bandwidth issues which have done our best to edit out .
Watch : ( con ’ t ) He also observes that the total number of deaths we are seeing , in places as diverse as New York City @ @ @ @ @ @ @ France and Northern Italy , all seem to level out at a very similar fraction of the total population .
“ Are they all practicing equally good social distancing ?
I don ’ t think so.
” He disagrees with Sir David Spiegelhalter ’ s calculations that the totem is around one additional year of excess deaths , while ( by adjusting to match the effects seen on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship ) he calculates that it is more like one month of excess death that is need before the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complains that epidemiologists only seem to be called wrong if they underestimate deaths , and so there is an intrinsic bias towards caution .
“ They see their role as scaring people into doing something , and I understand that… but in my work , if I say a number is too small and I ’ m wrong , or too big and I ’ m wrong , both of those errors are the same.
” He believes the much-discussed R0 is a faulty number , as it is meaningless without the time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measures as “ a huge mistake , ” and advocates a “ smart lockdown ” policy , focused on more effective measures , focused on protecting elderly people .
“ I think the policy of herd immunity is the right policy .
I think Britain was on exactly the right track before they were fed wrong numbers .
And they made a huge mistake .
I see the standout winners as Germany and Sweden .
They didn ’ t practice too much lockdown and they got enough people sick to get some herd @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as countries like Austria , Australia and Israel that had very strict lockdown but didn ’ t have many cases .
They have damaged their economies , caused massive social damage , damaged the educational year of their children , but not obtained any herd immunity .
”

BY
This is a very revealing interview. As the US and UK continue their disastrous ‘lockdown’ policy, derelict politicians and mainstream media pundits are slow to acknowledge the serious damage on the economic and societal fronts building. Leaders seem determined to double-down on what seems to be a failed policy of virus containment even though scientists had already shown that the crisis had in fact peaked some weeks ago.
According to Professor Michael Levitt from Standford University’s School of Medicine, “There is no doubt in my mind, that when we come to look back on this, the damage done by lockdown will exceed any saving of lives by a huge factor.”
In other words, the ‘cure’ of government mandated mass-quarantine is actually worse than the disease. Prof. Levitt also points out that Sweden should be seen as a clear winner in term of its choice to avoid lockdown policy.
Prof Levitt believes the UK was actually on the right path when Boris Johnson had initially unveiled a plan similar to Sweden’s, but was then quickly pressured by a media and political opposition into pursing the self-destructive ‘lockdown’ approach.
“I think the policy of herd immunity is the right policy. I think Britain was on exactly the right track before they were fed wrong numbers. And they made a huge mistake.”
He also added that a lesson learned going forward should be not to accept the diktats of political leaders and their appointed ‘experts’ at face value, while warning that:
“There will be a reckoning. Maybe countries will start to see that they need governments that are not necessarily great in rhetoric, but [who are] actually thinking [when] doing things. I often go back and think about what Socrates said 2,400 years ago, ‘Use your common sense, instead of listening to the rhetoric of leaders.”
UnHerd reports…
As he is careful to point out, Professor Michael Levitt is not an epidemiologist. He’s Professor of Structural Biology at the Stanford School of Medicine, and winner of the 2013 Nobel Prize for Chemistry for “the development of multiscale models for complex chemical systems.” He’s a numbers guy — as he told us in our interview, his wife says he loves numbers more than her — but then, much of modern science is really about statistics (as his detractors never tire of pointing out, Professor Neil Ferguson is a theoretical physicist by training).
With a purely statistical perspective, he has been playing close attention to the Covid-19 pandemic since January, when most of us were not even aware of it. He first spoke out in early February, when through analysing the numbers of cases and deaths in Hubei province he predicted with remarkable accuracy that the epidemic in that province would top out at around 3,250 deaths.
His observation is a simple one: that in outbreak after outbreak of this disease, a similar mathematical pattern is observable regardless of government interventions. After around a two week exponential growth of cases (and, subsequently, deaths) some kind of break kicks in, and growth starts slowing down. The curve quickly becomes “sub-exponential”.
This may seem like a technical distinction, but its implications are profound. The ‘unmitigated’ scenarios modelled by (among others) Imperial College, and which tilted governments across the world into drastic action, relied on a presumption of continued exponential growth — that with a consistent R number of significantly above 1 and a consistent death rate, very quickly the majority of the population would be infected and huge numbers of deaths would be recorded. But Professor Levitt’s point is that that hasn’t actually happened anywhere, even in countries that have been relatively lax in their responses.
He takes specific issue with the Neil Ferguson paper. “In a footnote to a table it said, assuming exponential growth of 15% for six days. Now I had looked at China and had never seen exponential growth that wasn’t decaying rapidly.”
The explanation for this flattening that we are used to is that social distancing and lockdowns have slowed the curve, but he is unconvinced. As he put it to me, in the subsequent examples to China of South Korea, Iran and Italy, “the beginning of the epidemics showed a slowing down and it was very hard for me to believe that those three countries could practice social distancing as well as China.” He believes that both some degree of prior immunity and large numbers of asymptomatic cases are important factors.
Prof Levitt was joining us down the line from Tel Aviv and we had intermittent bandwidth issues which have done our best to edit out. Watch:
(con’t) He also observes that the total number of deaths we are seeing, in places as diverse as New York City, parts of England, parts of France and Northern Italy, all seem to level out at a very similar fraction of the total population. “Are they all practicing equally good social distancing? I don’t think so.” He disagrees with Sir David Spiegelhalter’s calculations that the totem is around one additional year of excess deaths, while (by adjusting to match the effects seen on the quarantined Diamond Princess cruise ship) he calculates that it is more like one month of excess death that is need before the virus peters out.
More generally, he complains that epidemiologists only seem to be called wrong if they underestimate deaths, and so there is an intrinsic bias towards caution. “They see their role as scaring people into doing something, and I understand that… but in my work, if I say a number is too small and I’m wrong, or too big and I’m wrong, both of those errors are the same.”
He believes the much-discussed R0 is a faulty number, as it is meaningless without the time infectious alongside.
He describes indiscriminate lockdown measures as “a huge mistake,” and advocates a “smart lockdown” policy, focused on more effective measures, focused on protecting elderly people.
“I think the policy of herd immunity is the right policy. I think Britain was on exactly the right track before they were fed wrong numbers. And they made a huge mistake. I see the standout winners as Germany and Sweden. They didn’t practice too much lockdown and they got enough people sick to get some herd immunity. I see the standout losers as countries like Austria, Australia and Israel that had very strict lockdown but didn’t have many cases. They have damaged their economies, caused massive social damage, damaged the educational year of their children, but not obtained any herd immunity.”


australiannationalreview--2020-05-30--CDC’s Latest ‘Best Estimate’ of COVID Death Rate Is 13 Times Lower Than Initial WHO Claim

It ’ s a number that informed so many of our public policy decisions regarding COVID-19 : 3.4 percent .
On March 3 , in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic , World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a remark during a media briefing that guided how we viewed the threat posed by the novel coronavirus .
“ While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains , COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity .
That means more people are susceptible to infection , and some will suffer severe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ briefing .
“ Globally , about 3.4 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have died .
By comparison , seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected.
” Now , was this based on incomplete information ?
Of course .
TRENDING : Bill Clinton Denied Going to Epstein ’ s Island , Now a Witness Says Otherwise At some level , it ’ s difficult to blame individuals working from a very limited data set .
On the other hand , that limited data set influenced how we approached the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ’ s current “ best estimate ” of the COVID-19 death rate is accurate , it ’ s 13 times lower than the initial WHO claim .
According to statistics “ based on data received by CDC prior to 4/29/2020 , ” the death rate from COVID-19 could be as low as 0.26 percent .
The numbers are based on the newest of “ five COVID-19 Pandemic Planning Scenarios that are designed to help inform decisions by modelers and public health officials who utilize @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Each scenario is based on a set of numerical values for biological and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 .
These values — called parameter values — can be used to estimate the possible effects of COVID-19 in U.S. states and localities .
The parameter values in each scenario will be updated and augmented over time , as we learn more about the epidemiology of COVID-19.
” Scenario 5 — the operative scenario at the moment , at least given the data that we have — has some interesting data regarding the death @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the CDC ’ s data , the symptomatic case fatality percentage is 0.4 percent .
Reading further into the data reveals it ’ s even lower than that .
Scenario 5 includes data on “ [ p ] ercent of infections that are asymptomatic.
” That , according to the CDC , is 35 percent .
So , do the math : It turns out that means the death rate is only 0.26 percent , according to the CDC ’ s own numbers .
Now , does this mean the death rate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not .
Even now , we ’ re in the early days in terms of statistics for the novel coronavirus .
However , what ’ s clear is that , when all is said and done , we ’ re going to be nowhere close to the 3.4 percent originally predicted by the World Health Organization .
This was predicted by plenty of people at the beginning — including President Donald Trump , who was criticized when he said March 4 that 3.4 percent was “ really a false number ” and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 percent.
” Now , does this mean that the president or any of the others who predicted this are doctors or epidemiologists ?
No .
However , they had a basic understanding of how statistics work .
They knew that , in the early days of the virus , with limited testing and limited data , the numbers were going to seem a lot higher than they actually were .
And yet , Tedros wasn ’ t the only one who thought the death rate for the coronavirus was an order of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is .
In February , Dr. Anthony Fauci , director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases , said it was 2 percent .
“ If you look at the cases that have come to the attention of the medical authorities , in China , and you just do the math — the math is about 2 percent .
If you look at certain age groups , certain risk groups , the fatality is much higher , ” Fauci told Congress , according to CNBC .
If there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rate of 2 or 3 percent , yes , locking down the populace is a reasonable reaction .
If we ’ re talking about something closer to 0.26 percent , putting the world into a new Great Depression seems a bit of an overreaction .
We don ’ t know the final death rate for the novel coronavirus yet .
One thing ’ s for sure , though — it ’ s not 3.4 percent or anything close to that .
It might not be 13 times lower , but it ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anything predicted at the beginning .
That has a lot of implications going forward , including when we start second-guessing what we did to our society and economy in order to arrest the spread of the disease .

By C. Douglas Golden
It’s a number that informed so many of our public policy decisions regarding COVID-19: 3.4 percent.
On March 3, in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, World Health Organization director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus made a remark during a media briefing that guided how we viewed the threat posed by the novel coronavirus.
“While many people globally have built up immunity to seasonal flu strains, COVID-19 is a new virus to which no one has immunity. That means more people are susceptible to infection, and some will suffer severe disease,” Tedros said during the briefing.
“Globally, about 3.4 percent of reported COVID-19 cases have died. By comparison, seasonal flu generally kills far fewer than 1 percent of those infected.”
Now, was this based on incomplete information? Of course.
TRENDING: Bill Clinton Denied Going to Epstein’s Island, Now a Witness Says Otherwise
At some level, it’s difficult to blame individuals working from a very limited data set.
On the other hand, that limited data set influenced how we approached the disease — and it turns out that, if the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s current “best estimate” of the COVID-19 death rate is accurate, it’s 13 times lower than the initial WHO claim.
According to statistics “based on data received by CDC prior to 4/29/2020,” the death rate from COVID-19 could be as low as 0.26 percent.
The numbers are based on the newest of “five COVID-19 Pandemic Planning Scenarios that are designed to help inform decisions by modelers and public health officials who utilize mathematical modeling,” the CDC said.
“Each scenario is based on a set of numerical values for biological and epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19. These values — called parameter values — can be used to estimate the possible effects of COVID-19 in U.S. states and localities. The parameter values in each scenario will be updated and augmented over time, as we learn more about the epidemiology of COVID-19.”
Scenario 5 — the operative scenario at the moment, at least given the data that we have — has some interesting data regarding the death rates for the novel coronavirus.
According to the CDC’s data, the symptomatic case fatality percentage is 0.4 percent.
Reading further into the data reveals it’s even lower than that.
Scenario 5 includes data on “[p]ercent of infections that are asymptomatic.” That, according to the CDC, is 35 percent.
So, do the math: It turns out that means the death rate is only 0.26 percent, according to the CDC’s own numbers.
Now, does this mean the death rate is truly 0.26 percent? Of course not. Even now, we’re in the early days in terms of statistics for the novel coronavirus. However, what’s clear is that, when all is said and done, we’re going to be nowhere close to the 3.4 percent originally predicted by the World Health Organization.
This was predicted by plenty of people at the beginning — including President Donald Trump, who was criticized when he said March 4 that 3.4 percent was “really a false number” and the actual death rate would be “under 1 percent.”
Now, does this mean that the president or any of the others who predicted this are doctors or epidemiologists? No. However, they had a basic understanding of how statistics work. They knew that, in the early days of the virus, with limited testing and limited data, the numbers were going to seem a lot higher than they actually were.
And yet, Tedros wasn’t the only one who thought the death rate for the coronavirus was an order of magnitude higher than current data says it is. In February, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said it was 2 percent.
“If you look at the cases that have come to the attention of the medical authorities, in China, and you just do the math — the math is about 2 percent. If you look at certain age groups, certain risk groups, the fatality is much higher,” Fauci told Congress, according to CNBC.
There’s a reason this matters.
If there’s a disease that spreads rapidly and has a death rate of 2 or 3 percent, yes, locking down the populace is a reasonable reaction.
If we’re talking about something closer to 0.26 percent, putting the world into a new Great Depression seems a bit of an overreaction.
We don’t know the final death rate for the novel coronavirus yet. One thing’s for sure, though — it’s not 3.4 percent or anything close to that. It might not be 13 times lower, but it’s a lot closer to that than anything predicted at the beginning.
That has a lot of implications going forward, including when we start second-guessing what we did to our society and economy in order to arrest the spread of the disease.


australiannationalreview--2020-05-30--New Zealand MP Simon O’Connor expose the world coup and warns of absolute tyranny covid agenda

New Zealand MP Simon O ’ Connor expose the world coup and warns of absolute tyranny covid agenda


australiannationalreview--2020-06-01--One Good Thing about the Lockdown

One Good Thing about the Lockdown

One of the few good things to come out of the government-mandated shutdown is that many parents have started homeschooling their children .
Many of these parents are likely to continue homeschooling after the government schools reopen .
Last week , the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ( CDC ) did its part to encourage homeschooling when it unveiled “ guidelines ” for schools to follow when they reopen .
Among the CDC ’ s guidelines are that schools put tape on the hallways , directing children which direction to walk and how much distance to keep between themselves @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recommends children do not share electronic devices or learning aids .
The guidelines even say children should wear masks at school .
The CDC ’ s guidelines instruct schools to close playgrounds and cafeterias , and to cancel all field trips and assemblies .
Instead , students are to spend all day at their desks , not even leaving classrooms for lunch or recess .
The CDC ’ s guidelines may not have the force of law , but it is likely most government schools will adopt them in order to ensure continued @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do this even though children are at a very low risk of being seriously harmed by coronavirus .
In fact , by forbidding children from going outside to play , exercise , and get sunshine , the guidelines actually endanger children ’ s health .
The guidelines also harm children by limiting their ability to interact with their fellow students and develop social skills .
Opponents of homeschooling claim that homeschooled children lack proper socialization .
Like many attacks on homeschooling , the claim that homeschoolers are not “ socialized ” is the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Corey DeAngelis recently told journalist John Stossel in a Reason interview that “ children who are homeschooled get much better academic and social results than kids in government schools.
” Mr. DeAngelis pointed out that “ homeschoolers score about 30 percent higher on the SAT test than kids in regular schools.
” Parents looking for a homeschooling program that includes an introduction to the ideas of liberty should consider my homeschool curriculum .
My homeschool curriculum provides students with a solid education in history , literature , mathematics , and the sciences .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ create their own websites and internet-based businesses .
The curriculum is designed to be self-taught , with students helping , and learning from , each other via online forums .
Starting in fourth grade , students are required to write at least one essay a week .
Students also take a course in public speaking .
The curriculum teaches history from a pro-liberty perspective , and the economics section is taught from the Austrian viewpoint .
But , unlike government schools , the curriculum does not compromise education quality or distort facts in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ using my homeschooling program develop a love of learning , study superior communication skills , and gain real-world business experience .
They also develop the critical thinking skills necessary to see through the lies peddled by government officials and their sycophants in the mainstream media .
The skills and knowledge students gain will enable them to succeed in whatever careers they choose to pursue .
Parents interested in giving their children a well-rounded homeschool education that includes sound economics and the history and philosophy of liberty can get more information about my curriculum @ @ @ @ @

By Ron Paul
One of the few good things to come out of the government-mandated shutdown is that many parents have started homeschooling their children. Many of these parents are likely to continue homeschooling after the government schools reopen.
Last week, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) did its part to encourage homeschooling when it unveiled “guidelines” for schools to follow when they reopen. Among the CDC’s guidelines are that schools put tape on the hallways, directing children which direction to walk and how much distance to keep between themselves and their classmates. The CDC also recommends children do not share electronic devices or learning aids. The guidelines even say children should wear masks at school.
The CDC’s guidelines instruct schools to close playgrounds and cafeterias, and to cancel all field trips and assemblies. Instead, students are to spend all day at their desks, not even leaving classrooms for lunch or recess.
The CDC’s guidelines may not have the force of law, but it is likely most government schools will adopt them in order to ensure continued access to federal funding. Schools will do this even though children are at a very low risk of being seriously harmed by coronavirus. In fact, by forbidding children from going outside to play, exercise, and get sunshine, the guidelines actually endanger children’s health. The guidelines also harm children by limiting their ability to interact with their fellow students and develop social skills.
Opponents of homeschooling claim that homeschooled children lack proper socialization. Like many attacks on homeschooling, the claim that homeschoolers are not “socialized” is the opposite of the truth. Education researcher Corey DeAngelis recently told journalist John Stossel in a Reason interview that “children who are homeschooled get much better academic and social results than kids in government schools.” Mr. DeAngelis pointed out that “homeschoolers score about 30 percent higher on the SAT test than kids in regular schools.”
Parents looking for a homeschooling program that includes an introduction to the ideas of liberty should consider my homeschool curriculum. My homeschool curriculum provides students with a solid education in history, literature, mathematics, and the sciences. It also gives students the opportunity to create their own websites and internet-based businesses. The curriculum is designed to be self-taught, with students helping, and learning from, each other via online forums.
Starting in fourth grade, students are required to write at least one essay a week. Students also take a course in public speaking.
The curriculum teaches history from a pro-liberty perspective, and the economics section is taught from the Austrian viewpoint. But, unlike government schools, the curriculum does not compromise education quality or distort facts in pursuit of a political agenda.
Students using my homeschooling program develop a love of learning, study superior communication skills, and gain real-world business experience. They also develop the critical thinking skills necessary to see through the lies peddled by government officials and their sycophants in the mainstream media. The skills and knowledge students gain will enable them to succeed in whatever careers they choose to pursue.
Parents interested in giving their children a well-rounded homeschool education that includes sound economics and the history and philosophy of liberty can get more information about my curriculum by going to RonPaulCurriculum.com.


australiannationalreview--2020-06-01--Donald Trump breaks US ties with WHO, moves to end Hong Kong privileges as coronavirus tensions with

Donald Trump breaks US ties with WHO, moves to end Hong Kong privileges as coronavirus tensions with China surge

US President Donald Trump says he is “ terminating ” the relationship between the United States and the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , which he says is heavily influenced by China .
In a briefing , Mr Trump also said the US was ending Hong Kong ’ s special trade status and suspending the visas of thousands of Chinese graduate students — escalating tensions with China that have surged during the coronavirus pandemic .
Mr Trump has been expressing anger at the WHO for weeks over what he has portrayed as an inadequate response to the initial outbreak @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wuhan province late last year , which has since killed more than 100,000 Americans .
Speaking from the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday , Mr Trump said Chinese officials “ ignored ” their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured them into misleading the world when the virus was first discovered .
Mr Trump said the WHO had failed to make reforms to the organisation that the President had demanded in a May 18 letter to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus .
That letter had given the WHO 30 days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trump ’ s action came after just 11 days .
“ Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms , we will be today terminating the relationship.
” Trump says China has ‘ total control ’ over WHO Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to eliminate American funding for the group — which amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars a year — and blamed China for the spread of the coronavirus and the economic impact it has had on the global economy .
“ China has total control over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 40 million per year compared to what the United States has been paying which is approximately $ 450 million a year , ” he said .
Mr Trump did not provide further details of where those funds would be directed .
The US is the largest source of financial support to the WHO .
Its exit is expected to significantly weaken the organisation and could have global implications on the WHO ’ s response to the pandemic .
“ Severing ties with the World Health Organization serves no logical purpose and makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis dramatically more challenging , ” said Patrice Harris , president of the American Medical Association .
The WHO did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Mr Trump ’ s decision , but a spokesman for UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres said : “ We have consistently called for all states to support WHO.
” Australia will continue with its funding commitments to the WHO but shares some of the concerns raised by the US , a Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson said .
“ Australia values our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health issues , ” the spokesperson said .
“ Australia will continue to be a constructive and pragmatic contributor to efforts to reform WHO and the global health mechanisms .
“ Preventing and responding to global health challenges requires collaboration , transparency and engagement from all states.
” Mr Trump has long questioned the value of the United Nations and scorned the importance of multilateralism as he focuses on an “ America First ” agenda .
Since taking office , he has quit the UN Human Rights Council , the UN cultural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tackle climate change and the Iran nuclear deal .
The World Health Organization is a UN specialised agency — an independent international body that works with the United Nations .
Tensions over Hong Kong have been increasing over the past year as China cracks down on protesters .
During the Friday briefing , Mr Trump ordered his administration to begin the process of eliminating special US treatment for Hong Kong to punish China , but stopped short of calling an immediate end to privileges that have helped the territory remain a global financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Mr Trump used some of his toughest rhetoric yet against China , saying Beijing had broken its word over Hong Kong ’ s autonomy by moving to impose new national security legislation and the territory no longer warranted US economic privileges .
Tensions over Hong Kong have been increasing over the past year as China has cracked down on protesters and sought to exert more control over the former British territory .
Mr Trump said his announcement would “ affect the full range of agreements we have with Hong Kong ” , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on dual-use technologies and more “ with few exceptions ” .
“ China has replaced its promised formula of one country , two systems , with one country , one system , ” he said , calling it a tragedy for the people of Hong Kong .
“ Our actions will be strong , our actions will be meaningful.
” It is not yet clear what impact the decision will have on US companies that operate in Hong Kong or on the city ’ s position as Asia ’ s major financial hub @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the decision .
Mr Trump said allowing the students entry would be “ detrimental to the interests of the United States ” .
The President also said the US would be suspending entry of Chinese graduate students who are suspected of taking part in an extensive government campaign to acquire trade knowledge and academic research for the country ’ s military and industrial development .
Allowing their continued entry to the country would be “ detrimental to the interests of the United States ” , Mr Trump said in an order released after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ including a current US official , said the move could affect 3,000 to 5,000 Chinese graduate students .
The order issued by the President included an exemption for students whose work was not expected to benefit the Chinese military .
China seemed to signal in recent days that it was hoping to ease tensions .
Premier Li Keqiang told reporters on Thursday that both countries stood to gain from cooperation , and to lose from confrontation , because their economies had become so interconnected .
“ We must use our wisdom to expand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Mr Li said .
China has insisted that its control of Hong Kong is an internal matter and it has disputed that it mishandled the response to the virus .

By abc.net.au
US President Donald Trump says he is “terminating” the relationship between the United States and the World Health Organization (WHO), which he says is heavily influenced by China.
Key points: In a letter, Mr Trump had given the WHO 30 days to commit to reforms
letter, Mr Trump had given the WHO 30 days to commit to reforms He says the US will redirect WHO funding to “global public health needs”
Since taking office, Mr Trump has withdrawn the US from numerous international bodies
In a briefing, Mr Trump also said the US was ending Hong Kong’s special trade status and suspending the visas of thousands of Chinese graduate students — escalating tensions with China that have surged during the coronavirus pandemic.
Mr Trump has been expressing anger at the WHO for weeks over what he has portrayed as an inadequate response to the initial outbreak of the coronavirus in China’s Wuhan province late last year, which has since killed more than 100,000 Americans.
Speaking from the Rose Garden of the White House on Friday, Mr Trump said Chinese officials “ignored” their reporting obligations to the WHO and pressured them into misleading the world when the virus was first discovered.
Mr Trump said the WHO had failed to make reforms to the organisation that the President had demanded in a May 18 letter to WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
That letter had given the WHO 30 days to commit to reforms, but Mr Trump’s action came after just 11 days.
“We have detailed the reforms that it must make and engaged with them directly, but they have refused to act,” Mr Trump said.
“Because they have failed to make the requested and greatly needed reforms, we will be today terminating the relationship.”
Trump says China has ‘total control’ over WHO
COVID-19 has claimed the lives of more than 100,000 Americans. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Mr Trump has repeatedly threatened to eliminate American funding for the group — which amounts to hundreds of millions of dollars a year — and blamed China for the spread of the coronavirus and the economic impact it has had on the global economy.