southfront--2020-09-22--China’s HQ-22 Medium-Long Range Surface-To-Air Missile System

The HQ-22 Medium-Long Range Surface to Air Missile Battery is a defense system indigenously made by China .
It was first revealed in 2014 in a downgraded form and was known as the FK-3 .
The FK-3 is also its export designation .
Similarly to the practice of the US and others , an export version is a slightly worse-off version of the main system .
As such , the HQ-22 is seen as an “ upgraded version ” of the FK-3 .
The HQ-22 was first publicly revealed in 2016 and entered service in 2017 .
So far it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ air defense missile systems .
It replaced the aging HQ-2 air defense system .
The HQ-22 is an all-weather medium-long range air defense weapon system .
The surface-to-air missile weapon system can attack 3rd generation fighters , armed helicopter and medium and high UAV and other aerodynamic targets .
It has sufficient protection against interference , and it can be used in mobile operations .
It is relatively cheaper to produce than the HQ-9 and now forms one of the mainstays of China ’ s air defense system , replacing the Cold-War era @ @ @ @ @ @ @ airspace ranges up to 150-170 km at an altitude from 50 to 27,000m with super adaptive anti-jamming capacity with several anti-jamming measures .
The FK-3 is capable of intercepting various targets like fixed-wing aircraft ( including UAV ) , cruise missiles , tactical air-to-surface missiles , armed helicopters and more .
It ’ s killing zone sits at a slant range of 5km-100km and an altitude of 0.05km-27km .
In June 2020 , the Thailand Navy commissioned a FK-3 defense system , received a few months earlier from China .
The conclusion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ FK-3 air defense system for the Thai Navy was not publicly reported , but it is known that in June 2019 , the Thai Navy ’ s procurement department issued tender documents for the acquisition of a medium-range ground-based air defense system , with a maximum price of 1.97 billion baht ( $ 63.983 million ) .
It is unclear how many systems were ordered .
A new customer for the FK-3 defense system is Serbia , which announced that it had ordered a battery in August 2020 .
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The HQ-22 Medium-Long Range Surface to Air Missile Battery is a defense system indigenously made by China.
It was first revealed in 2014 in a downgraded form and was known as the FK-3.
The FK-3 is also its export designation. Similarly to the practice of the US and others, an export version is a slightly worse-off version of the main system.
As such, the HQ-22 is seen as an “upgraded version” of the FK-3.
The HQ-22 was first publicly revealed in 2016 and entered service in 2017.
So far it is one of the most capable Chinese air defense missile systems. It replaced the aging HQ-2 air defense system.
The HQ-22 is an all-weather medium-long range air defense weapon system.
The surface-to-air missile weapon system can attack 3rd generation fighters, armed helicopter and medium and high UAV and other aerodynamic targets.
It has sufficient protection against interference, and it can be used in mobile operations.
It is relatively cheaper to produce than the HQ-9 and now forms one of the mainstays of China’s air defense system, replacing the Cold-War era HQ-2.
It features command guidance and semi active radar homing guidance.
The HQ-22 has large kill airspace ranges up to 150-170 km at an altitude from 50 to 27,000m with super adaptive anti-jamming capacity with several anti-jamming measures.
The FK-3 is capable of intercepting various targets like fixed-wing aircraft (including UAV), cruise missiles, tactical air-to-surface missiles, armed helicopters and more.
It’s killing zone sits at a slant range of 5km-100km and an altitude of 0.05km-27km.
In June 2020, the Thailand Navy commissioned a FK-3 defense system, received a few months earlier from China.
The conclusion of a contract for the purchase of the FK-3 air defense system for the Thai Navy was not publicly reported, but it is known that in June 2019, the Thai Navy’s procurement department issued tender documents for the acquisition of a medium-range ground-based air defense system, with a maximum price of 1.97 billion baht ($63.983 million).
It is unclear how many systems were ordered.
A new customer for the FK-3 defense system is Serbia, which announced that it had ordered a battery in August 2020.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Turkish-backed Syrian Militants Prepare To Participate In Azerbaijani-Armenian Conflict

1,000 fighters of the so-called Syrian National Army , a coalition of Turkish-funded militant groups , will be moved to Azerbaijan in September as a part of a 6-month long deployment , Syrian pro-militant media reported .
According to reports , Turkish proxies will pass additional training and may even be deployed along the contact line with Armenian forces near the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region .
During the Azerbaijani-Armenian escalation in July , reports already surfaced that Turkey was deploying its Syrian proxies to support Azerbaijani forces in their standoff against Armenia .
Then , Syrian sources also reported about @ @ @ @ @ @ @ militants .
The monthly salary of one Turkish mercenary in the combat zone was reported to be 2,500 USD .
Local activists even claimed that Turkish intelligence was in talks with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay ’ at Tahrir al-Sham to recruit a 300-man strong special forces unit that would be deployed in Azerbaijan carry out special operations on the border with Armenia .
Turkey is a long-term strategic ally of Azerbaijan and its leadership has repeatedly declared its readiness to support Baku by all kinds of measures , including military ones , in the event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Nonetheless , the July clashes ended without turning into a new regional war and Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities rushed to denounce reports about the potential usage of Syrian militants against Armenia as fake news .
Turkey has already been actively using its Syrian proxies , often linked with al-Qaeda , in Middle East conflicts .
In particular , thousands Syrian militants were sent to Libya to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord .
Therefore , the deployment of pro-Turkish militant groups in Azerbaijan is not so unlikely a scenario as Ankara @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greater Idlib , the Russian Aerospace Forces continue their airstrike diplomacy pounding Turkish-funded terrorists across the region .
On September 20 and September 21 , this diplomatic campaign was also supported by the Syrian Army that struck terrorist positions in northern Lattakia and south of the M4 highway in southern Idlib .
The US-led coalition and affiliated organizations have been increasing their business activities connected with the seized Syrian oil infrastructure .
According to Syrian state media , just on September 20 , at least 30 tanker trucks filled with oil from the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ area on the border with Iraq .
The development of the seized oil reserves and export of the extracted oil is being conducted by the US company Delta Crescent Energy .
The company operates in coordination with US-backed Kurdish armed groups , which are currently known under the brand of the Syrian Democratic Forces ( SDF ) .
In public statements , the SDF leadership often uses loud words about patriotism and the need to serve to interests of the Syrian people .
However , in practice , the patriotic intentions of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things like the looting of Syrian oil resources in coordination with the Washington establishment .

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1,000 fighters of the so-called Syrian National Army, a coalition of Turkish-funded militant groups, will be moved to Azerbaijan in September as a part of a 6-month long deployment, Syrian pro-militant media reported. According to reports, Turkish proxies will pass additional training and may even be deployed along the contact line with Armenian forces near the disputed Nagorno Karabakh region.
During the Azerbaijani-Armenian escalation in July, reports already surfaced that Turkey was deploying its Syrian proxies to support Azerbaijani forces in their standoff against Armenia. Then, Syrian sources also reported about a potential 6-month long contract for Turkish-funded militants. The monthly salary of one Turkish mercenary in the combat zone was reported to be 2,500 USD.
Local activists even claimed that Turkish intelligence was in talks with al-Qaeda-affiliated Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham to recruit a 300-man strong special forces unit that would be deployed in Azerbaijan carry out special operations on the border with Armenia.
Turkey is a long-term strategic ally of Azerbaijan and its leadership has repeatedly declared its readiness to support Baku by all kinds of measures, including military ones, in the event of a full-scale escalation in the region. Nonetheless, the July clashes ended without turning into a new regional war and Turkish and Azerbaijani authorities rushed to denounce reports about the potential usage of Syrian militants against Armenia as fake news.
Turkey has already been actively using its Syrian proxies, often linked with al-Qaeda, in Middle East conflicts. In particular, thousands Syrian militants were sent to Libya to support the Tripoli-based Government of National Accord. Therefore, the deployment of pro-Turkish militant groups in Azerbaijan is not so unlikely a scenario as Ankara and Baku prefer to claim.
In Greater Idlib, the Russian Aerospace Forces continue their airstrike diplomacy pounding Turkish-funded terrorists across the region. On September 20 and September 21, this diplomatic campaign was also supported by the Syrian Army that struck terrorist positions in northern Lattakia and south of the M4 highway in southern Idlib.
The US-led coalition and affiliated organizations have been increasing their business activities connected with the seized Syrian oil infrastructure. According to Syrian state media, just on September 20, at least 30 tanker trucks filled with oil from the US-controlled fields left Syria through the al-Walid area on the border with Iraq. The development of the seized oil reserves and export of the extracted oil is being conducted by the US company Delta Crescent Energy. The company operates in coordination with US-backed Kurdish armed groups, which are currently known under the brand of the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF).
In public statements, the SDF leadership often uses loud words about patriotism and the need to serve to interests of the Syrian people. However, in practice, the patriotic intentions of the Kurdish leaders are limited to more practical things like the looting of Syrian oil resources in coordination with the Washington establishment.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Military Situation In Palestine On September 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Palestine : • Incendiary balloons were @ @ @ @ @ Sderot ; • Al-Qassam Brigade announced the death of one of its members in the @ @ @ @ @ ; • Hamas fired the 7th test rocket towards the sea over the last 8 @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC : • Yemeni Houthis Vow To Fight Israeli Plots As Netanyahu Signs Historic Deal @ @ @ @ @ Rockets Launched From Gaza Strip As Netanyahu Signs Peace Deals With UAE , Bahrain In @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Palestine:
Incendiary balloons were launched towards the town of Sderot;
Al-Qassam Brigade announced the death of one of its members in the tunnel collapse in northern Gaza;
Hamas fired the 7th test rocket towards the sea over the last 8 days.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Military Situation In Yemen On September 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen : • The Liaison and @ @ @ @ @ ( loyal to Ansar Allah ) reported 97 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past @ @ @ @ @ Allah captured the Mathrah area in the Rahbah district from the Saudi-led forces ; • @ @ @ @ @ Saudi-led forces continue in the Alam front .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Wave @ @ @ @ @ Targeted Killings In Yemen • Military Situation In Marib Province In Yemen On September 19 @ @ @ @ @ )

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Yemen:
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Saadah province;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Hajjah area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 6 airstrikes on the Majzar area;
Saudi-led coalition warplanes conducted 2 airstrikes on the Madghal district;
The Liaison and Coordination Officers’ Operations Room (loyal to Ansar Allah) reported 97 ceasefire violations in al-Hudaydah over the past 24 hours;
Ansar Allah captured the Mathrah area in the Rahbah district from the Saudi-led forces;
Clashes between Ansar Allah and Saudi-led forces continue in the Alam front.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Poland, Lithuania And Romania Sign Open Letter Calling For New Elections And Market Liberalization I

Poland, Lithuania And Romania Sign Open Letter Calling For New Elections And Market Liberalization In Belarus

As the Western campaign to force regime change on Belarus falters , politicians are altering their strategy and offering inducements to citizens of the strategically located country .
The presidents of Lithuania , Poland and Romania have announced that they will ask European Union leaders at a summit later this week to offer a support package for Belarus if the country holds another election under the supervision of observors from the EU and the US .
The presidents of Poland , Lithuania and Romania signed an open letter which they released on Monday , reiterating their support for the “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ path , via democratically elected state leadership , a free civil society , market economy and the rule of law ” .
The proposed package would include favourable trade conditions with the EU , visa-free travel and support in negotiations to join the World Trade Organization , according to a statement from the three presidents to the EU .
While Poland and Lithuania have long been vocal and enthusiastic supporters of pro-West and anti-Russia ( and now anti-Belarus ) campaigns and initiatives , this is the first time Romania ’ s political leadership @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
LINK It seems that economic regime change is just as important as political regime change , as the statement also calls for financial assistance to be offered for economic reforms , and to diversify the energy sector and transition towards a liberal economy according to media reports .
The people of Belarus might not find the offer very appealing if they examine the results of such reforms in Ukraine and other central and eastern European countries .
Moreover , the support would only be offered after “ new , democratic elections ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Lithuanian president ’ s office told Reuters .
Last week Poland ’ s prime minister , Mateusz Morawiecki , said Poland wants the European Union to offer Belarus financial assistance of at least 1 billion euros ( $ 1.18 billion ) as part of a ‘ Marshal plan ’ to rebuild the country .
Belarus has been at the centre of international and domestic intrigues following a presidential election last month that President Alexander Lukashenko claims to have won by a landslide , while the opposition says the electoral process was rigged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaigns and hosting military exercises , and Belarus has responded with similar measures .
The EU has said it intends to impose sanctions on Minsk for alleged election fraud and human rights abuses but has not yet done so .
EU political leaders will likely discuss the matter when they meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss the single market , industrial policy and digital transformation , the coronavirus pandemic , and foreign relations .
LINK MORE ON THE TOPIC : • US strategic bombers trained for strikes on Russia

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As the Western campaign to force regime change on Belarus falters, politicians are altering their strategy and offering inducements to citizens of the strategically located country. The presidents of Lithuania, Poland and Romania have announced that they will ask European Union leaders at a summit later this week to offer a support package for Belarus if the country holds another election under the supervision of observors from the EU and the US.
The presidents of Poland, Lithuania and Romania signed an open letter which they released on Monday, reiterating their support for the “people of Belarus in building a democratic path, via democratically elected state leadership, a free civil society, market economy and the rule of law”.
The proposed package would include favourable trade conditions with the EU, visa-free travel and support in negotiations to join the World Trade Organization, according to a statement from the three presidents to the EU.
While Poland and Lithuania have long been vocal and enthusiastic supporters of pro-West and anti-Russia (and now anti-Belarus) campaigns and initiatives, this is the first time Romania’s political leadership has added its voice to the chorus. LINK
It seems that economic regime change is just as important as political regime change, as the statement also calls for financial assistance to be offered for economic reforms, and to diversify the energy sector and transition towards a liberal economy according to media reports.
The people of Belarus might not find the offer very appealing if they examine the results of such reforms in Ukraine and other central and eastern European countries.
Moreover, the support would only be offered after “new, democratic elections” with international observers in the country, the Lithuanian president’s office told Reuters.
“If Belarus citizens decide to undergo political and economic reforms in the country, to establish independent institutions to defend human rights and freedom of speech – we will help with our knowledge and experience”, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said in a statement.
Last week Poland’s prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, said Poland wants the European Union to offer Belarus financial assistance of at least 1 billion euros ($1.18 billion) as part of a ‘Marshal plan’ to rebuild the country.
Belarus has been at the centre of international and domestic intrigues following a presidential election last month that President Alexander Lukashenko claims to have won by a landslide, while the opposition says the electoral process was rigged. Neighbouring countries have been organising propaganda campaigns and hosting military exercises, and Belarus has responded with similar measures.
The EU has said it intends to impose sanctions on Minsk for alleged election fraud and human rights abuses but has not yet done so.
EU political leaders will likely discuss the matter when they meet in Brussels on Thursday and Friday to discuss the single market, industrial policy and digital transformation, the coronavirus pandemic, and foreign relations. LINK
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southfront--2020-09-22--Military Situation In Iraq On September 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq : • 3 rockets landed @ @ @ @ @ of Baghdad ; • An IED attack targeted a US Army logical convoy near Dujail @ @ @ @ @ Iraqi Army operation against ISIS elements continues in the Kanus island ; • The Iraqi @ @ @ @ @ Units ( PMU ) are carrying out a joint operations in the border areas south @ @ @ @ @ THE TOPIC : • Iran Allegedly Plotting To Assassinate U.S .
Ambassador To South Africa @ @ @ @ @

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Iraq:
3 rockets landed in the Green Zone area of Baghdad;
An IED attack targeted a US Army logical convoy near Dujail in Saladdin province;
Iraqi security forces arrested 3 ISIS members near the Qaem area;
Iraqi Army operation against ISIS elements continues in the Kanus island;
The Iraqi Army and the Popular Mobilization Units (PMU) are carrying out a joint operations in the border areas south of Qaem.
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southfront--2020-09-22--US Declares It Is Forming A Coalition To Block Nord Stream 2

According to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo , Washington is forming a coalition to prevent the completion of Nord Stream 2 .
The US is frenetically campaigning for European countries to impose additional sanctions on Russia and stop the gas pipeline project , just days before European Union political leaders are due to meet for a major summit .
Apart from long running claims that the Nord Stream 2 project poses a threat to Europe ’ s energy security , Pompeo is citing the alleged Navalny poisoning as another reason to impose sanctions on Russia and halt construction of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been completed .
Some Western governments and media outlets are claiming that the Russian government has used Novichok , a toxic nerve agent , to poison political opposition personality Alexei Navalny , following on from earlier accusations that another critic of the Russian government , Sergei Skripal , was also poisoned .
Both survived the alleged assassination attempts .
An investigation of the alleged poisoning has barely begun and the claims of those involved have changed several times as they try to construct a credible narrative .
Meanwhile , Western media outlets continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian agents .
On 20 September an article at Modern Diplomacy stated : However , another article at the same outlet notes some of the numerous anomalies in the evolving narrative , concluding : Many Russian media outlets , in particular the independent newspaper Kommersant , give an almost minute-by-minute chronology of what happened after the plane with Navalny on board was landed at the Omsk airport .
The public figure was promptly taken to the toxicology department of the local hospital and his treatment and examination began .
Tellingly , literally within @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Navalny ’ s relatives and supporters , he was allowed to be taken to Germany for treatment .
In a pandemic , urgent approval of such a procedure seems almost unrealistic , of course , the permission had to be agreed at the very top .
However , the next morning , a German resuscitation plane , paid for by the Cinema for Peace Foundation , landed at the Omsk airport to take Navalny away a day later .
At the same time , many questions arose about the efficiency of German doctors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ upon arrival in Omsk , they refused to go to the hospital to examine the patient , and instead went to rest at the hotel ?
Only four hours after their arrival , they agreed to the offer of their Russian colleagues to conduct a joint inspection , and then returned to the hotel , because they agreed that it was inexpedient to transport Mr. Navalny .
As a result , transportation was postponed for almost a day , including due to the requirements of the German trade unions for pilots to rest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readiness to speed up the flight .
It turns out that almost 20 hours passed between the time the brigade arrived in Omsk and the time it flew to Germany with Navalny… Considering the history of the Skripal poisoning and the general course towards tightening the sanctions belt around Russia , it seems that the Kremlin has fallen into a kind of trap .
Leaving Navalny in Russia would mean getting charged with concealing information about his poisoning .
Letting him to go in Germany means that Moscow is unable to fully receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ poisoning .
What can the long silence of German doctors mean ?
Is the examination difficult or they are waiting for instructions on the final diagnosis ?
One thing is clear , no matter how the situation turned alive and well , Navalny was much less dangerous to the Kremlin than lying in a coma and repeating the fate of Litvinenko and Skripal .
And Moscow could not fail to understand this .
LINK Initially , Navalny claimed he had been poisoned after drinking a cup of tea at the airport .
But @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was poisoned by a water bottle from his hotel room .
LINK Late last week the European Parliament passed a resolution requesting an international probe into the Navalny incident .
The political manoeuvre followed comments by the EU ’ s top diplomat , Josep Borrell , who supported calls for the imposition of a new set of sanctions on Russia .
The campaign for additional sanctions against Russia before any actual investigation has been completed into the poisoning claims , much less an investigation of who might have been the perpetrators , clearly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ establishing the truth but is instead seeking a pretext to further damage relations between Europe and Russia , Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said .
The resolution passed on Thursday called on European Union member states to “ continue to isolate Russia in international forums , ” encouraging the European Council “ to prioritize the approval of the EU Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions ” against what it called “ the Russian regime.
” 532 MEPs voted for the resolution , 84 were against and 72 abstained .
A total of 688 out of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the voting .
The resolution is advisory in nature and not legally binding , intended to provide policy recommendations for EU governments .
In addition to damaging Europe-Russia relations generally , it now appears that the main objective of the allegations surrounding the incident is to use it as a pretext to block the completion and commissioning of the Nord Stream II gas pipeline , as the European Parliament resolution also reiterated its “ previous position to halt the Nord Stream 2 project.
” LINK Although Germany is resisting demands that it cancel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ orchestrated a campaign against the project ’ s completion for several years and imposing increasingly onerous punitive measures against companies involved in the project .
In an interview early this week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo again urged European countries to impose additional sanctions on Russia , and commented that the US is trying to form a coalition of countries to coordinate the punitive measures .
The United States imposed sanctions against the project in December 2019 , demanding that all companies involved in the project stop construction immediately .
The sanctions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview with Bild , Pompeo repeated Washington ’ s claims that the gas pipeline creates economic and security risks for Europe , as it becomes dependent on Russian gas , as well as threatening Ukraine , and further asserted that this “ deeply worries many Germans.
” Russian energy giant Gazprom is the sole shareholder of Nord Stream 2 AG .
European partners-Royal Dutch Shell , OMV , Engie , Uniper , and Wintershall-collectively are financing 50 % of the project .
Several European countries have also been opposed to the project @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its collaborators in the campaign to block Nord Stream II ( and instead supply Europe with much more expensive gas from the US ) have also been recruiting support from opposition groups in countries that have not joined their campaign .
The supposedly isolated events and incidents are converging just as EU leaders are due to hold a summit on 24-25 September which could be crucial to the prospects of the Nord Stream 2 project in the immediate future .
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According to US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, Washington is forming a coalition to prevent the completion of Nord Stream 2. The US is frenetically campaigning for European countries to impose additional sanctions on Russia and stop the gas pipeline project, just days before European Union political leaders are due to meet for a major summit.
Apart from long running claims that the Nord Stream 2 project poses a threat to Europe’s energy security, Pompeo is citing the alleged Navalny poisoning as another reason to impose sanctions on Russia and halt construction of the gas pipeline, which has almost been completed.
Some Western governments and media outlets are claiming that the Russian government has used Novichok, a toxic nerve agent, to poison political opposition personality Alexei Navalny, following on from earlier accusations that another critic of the Russian government, Sergei Skripal, was also poisoned.
Both survived the alleged assassination attempts. An investigation of the alleged poisoning has barely begun and the claims of those involved have changed several times as they try to construct a credible narrative. Meanwhile, Western media outlets continue to allege that he was poisoned by Russian agents. On 20 September an article at Modern Diplomacy stated:
As expected, Alexei Navalny’s case is seriously tearing apart relationship between European Union and Russian Federation. The alleged “poisoning” of the opposition leader Alexei Navalny, on August 20 in Tomsk (Siberia), has similarities to the murder of former Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko, and that of Sergei Skripal, a former Russian military officer and double agent for the UK’s intelligence services, and his daughter, Yulia Skripal, in the city of Salisbury, England. LINK
However, another article at the same outlet notes some of the numerous anomalies in the evolving narrative, concluding:
Many Russian media outlets, in particular the independent newspaper Kommersant, give an almost minute-by-minute chronology of what happened after the plane with Navalny on board was landed at the Omsk airport. The public figure was promptly taken to the toxicology department of the local hospital and his treatment and examination began. Tellingly, literally within 24 hours, at the request of Navalny’s relatives and supporters, he was allowed to be taken to Germany for treatment. In a pandemic, urgent approval of such a procedure seems almost unrealistic, of course, the permission had to be agreed at the very top. However, the next morning, a German resuscitation plane, paid for by the Cinema for Peace Foundation, landed at the Omsk airport to take Navalny away a day later. At the same time, many questions arose about the efficiency of German doctors. So, according to Kommersant, upon arrival in Omsk, they refused to go to the hospital to examine the patient, and instead went to rest at the hotel? Only four hours after their arrival, they agreed to the offer of their Russian colleagues to conduct a joint inspection, and then returned to the hotel, because they agreed that it was inexpedient to transport Mr. Navalny. As a result, transportation was postponed for almost a day, including due to the requirements of the German trade unions for pilots to rest, although the Russian side expressed its readiness to speed up the flight. It turns out that almost 20 hours passed between the time the brigade arrived in Omsk and the time it flew to Germany with Navalny… Considering the history of the Skripal poisoning and the general course towards tightening the sanctions belt around Russia, it seems that the Kremlin has fallen into a kind of trap. Leaving Navalny in Russia would mean getting charged with concealing information about his poisoning. Letting him to go in Germany means that Moscow is unable to fully receive information about research into the causes of poisoning. What can the long silence of German doctors mean? Is the examination difficult or they are waiting for instructions on the final diagnosis? One thing is clear, no matter how the situation turned alive and well, Navalny was much less dangerous to the Kremlin than lying in a coma and repeating the fate of Litvinenko and Skripal. And Moscow could not fail to understand this. LINK
Initially, Navalny claimed he had been poisoned after drinking a cup of tea at the airport. But now it’s claimed that he was poisoned by a water bottle from his hotel room. LINK
Late last week the European Parliament passed a resolution requesting an international probe into the Navalny incident. The political manoeuvre followed comments by the EU’s top diplomat, Josep Borrell, who supported calls for the imposition of a new set of sanctions on Russia.
The campaign for additional sanctions against Russia before any actual investigation has been completed into the poisoning claims, much less an investigation of who might have been the perpetrators, clearly shows that Brussels is not interested in establishing the truth but is instead seeking a pretext to further damage relations between Europe and Russia, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Russia’s permanent representative to the EU, Aleksey Chizhov, said the resolution appeared to be extremely rushed and contained some elemental factual mistakes. Squarely calling the Navalny affair a “poisoning” shows the EU is trying to blame Russia for the incident instead of finding out what exactly happened, the diplomat said, adding that “Russia will find a way to retaliate if the EU decides to implement sanctions.” LINK
The resolution passed on Thursday called on European Union member states to “continue to isolate Russia in international forums,” encouraging the European Council “to prioritize the approval of the EU Magnitsky-style human rights sanctions” against what it called “the Russian regime.”
532 MEPs voted for the resolution, 84 were against and 72 abstained. A total of 688 out of the registered 705 MEPs took part in the voting. The resolution is advisory in nature and not legally binding, intended to provide policy recommendations for EU governments.
In addition to damaging Europe-Russia relations generally, it now appears that the main objective of the allegations surrounding the incident is to use it as a pretext to block the completion and commissioning of the Nord Stream II gas pipeline, as the European Parliament resolution also reiterated its “previous position to halt the Nord Stream 2 project.” LINK
Although Germany is resisting demands that it cancel the project, the US has been orchestrated a campaign against the project’s completion for several years and imposing increasingly onerous punitive measures against companies involved in the project.
In an interview early this week US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo again urged European countries to impose additional sanctions on Russia, and commented that the US is trying to form a coalition of countries to coordinate the punitive measures. The United States imposed sanctions against the project in December 2019, demanding that all companies involved in the project stop construction immediately. The sanctions were amplified earlier this year.
In an interview with Bild, Pompeo repeated Washington’s claims that the gas pipeline creates economic and security risks for Europe, as it becomes dependent on Russian gas, as well as threatening Ukraine, and further asserted that this “deeply worries many Germans.”
During the interview Pompeo stated: “We hope that the construction of the Nord stream 2 will not be completed, we are working to make sure that a coalition will be created to prevent this. We hope that the German government will come to the same conclusion, because of what happened with Navalny, or because of the real consequences for security, due to dependence on Russian gas.” LINK
Russian energy giant Gazprom is the sole shareholder of Nord Stream 2 AG. European partners-Royal Dutch Shell, OMV, Engie, Uniper, and Wintershall-collectively are financing 50% of the project.
Several European countries have also been opposed to the project for some time:
The U.S., several European countries, including the Baltic states and Poland, as well as the European Union (EU), have expressed concern about Russia using gas sales and its gas monopoly Gazprom as a political tool.
The US and its collaborators in the campaign to block Nord Stream II (and instead supply Europe with much more expensive gas from the US) have also been recruiting support from opposition groups in countries that have not joined their campaign. The supposedly isolated events and incidents are converging just as EU leaders are due to hold a summit on 24-25 September which could be crucial to the prospects of the Nord Stream 2 project in the immediate future.
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southfront--2020-09-22--Military Situation In Syria On September 22, 2020 (Map Update)

Click to see the full-size image A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria : • The Syrian Democratic @ @ @ @ @ repelled the attacks of the Turkish-backed FSA in the Maraanaz area ; • The Turkish @ @ @ @ @ equipment to Greater Idlib through the Kafr Lusin crossing ; • According to Hayat Tahrir @ @ @ @ @ military contractor was killed in the Kafr Nubl area due to explosions of land mines @ @ @ @ @ artillery shelled SDF positions north of the town of Ain Issa ; • Clashes between @ @ @ @ @ ( FSA ) and the SDF were reported in the east of the Ras al-Ain @ @ @ @ @ TOPIC :

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A brief overview of the recent developments in Syria:
The Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) reportedly repelled the attacks of the Turkish-backed FSA in the Maraanaz area;
Turkish-backed militants´artillery shelled Syrian Arab Army (SAA) positions in the Bala village;
The Turkish Army sent a new military equipment to Greater Idlib through the Kafr Lusin crossing;
Turkish-backed militants’ artillery shelled SAA positions in the Kafr Nubl village;
According to Hayat Tahrir al-Sham media, a Russian military contractor was killed in the Kafr Nubl area due to explosions of land mines;
Turkish-backed militants’ artillery shelled SDF positions north of the town of Ain Issa;
Clashes between the Turkish-backed Free Syrian Army (FSA) and the SDF were reported in the east of the Ras al-Ain area.
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southfront--2020-09-23--Dozens Killed In Fierce Battle Between Syrian Army, ISIS Terrorists In Southern Raqqa

A fierce battle between the Syrian Arab Army ( SAA ) and ISIS terrorists has taken place in the southern countryside of Raqqa .
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights , the battle began in the early hours of September 22 .
The terrorist launched a large attack on SAA positions near the town of Resafa .
The SAA repelled the attack following heavy clashes .
Russian warplanes provided Syrian troops with close air support .
Large reinforcements were also brought to the region .
Around 13 Syrian service members and 17 terrorists were reportedly killed in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more than 24 hours .
Earlier this month , ISIS launched a similar attack on SAA positions in Resafa .
Back then , a series of fierce airstrikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces forced the terrorists to retreat .
The terrorists are attacking southern Raqqa from their hideouts in the nearby Homs desert .
Hundreds of ISIS fighters and commanders and taking shelter there .
ISIS terrorists are allegedly receiving support from U.S.-backed fighters in the nearby area of al-Tanaf .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Eliminates Dozens Of PKK Members @ @ @ @ @

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A fierce battle between the Syrian Arab Army (SAA) and ISIS terrorists has taken place in the southern countryside of Raqqa.
According to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the battle began in the early hours of September 22. The terrorist launched a large attack on SAA positions near the town of Resafa.
The SAA repelled the attack following heavy clashes. Russian warplanes provided Syrian troops with close air support. Large reinforcements were also brought to the region.
Around 13 Syrian service members and 17 terrorists were reportedly killed in the clashes, which went on for more than 24 hours.
Earlier this month, ISIS launched a similar attack on SAA positions in Resafa. Back then, a series of fierce airstrikes by the Russian Aerospace Forces forced the terrorists to retreat.
The terrorists are attacking southern Raqqa from their hideouts in the nearby Homs desert. Hundreds of ISIS fighters and commanders and taking shelter there. ISIS terrorists are allegedly receiving support from U.S.-backed fighters in the nearby area of al-Tanaf.
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southfront--2020-09-23--Su-30 Fighter Jet Was Accidentally Shot Down During Drills In Russia

A Russian Su-30 fighter jet that crashed during a training flight in Russia ’ s Tver Region on September 22 , was shot down by accident , Russian state-run news agency TASS reported citing informed sources .
“ Preliminarily , the cause of the emergency is the accidental hit of a shell in the Su-30 during an exercise .
The shot was fired by another aircraft , ” the source said .
The incident did not led to any casualties .
Both pilots safely ejected from the warplane before it crashed .
According to REN TV , the second fighter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Su-35 .
According to the plan , the fighter jet was supposed to make a photo shooting – to photograph the pursued aircraft from the camera after entering the target .
Instead , however , the warplane fired a shot from a cannon .
REN TV says that a possible cause of this could be a technical malfunction .
MORE ON THE TOPIC : • Kavkaz-2020 Kicks Off With Variety Of Drills , Mostly Focused Against All-Domain Invasion • Kavkaz-2020 War Games Begin In Russia Involving 80,000 Troops From China , Pakistan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sign New START Extension , Or Treaty Terms Will Turn Unfavorable For It

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A Russian Su-30 fighter jet that crashed during a training flight in Russia’s Tver Region on September 22, was shot down by accident, Russian state-run news agency TASS reported citing informed sources.
“Preliminarily, the cause of the emergency is the accidental hit of a shell in the Su-30 during an exercise. The shot was fired by another aircraft,” the source said.
The incident did not led to any casualties. Both pilots safely ejected from the warplane before it crashed.
According to REN TV, the second fighter was performing the training flight together with the Su-35. According to the plan, the fighter jet was supposed to make a photo shooting – to photograph the pursued aircraft from the camera after entering the target. Instead, however, the warplane fired a shot from a cannon. REN TV says that a possible cause of this could be a technical malfunction.
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southfront--2020-09-23--Russian, Turkish Forces Held Third Joint Exercise In Syria’s Greater Idlib

The Russian Military Police and the Turkish Armed Forces conducted a new joint exercise in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib , Asharq Al-Awsat reported on September 22 .
Citing reports in the Turkish media , the London-based newspaper said the exercise , which took place on September 21 , was meant to improve coordination between Russian and Turkish troops participating in patrols on the M4 highway .
This was the third such joint exercise .
The first exercise took place in the town of Ternaba on August 31 and September 1 .
The second was held on September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Sergey Lavrov , revealed in a recent interview with al-Arabiya that joint patrols on the M4 had been suspended due to security concerns .
He , however , noted that the joint patrols will be resumed once the situation is calm again .
Lavrov was likely referring to recent attacks on the joint Russian-Turkish patrols .
Several Russian and Turkish soldiers were injured in these attacks .
Turkish forces carried out on September 23 a combing operation on the M4 .
The operation and the new joint exercise indicate that the joint @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resumed soon .
MORE ON THIS TOPIC : • Turkey Eliminates Dozens Of PKK Members In Both Syria And Iraq

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The Russian Military Police and the Turkish Armed Forces conducted a new joint exercise in the northwestern Syrian region of Greater Idlib, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on September 22.
Citing reports in the Turkish media, the London-based newspaper said the exercise, which took place on September 21, was meant to improve coordination between Russian and Turkish troops participating in patrols on the M4 highway.
“The exercise included a training on communicating using specific signals between the soldiers taking part in the patrols, in order to coordinate between them in emergency situations, such as armed attacks on patrols,” the report reads.
This was the third such joint exercise. The first exercise took place in the town of Ternaba on August 31 and September 1. The second was held on September 5.
Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, revealed in a recent interview with al-Arabiya that joint patrols on the M4 had been suspended due to security concerns. He, however, noted that the joint patrols will be resumed once the situation is calm again.
Lavrov was likely referring to recent attacks on the joint Russian-Turkish patrols. Several Russian and Turkish soldiers were injured in these attacks.
Turkish forces carried out on September 23 a combing operation on the M4. The operation and the new joint exercise indicate that the joint Russian-Turkish patrols on the highway will be resumed soon.
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southfront--2020-09-23--“No Medical Justification For Emergency Measures” – Open Letter from Medical Doctors and Health Prof

“No Medical Justification For Emergency Measures” – Open Letter from Medical Doctors and Health Professionals

On September 5 , Docs4opendebate.be published an open letter of Belgian medical doctors and health professionals regarding COVID-19 lockdown measures and their impact on the situation .
So far the letter has been signed by 440 medical doctors , 1,450 medically trained health professionals , and 9,995 citizens .
Open letter from medical doctors and health professionals to all Belgian authorities and all Belgian media We , Belgian doctors and health professionals , wish to express our serious concern about the evolution of the situation in the recent months surrounding the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus .
We call on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the decision-making process and in the compulsory implementation of corona-measures .
We ask for an open debate , where all experts are represented without any form of censorship .
After the initial panic surrounding covid-19 , the objective facts now show a completely different picture – there is no medical justification for any emergency policy anymore .
The current crisis management has become totally disproportionate and causes more damage than it does any good .
We call for an end to all measures and ask for an immediate restoration of our normal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all our civil liberties .
‘ A cure must not be worse than the problem ’ is a thesis that is more relevant than ever in the current situation .
We note , however , that the collateral damage now being caused to the population will have a greater impact in the short and long term on all sections of the population than the number of people now being safeguarded from corona .
In our opinion , the current corona measures and the strict penalties for non-compliance with them are contrary to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Council , which , until recently , as the health authority , has always ensured quality medicine in our country : “ Science – Expertise – Quality – Impartiality – Independence – Transparency ” .
1 We believe that the policy has introduced mandatory measures that are not sufficiently scientifically based , unilaterally directed , and that there is not enough space in the media for an open debate in which different views and opinions are heard .
In addition , each municipality and province now has the authorisation to add its own @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Moreover , the strict repressive policy on corona strongly contrasts with the government ’ s minimal policy when it comes to disease prevention , strengthening our own immune system through a healthy lifestyle , optimal care with attention for the individual and investment in care personnel.2 In 1948 , the WHO defined health as follows : ‘ Health is a state of complete physical , mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or other physical impairment ’ .3 Health , therefore , is a broad concept that goes beyond @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emotional and social well-being of the individual .
Belgium also has a duty , from the point of view of subscribing to fundamental human rights , to include these human rights in its decision-making when it comes to measures taken in the context of public health .
4 The current global measures taken to combat SARS-CoV-2 violate to a large extent this view of health and human rights .
Measures include compulsory wearing of a mask ( also in open air and during sporting activities , and in some municipalities even when there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) , physical distancing , social isolation , compulsory quarantine for some groups and hygiene measures .
The predicted pandemic with millions of deaths At the beginning of the pandemic , the measures were understandable and widely supported , even if there were differences in implementation in the countries around us .
The WHO originally predicted a pandemic that would claim 3.4 % victims , in other words millions of deaths , and a highly contagious virus for which no treatment or vaccine was available .
This would put unprecedented pressure on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our hospitals .
This led to a global alarm situation , never seen in the history of mankind : “ flatten the curve ” was represented by a lockdown that shut down the entire society and economy and quarantined healthy people .
Social distancing became the new normal in anticipation of a rescue vaccine .
Gradually , the alarm bell was sounded from many sources : the objective facts showed a completely different reality .
5 6 The course of covid-19 followed the course of a normal wave of infection similar to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we see a mix of flu viruses following the curve : first the rhinoviruses , then the influenza A and B viruses , followed by the coronaviruses .
There is nothing different from what we normally see .
The use of the non-specific PCR test , which produces many false positives , showed an exponential picture .
This test was rushed through with an emergency procedure and was never seriously self-tested .
The creator expressly warned that this test was intended for research and not for diagnostics.7 The PCR test works with cycles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ piece of genome is amplified each time .
Any contamination ( e.g .
other viruses , debris from old virus genomes ) can possibly result in false positives.8 The test does not measure how many viruses are present in the sample .
A real viral infection means a massive presence of viruses , the so-called virus load .
If someone tests positive , this does not mean that that person is actually clinically infected , is ill or is going to become ill. Koch ’ s postulate was not fulfilled ( “ The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ complaints can provoke the same complaints in a healthy person ” ) .
Since a positive PCR test does not automatically indicate active infection or infectivity , this does not justify the social measures taken , which are based solely on these tests .
9 10 If we compare the waves of infection in countries with strict lockdown policies to countries that did not impose lockdowns ( Sweden , Iceland … ) , we see similar curves .
So there is no link between the imposed lockdown and the course of the infection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lower mortality rate .
If we look at the date of application of the imposed lockdowns we see that the lockdowns were set after the peak was already over and the number of cases decreasing .
The drop was therefore not the result of the taken measures .
11 As every year , it seems that climatic conditions ( weather , temperature and humidity ) and growing immunity are more likely to reduce the wave of infection .
For thousands of years , the human body has been exposed daily to moisture and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bacteria and fungi ) .
The penetration of these microorganisms is prevented by an advanced defence mechanism – the immune system .
A strong immune system relies on normal daily exposure to these microbial influences .
Overly hygienic measures have a detrimental effect on our immunity .
12 13 Only people with a weak or faulty immune system should be protected by extensive hygiene or social distancing .
Influenza will re-emerge in the autumn ( in combination with covid-19 ) and a possible decrease in natural resilience may lead to further casualties .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ : a congenital , non-specific immune system and an adaptive immune system .
The non-specific immune system forms a first barrier : skin , saliva , gastric juice , intestinal mucus , vibratory hair cells , commensal flora , … and prevents the attachment of micro-organisms to tissue .
If they do attach , macrophages can cause the microorganisms to be encapsulated and destroyed .
The adaptive immune system consists of mucosal immunity ( IgA antibodies , mainly produced by cells in the intestines and lung epithelium ) , cellular immunity ( T-cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in contact with foreign substances or microorganisms , and humoral immunity ( IgM and IgG antibodies produced by the B cells ) .
Recent research shows that both systems are highly entangled .
It appears that most people already have a congenital or general immunity to e.g .
influenza and other viruses .
This is confirmed by the findings on the cruise ship Diamond Princess , which was quarantined because of a few passengers who died of Covid-19 .
Most of the passengers were elderly and were in an ideal situation of transmission @ @ @ @ @ @ @ % did not appear to be infected .
So even in this high-risk group , the majority are resistant to the virus .
A study in the journal Cell shows that most people neutralise the coronavirus by mucosal ( IgA ) and cellular immunity ( T-cells ) , while experiencing few or no symptoms 14 .
Researchers found up to 60 % SARS-Cov-2 reactivity with CD4+T cells in a non-infected population , suggesting cross-reactivity with other cold ( corona ) viruses.15 Most people therefore already have a congenital or cross-immunity because they were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ same virus .
The antibody formation ( IgM and IgG ) by B-cells only occupies a relatively small part of our immune system .
This may explain why , with an antibody percentage of 5-10 % , there may be a group immunity anyway .
The efficacy of vaccines is assessed precisely on the basis of whether or not we have these antibodies .
This is a misrepresentation .
Most people who test positive ( PCR ) have no complaints .
Their immune system is strong enough .
Strengthening natural immunity is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an important , insufficiently highlighted pillar : healthy , full-fledged nutrition , exercise in fresh air , without a mask , stress reduction and nourishing emotional and social contacts .
Consequences of social isolation on physical and mental health Social isolation and economic damage led to an increase in depression , anxiety , suicides , intra-family violence and child abuse.16 Studies have shown that the more social and emotional commitments people have , the more resistant they are to viruses .
It is much more likely that isolation and quarantine have fatal consequences @ @ @ @ @ @ @ led to physical inactivity in many older people due to their being forced to stay indoors .
However , sufficient exercise has a positive effect on cognitive functioning , reducing depressive complaints and anxiety and improving physical health , energy levels , well-being and , in general , quality of life.18 Fear , persistent stress and loneliness induced by social distancing have a proven negative influence on psychological and general health .
19 A highly contagious virus with millions of deaths without any treatment ?
Mortality turned out to be many times lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a normal seasonal flu ( 0.2 % ) .20 The number of registered corona deaths therefore still seems to be overestimated .
There is a difference between death by corona and death with corona .
Humans are often carriers of multiple viruses and potentially pathogenic bacteria at the same time .
Taking into account the fact that most people who developed serious symptoms suffered from additional pathology , one can not simply conclude that the corona-infection was the cause of death .
This was mostly not taken into account in the statistics .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ identified .
The vast majority of deceased patients were 80 years of age or older .
The majority ( 70 % ) of the deceased , younger than 70 years , had an underlying disorder , such as cardiovascular suffering , diabetes mellitus , chronic lung disease or obesity .
The vast majority of infected persons ( > 98 % ) did not or hardly became ill or recovered spontaneously .
Meanwhile , there is an affordable , safe and efficient therapy available for those who do show severe symptoms of disease in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , zinc and AZT ( azithromycin ) .
Rapidly applied this therapy leads to recovery and often prevents hospitalisation .
Hardly anyone has to die now .
This effective therapy has been confirmed by the clinical experience of colleagues in the field with impressive results .
This contrasts sharply with the theoretical criticism ( insufficient substantiation by double-blind studies ) which in some countries ( e.g .
the Netherlands ) has even led to a ban on this therapy .
A meta-analysis in The Lancet , which could not demonstrate an effect of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data sources used proved to be unreliable and 2 out of 3 authors were in conflict of interest .
However , most of the guidelines based on this study remained unchanged … 48 49 We have serious questions about this state of affairs .
In the US , a group of doctors in the field , who see patients on a daily basis , united in “ America ’ s Frontline Doctors ” and gave a press conference which has been watched millions of times.21 51 French Prof Didier Raoult of the Institut @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ) also presented this promising combination therapy as early as April .
Dutch GP Rob Elens , who cured many patients in his practice with HCQ and zinc , called on colleagues in a petition for freedom of therapy.22 The definitive evidence comes from the epidemiological follow-up in Switzerland : mortality rates compared with and without this therapy.23 From the distressing media images of ARDS ( acute respiratory distress syndrome ) where people were suffocating and given artificial respiration in agony , we now know that this was caused by an exaggerated immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blood vessels .
The administration of blood thinners and dexamethasone and the avoidance of artificial ventilation , which was found to cause additional damage to lung tissue , means that this dreaded complication , too , is virtually not fatal anymore .
47 It is therefore not a killer virus , but a well-treatable condition .
Spreading occurs by drip infection ( only for patients who cough or sneeze ) and aerosols in closed , unventilated rooms .
Contamination is therefore not possible in the open air .
Contact tracing and epidemiological studies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tested asymptomatic carriers ) are virtually unable to transmit the virus .
Healthy people therefore do not put each other at risk .
24 25 Transfer via objects ( e.g .
money , shopping or shopping trolleys ) has not been scientifically proven.26 27 28 All this seriously calls into question the whole policy of social distancing and compulsory mouth masks for healthy people – there is no scientific basis for this .
Oral masks belong in contexts where contacts with proven at-risk groups or people with upper respiratory complaints take place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
They reduce the risk of droplet infection by sneezing or coughing .
Oral masks in healthy individuals are ineffective against the spread of viral infections .
29 30 31 Wearing a mask is not without side effects .
32 33 Oxygen deficiency ( headache , nausea , fatigue , loss of concentration ) occurs fairly quickly , an effect similar to altitude sickness .
Every day we now see patients complaining of headaches , sinus problems , respiratory problems and hyperventilation due to wearing masks .
In addition , the accumulated CO2 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organism which affects our immunity .
Some experts even warn of an increased transmission of the virus in case of inappropriate use of the mask.34 Our Labour Code ( Codex 6 ) refers to a CO2 content ( ventilation in workplaces ) of 900 ppm , maximum 1200 ppm in special circumstances .
After wearing a mask for one minute , this toxic limit is considerably exceeded to values that are three to four times higher than these maximum values .
Anyone who wears a mask is therefore in an extreme poorly ventilated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without a comprehensive medical cardio-pulmonary test file is therefore not recommended by recognised safety specialists for workers .
Hospitals have a sterile environment in their operating rooms where staff wear masks and there is precise regulation of humidity / temperature with appropriately monitored oxygen flow to compensate for this , thus meeting strict safety standards .
36 A second wave is now being discussed in Belgium , with a further tightening of the measures as a result .
However , closer examination of Sciensano ’ s figures ( latest report of 3 September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there has been an increase in the number of infections since mid-July , there was no increase in hospital admissions or deaths at that time .
It is therefore not a second wave of corona , but a so-called “ case chemistry ” due to an increased number of tests .
50 The number of hospital admissions or deaths showed a shortlasting minimal increase in recent weeks , but in interpreting it , we must take into account the recent heatwave .
In addition , the vast majority of the victims are still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
This indicates that the proportion of the measures taken in relation to the working population and young people is disproportionate to the intended objectives .
The vast majority of the positively tested “ infected ” persons are in the age group of the active population , which does not develop any or merely limited symptoms , due to a well-functioning immune system .
So nothing has changed – the peak is over .
The corona measures form a striking contrast to the minimal policy pursued by the government until now , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health benefits such as the sugar tax , the ban on ( e- ) cigarettes and making healthy food , exercise and social support networks financially attractive and widely accessible .
It is a missed opportunity for a better prevention policy that could have brought about a change in mentality in all sections of the population with clear results in terms of public health .
At present , only 3 % of the health care budget goes to prevention .
2 As a doctor , we took the Hippocratic Oath : “ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , promote their health and alleviate their suffering ” .
“ I will inform my patients correctly.
” “ Even under pressure , I will not use my medical knowledge for practices that are against humanity.
” The current measures force us to act against this oath .
The ‘ primum non nocere ’ , which every doctor and health professional assumes , is also undermined by the current measures and by the prospect of the possible introduction of a generalised vaccine , which is not subject to extensive prior testing .
Survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 years we have only succeeded three times in developing a vaccine with an efficiency rate of more than 50 % .
Vaccinating our elderly appears to be inefficient .
Over 75 years of age , the efficacy is almost non-existent.38 Due to the continuous natural mutation of viruses , as we also see every year in the case of the influenza virus , a vaccine is at most a temporary solution , which requires new vaccines each time afterwards .
An untested vaccine , which is implemented by emergency procedure and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ immunity from possible harm , raises serious questions .
39 40 We do not wish to use our patients as guinea pigs .
On a global scale , 700 000 cases of damage or death are expected as a result of the vaccine.41 If 95 % of people experience Covid-19 virtually symptom-free , the risk of exposure to an untested vaccine is irresponsible .
The role of the media and the official communication plan Over the past few months , newspaper , radio and TV makers seemed to stand almost uncritically behind the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there , where it is precisely the press that should be critical and prevent one-sided governmental communication .
This has led to a public communication in our news media , that was more like propaganda than objective reporting .
In our opinion , it is the task of journalism to bring news as objectively and neutrally as possible , aimed at finding the truth and critically controlling power , with dissenting experts also being given a forum in which to express themselves .
This view is supported by the journalistic codes of ethics.42 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ necessary , that this was the only possible solution , and that everyone stood behind this lockdown , made it difficult for people with a different view , as well as experts , to express a different opinion .
Alternative opinions were ignored or ridiculed .
We have not seen open debates in the media , where different views could be expressed .
We were also surprised by the many videos and articles by many scientific experts and authorities , which were and are still being removed from social media .
We feel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a free , democratic constitutional state , all the more so as it leads to tunnel vision .
This policy also has a paralysing effect and feeds fear and concern in society .
In this context , we reject the intention of censorship of dissidents in the European Union !
43 The way in which Covid-19 has been portrayed by politicians and the media has not done the situation any good either .
War terms were popular and warlike language was not lacking .
There has often been mention of a ‘ war @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who has to be ‘ defeated ’ .
The use in the media of phrases such as ‘ care heroes in the front line ’ and ‘ corona victims ’ has further fuelled fear , as has the idea that we are globally dealing with a ‘ killer virus ’ .
The relentless bombardment with figures , that were unleashed on the population day after day , hour after hour , without interpreting those figures , without comparing them to flu deaths in other years , without comparing them to deaths from other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fear in the population .
This is not information , this is manipulation .
We deplore the role of the WHO in this , which has called for the infodemic ( i.e .
all divergent opinions from the official discourse , including by experts with different views ) to be silenced by an unprecedented media censorship.43 44 We urgently call on the media to take their responsibilities here !
We demand an open debate in which all experts are heard .
The general principle of good governance calls for the proportionality of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the light of the Higher Legal Standards : any interference by government must comply with the fundamental rights as protected in the European Convention on Human Rights ( ECHR ) .
Interference by public authorities is only permitted in crisis situations .
In other words , discretionary decisions must be proportionate to an absolute necessity .
The measures currently taken concern interference in the exercise of , among other things , the right to respect of private and family life , freedom of thought , conscience and religion , freedom of expression and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to education , etc.
, and must therefore comply with fundamental rights as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights ( ECHR ) .
For example , in accordance with Article 8 ( 2 ) of the ECHR , interference with the right to private and family life is permissible only if the measures are necessary in the interests of national security , public safety , the economic well-being of the country , the protection of public order and the prevention of criminal offences , the protection of health or the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ others , the regulatory text on which the interference is based must be sufficiently clear , foreseeable and proportionate to the objectives pursued.45 The predicted pandemic of millions of deaths seemed to respond to these crisis conditions , leading to the establishment of an emergency government .
Now that the objective facts show something completely different , the condition of inability to act otherwise ( no time to evaluate thoroughly if there is an emergency ) is no longer in place .
Covid-19 is not a cold virus , but a well treatable @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the seasonal flu .
In other words , there is no longer an insurmountable obstacle to public health .
There is no state of emergency .
An open discussion on corona measures means that , in addition to the years of life gained by corona patients , we must also take into account other factors affecting the health of the entire population .
These include damage in the psychosocial domain ( increase in depression , anxiety , suicides , intra-family violence and child abuse ) 16 and economic damage .
If we take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current policy is out of all proportion , the proverbial use of a sledgehammer to crack a nut .
We find it shocking that the government is invoking health as a reason for the emergency law .
As doctors and health professionals , in the face of a virus which , in terms of its harmfulness , mortality and transmissibility , approaches the seasonal influenza , we can only reject these extremely disproportionate measures .
• We therefore demand an immediate end to all measures .
• We are questioning the legitimacy of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ behind closed doors .
• Following on from ACU 2020 46 https : //acu2020.org/nederlandse-versie/ we call for an in-depth examination of the role of the WHO and the possible influence of conflicts of interest in this organisation .
It was also at the heart of the fight against the “ infodemic ” , i.e .
the systematic censorship of all dissenting opinions in the media .
This is unacceptable for a democratic state governed by the rule of law.43 We would like to make a public appeal to our professional associations and fellow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ current measures .
We draw attention to and call for an open discussion in which carers can and dare to speak out .
With this open letter , we send out the signal that progress on the same footing does more harm than good , and call on politicians to inform themselves independently and critically about the available evidence – including that from experts with different views , as long as it is based on sound science – when rolling out a policy , with the aim of promoting optimum health .
With @ @ @ @ @ @ @ capacity .
• President John Magufuli of Tanzania : “ Even Papaya and Goats are Corona positive ” https : //www.youtube.com/watch ?
v=207HuOxltvI • Open letter by biochemist Drs Mario Ortiz Martinez to the Dutch chamber https : //www.gentechvrij.nl/2020/08/15/foute-interpretatie/ • Lambrecht , B. , Hammad , H. The immunology of the allergy epidemic and the hygiene hypothesis .
Nat Immunol 18 , 1076–1083 ( 2017 ) .
https : //www.nature.com/articles/ni.3829 • Sharvan Sehrawat , Barry T. Rouse , Does the hygiene hypothesis apply to COVID-19 susceptibility ?
, Microbes and Infection , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ • Feys , F. , Brokken , S. , & De Peuter , S. ( 2020 , May 22 ) .
Risk-benefit and cost-utility analysis for COVID-19 lockdown in Belgium : the impact on mental health and wellbeing .
https : //psyarxiv.com/xczb3/ • Haralambieva , I.H .
et al.
, 2015 .
The impact of immunosenescence on humoral immune response variation after influenza A/H1N1 vaccination in older subjects .
https : //pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26044074/ • Disinformation related to COVID-19 approaches European Commission EurLex , juni 2020 ( this file will not damage your computer ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , but a so-called casedemic due to more testing .
https : //www.greenmedinfo.com/blog/crucial-viewing-understanding-covid-19-casedemic1

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On September 5, Docs4opendebate.be published an open letter of Belgian medical doctors and health professionals regarding COVID-19 lockdown measures and their impact on the situation. So far the letter has been signed by 440 medical doctors, 1,450 medically trained health professionals, and 9,995 citizens.
Open letter from medical doctors and health professionals to all Belgian authorities and all Belgian media
We, Belgian doctors and health professionals, wish to express our serious concern about the evolution of the situation in the recent months surrounding the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. We call on politicians to be independently and critically informed in the decision-making process and in the compulsory implementation of corona-measures. We ask for an open debate, where all experts are represented without any form of censorship. After the initial panic surrounding covid-19, the objective facts now show a completely different picture – there is no medical justification for any emergency policy anymore.
The current crisis management has become totally disproportionate and causes more damage than it does any good.
We call for an end to all measures and ask for an immediate restoration of our normal democratic governance and legal structures and of all our civil liberties.
‘A cure must not be worse than the problem’ is a thesis that is more relevant than ever in the current situation. We note, however, that the collateral damage now being caused to the population will have a greater impact in the short and long term on all sections of the population than the number of people now being safeguarded from corona.
In our opinion, the current corona measures and the strict penalties for non-compliance with them are contrary to the values formulated by the Belgian Supreme Health Council, which, until recently, as the health authority, has always ensured quality medicine in our country: “Science – Expertise – Quality – Impartiality – Independence – Transparency”. 1
We believe that the policy has introduced mandatory measures that are not sufficiently scientifically based, unilaterally directed, and that there is not enough space in the media for an open debate in which different views and opinions are heard. In addition, each municipality and province now has the authorisation to add its own measures, whether well-founded or not.
Moreover, the strict repressive policy on corona strongly contrasts with the government’s minimal policy when it comes to disease prevention, strengthening our own immune system through a healthy lifestyle, optimal care with attention for the individual and investment in care personnel.2
The concept of health
In 1948, the WHO defined health as follows: ‘Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or other physical impairment’.3
Health, therefore, is a broad concept that goes beyond the physical and also relates to the emotional and social well-being of the individual. Belgium also has a duty, from the point of view of subscribing to fundamental human rights, to include these human rights in its decision-making when it comes to measures taken in the context of public health. 4
The current global measures taken to combat SARS-CoV-2 violate to a large extent this view of health and human rights. Measures include compulsory wearing of a mask (also in open air and during sporting activities, and in some municipalities even when there are no other people in the vicinity), physical distancing, social isolation, compulsory quarantine for some groups and hygiene measures.
The predicted pandemic with millions of deaths
At the beginning of the pandemic, the measures were understandable and widely supported, even if there were differences in implementation in the countries around us. The WHO originally predicted a pandemic that would claim 3.4% victims, in other words millions of deaths, and a highly contagious virus for which no treatment or vaccine was available. This would put unprecedented pressure on the intensive care units (ICUs) of our hospitals.
This led to a global alarm situation, never seen in the history of mankind: “flatten the curve” was represented by a lockdown that shut down the entire society and economy and quarantined healthy people. Social distancing became the new normal in anticipation of a rescue vaccine.
The facts about covid-19
Gradually, the alarm bell was sounded from many sources: the objective facts showed a completely different reality. 5 6
The course of covid-19 followed the course of a normal wave of infection similar to a flu season. As every year, we see a mix of flu viruses following the curve: first the rhinoviruses, then the influenza A and B viruses, followed by the coronaviruses. There is nothing different from what we normally see.
The use of the non-specific PCR test, which produces many false positives, showed an exponential picture. This test was rushed through with an emergency procedure and was never seriously self-tested. The creator expressly warned that this test was intended for research and not for diagnostics.7
The PCR test works with cycles of amplification of genetic material – a piece of genome is amplified each time. Any contamination (e.g. other viruses, debris from old virus genomes) can possibly result in false positives.8
The test does not measure how many viruses are present in the sample. A real viral infection means a massive presence of viruses, the so-called virus load. If someone tests positive, this does not mean that that person is actually clinically infected, is ill or is going to become ill. Koch’s postulate was not fulfilled (“The pure agent found in a patient with complaints can provoke the same complaints in a healthy person”).
Since a positive PCR test does not automatically indicate active infection or infectivity, this does not justify the social measures taken, which are based solely on these tests. 9 10
Lockdown.
If we compare the waves of infection in countries with strict lockdown policies to countries that did not impose lockdowns (Sweden, Iceland …), we see similar curves. So there is no link between the imposed lockdown and the course of the infection. Lockdown has not led to a lower mortality rate.
If we look at the date of application of the imposed lockdowns we see that the lockdowns were set after the peak was already over and the number of cases decreasing. The drop was therefore not the result of the taken measures. 11
As every year, it seems that climatic conditions (weather, temperature and humidity) and growing immunity are more likely to reduce the wave of infection.
Our immune system
For thousands of years, the human body has been exposed daily to moisture and droplets containing infectious microorganisms (viruses, bacteria and fungi).
The penetration of these microorganisms is prevented by an advanced defence mechanism – the immune system. A strong immune system relies on normal daily exposure to these microbial influences. Overly hygienic measures have a detrimental effect on our immunity. 12 13 Only people with a weak or faulty immune system should be protected by extensive hygiene or social distancing.
Influenza will re-emerge in the autumn (in combination with covid-19) and a possible decrease in natural resilience may lead to further casualties.
Our immune system consists of two parts: a congenital, non-specific immune system and an adaptive immune system.
The non-specific immune system forms a first barrier: skin, saliva, gastric juice, intestinal mucus, vibratory hair cells, commensal flora, … and prevents the attachment of micro-organisms to tissue.
If they do attach, macrophages can cause the microorganisms to be encapsulated and destroyed.
The adaptive immune system consists of mucosal immunity (IgA antibodies, mainly produced by cells in the intestines and lung epithelium), cellular immunity (T-cell activation), which can be generated in contact with foreign substances or microorganisms, and humoral immunity (IgM and IgG antibodies produced by the B cells).
Recent research shows that both systems are highly entangled.
It appears that most people already have a congenital or general immunity to e.g. influenza and other viruses. This is confirmed by the findings on the cruise ship Diamond Princess, which was quarantined because of a few passengers who died of Covid-19. Most of the passengers were elderly and were in an ideal situation of transmission on the ship. However, 75% did not appear to be infected. So even in this high-risk group, the majority are resistant to the virus.
A study in the journal Cell shows that most people neutralise the coronavirus by mucosal (IgA) and cellular immunity (T-cells), while experiencing few or no symptoms 14.
Researchers found up to 60% SARS-Cov-2 reactivity with CD4+T cells in a non-infected population, suggesting cross-reactivity with other cold (corona) viruses.15
Most people therefore already have a congenital or cross-immunity because they were already in contact with variants of the same virus.
The antibody formation (IgM and IgG) by B-cells only occupies a relatively small part of our immune system. This may explain why, with an antibody percentage of 5-10%, there may be a group immunity anyway. The efficacy of vaccines is assessed precisely on the basis of whether or not we have these antibodies. This is a misrepresentation.
Most people who test positive (PCR) have no complaints. Their immune system is strong enough. Strengthening natural immunity is a much more logical approach. Prevention is an important, insufficiently highlighted pillar: healthy, full-fledged nutrition, exercise in fresh air, without a mask, stress reduction and nourishing emotional and social contacts.
Consequences of social isolation on physical and mental health
Social isolation and economic damage led to an increase in depression, anxiety, suicides, intra-family violence and child abuse.16
Studies have shown that the more social and emotional commitments people have, the more resistant they are to viruses. It is much more likely that isolation and quarantine have fatal consequences. 17
The isolation measures have also led to physical inactivity in many older people due to their being forced to stay indoors. However, sufficient exercise has a positive effect on cognitive functioning, reducing depressive complaints and anxiety and improving physical health, energy levels, well-being and, in general, quality of life.18
Fear, persistent stress and loneliness induced by social distancing have a proven negative influence on psychological and general health. 19
A highly contagious virus with millions of deaths without any treatment?
Mortality turned out to be many times lower than expected and close to that of a normal seasonal flu (0.2%).20
The number of registered corona deaths therefore still seems to be overestimated.
There is a difference between death by corona and death with corona. Humans are often carriers of multiple viruses and potentially pathogenic bacteria at the same time. Taking into account the fact that most people who developed serious symptoms suffered from additional pathology, one cannot simply conclude that the corona-infection was the cause of death. This was mostly not taken into account in the statistics.
The most vulnerable groups can be clearly identified. The vast majority of deceased patients were 80 years of age or older. The majority (70%) of the deceased, younger than 70 years, had an underlying disorder, such as cardiovascular suffering, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease or obesity. The vast majority of infected persons (>98%) did not or hardly became ill or recovered spontaneously.
Meanwhile, there is an affordable, safe and efficient therapy available for those who do show severe symptoms of disease in the form of HCQ (hydroxychloroquine), zinc and AZT (azithromycin). Rapidly applied this therapy leads to recovery and often prevents hospitalisation. Hardly anyone has to die now.
This effective therapy has been confirmed by the clinical experience of colleagues in the field with impressive results. This contrasts sharply with the theoretical criticism (insufficient substantiation by double-blind studies) which in some countries (e.g. the Netherlands) has even led to a ban on this therapy. A meta-analysis in The Lancet, which could not demonstrate an effect of HCQ, was withdrawn. The primary data sources used proved to be unreliable and 2 out of 3 authors were in conflict of interest. However, most of the guidelines based on this study remained unchanged … 48 49
We have serious questions about this state of affairs.
In the US, a group of doctors in the field, who see patients on a daily basis, united in “America’s Frontline Doctors” and gave a press conference which has been watched millions of times.21 51
French Prof Didier Raoult of the Institut d’Infectiologie de Marseille (IHU) also presented this promising combination therapy as early as April. Dutch GP Rob Elens, who cured many patients in his practice with HCQ and zinc, called on colleagues in a petition for freedom of therapy.22
The definitive evidence comes from the epidemiological follow-up in Switzerland: mortality rates compared with and without this therapy.23
From the distressing media images of ARDS (acute respiratory distress syndrome) where people were suffocating and given artificial respiration in agony, we now know that this was caused by an exaggerated immune response with intravascular coagulation in the pulmonary blood vessels. The administration of blood thinners and dexamethasone and the avoidance of artificial ventilation, which was found to cause additional damage to lung tissue, means that this dreaded complication, too, is virtually not fatal anymore. 47
It is therefore not a killer virus, but a well-treatable condition.
Propagation
Spreading occurs by drip infection (only for patients who cough or sneeze) and aerosols in closed, unventilated rooms. Contamination is therefore not possible in the open air. Contact tracing and epidemiological studies show that healthy people (or positively tested asymptomatic carriers) are virtually unable to transmit the virus. Healthy people therefore do not put each other at risk. 24 25
Transfer via objects (e.g. money, shopping or shopping trolleys) has not been scientifically proven.26 27 28
All this seriously calls into question the whole policy of social distancing and compulsory mouth masks for healthy people – there is no scientific basis for this.
Masks
Oral masks belong in contexts where contacts with proven at-risk groups or people with upper respiratory complaints take place, and in a medical context/hospital-retirement home setting. They reduce the risk of droplet infection by sneezing or coughing. Oral masks in healthy individuals are ineffective against the spread of viral infections. 29 30 31
Wearing a mask is not without side effects. 32 33 Oxygen deficiency (headache, nausea, fatigue, loss of concentration) occurs fairly quickly, an effect similar to altitude sickness. Every day we now see patients complaining of headaches, sinus problems, respiratory problems and hyperventilation due to wearing masks. In addition, the accumulated CO2 leads to a toxic acidification of the organism which affects our immunity. Some experts even warn of an increased transmission of the virus in case of inappropriate use of the mask.34
Our Labour Code (Codex 6) refers to a CO2 content (ventilation in workplaces) of 900 ppm, maximum 1200 ppm in special circumstances. After wearing a mask for one minute, this toxic limit is considerably exceeded to values that are three to four times higher than these maximum values. Anyone who wears a mask is therefore in an extreme poorly ventilated room. 35
Inappropriate use of masks without a comprehensive medical cardio-pulmonary test file is therefore not recommended by recognised safety specialists for workers.
Hospitals have a sterile environment in their operating rooms where staff wear masks and there is precise regulation of humidity / temperature with appropriately monitored oxygen flow to compensate for this, thus meeting strict safety standards. 36
A second corona wave?
A second wave is now being discussed in Belgium, with a further tightening of the measures as a result. However, closer examination of Sciensano’s figures (latest report of 3 September 2020)37 shows that, although there has been an increase in the number of infections since mid-July, there was no increase in hospital admissions or deaths at that time. It is therefore not a second wave of corona, but a so-called “case chemistry” due to an increased number of tests. 50
The number of hospital admissions or deaths showed a shortlasting minimal increase in recent weeks, but in interpreting it, we must take into account the recent heatwave. In addition, the vast majority of the victims are still in the population group >75 years.
This indicates that the proportion of the measures taken in relation to the working population and young people is disproportionate to the intended objectives.
The vast majority of the positively tested “infected” persons are in the age group of the active population, which does not develop any or merely limited symptoms, due to a well-functioning immune system.
So nothing has changed – the peak is over.
Strengthening a prevention policy
The corona measures form a striking contrast to the minimal policy pursued by the government until now, when it comes to well-founded measures with proven health benefits such as the sugar tax, the ban on (e-)cigarettes and making healthy food, exercise and social support networks financially attractive and widely accessible. It is a missed opportunity for a better prevention policy that could have brought about a change in mentality in all sections of the population with clear results in terms of public health. At present, only 3% of the health care budget goes to prevention. 2
The Hippocratic Oath
As a doctor, we took the Hippocratic Oath:
“I will above all care for my patients, promote their health and alleviate their suffering”.
“I will inform my patients correctly.”
“Even under pressure, I will not use my medical knowledge for practices that are against humanity.”
The current measures force us to act against this oath.
Other health professionals have a similar code.
The ‘primum non nocere’, which every doctor and health professional assumes, is also undermined by the current measures and by the prospect of the possible introduction of a generalised vaccine, which is not subject to extensive prior testing.
Vaccine
Survey studies on influenza vaccinations show that in 10 years we have only succeeded three times in developing a vaccine with an efficiency rate of more than 50%. Vaccinating our elderly appears to be inefficient. Over 75 years of age, the efficacy is almost non-existent.38
Due to the continuous natural mutation of viruses, as we also see every year in the case of the influenza virus, a vaccine is at most a temporary solution, which requires new vaccines each time afterwards. An untested vaccine, which is implemented by emergency procedure and for which the manufacturers have already obtained legal immunity from possible harm, raises serious questions. 39 40 We do not wish to use our patients as guinea pigs.
On a global scale, 700 000 cases of damage or death are expected as a result of the vaccine.41
If 95% of people experience Covid-19 virtually symptom-free, the risk of exposure to an untested vaccine is irresponsible.
The role of the media and the official communication plan
Over the past few months, newspaper, radio and TV makers seemed to stand almost uncritically behind the panel of experts and the government, there, where it is precisely the press that should be critical and prevent one-sided governmental communication. This has led to a public communication in our news media, that was more like propaganda than objective reporting.
In our opinion, it is the task of journalism to bring news as objectively and neutrally as possible, aimed at finding the truth and critically controlling power, with dissenting experts also being given a forum in which to express themselves.
This view is supported by the journalistic codes of ethics.42
The official story that a lockdown was necessary, that this was the only possible solution, and that everyone stood behind this lockdown, made it difficult for people with a different view, as well as experts, to express a different opinion.
Alternative opinions were ignored or ridiculed. We have not seen open debates in the media, where different views could be expressed.
We were also surprised by the many videos and articles by many scientific experts and authorities, which were and are still being removed from social media. We feel that this does not fit in with a free, democratic constitutional state, all the more so as it leads to tunnel vision. This policy also has a paralysing effect and feeds fear and concern in society. In this context, we reject the intention of censorship of dissidents in the European Union! 43
The way in which Covid-19 has been portrayed by politicians and the media has not done the situation any good either. War terms were popular and warlike language was not lacking. There has often been mention of a ‘war’ with an ‘invisible enemy’ who has to be ‘defeated’. The use in the media of phrases such as ‘care heroes in the front line’ and ‘corona victims’ has further fuelled fear, as has the idea that we are globally dealing with a ‘killer virus’.
The relentless bombardment with figures, that were unleashed on the population day after day, hour after hour, without interpreting those figures, without comparing them to flu deaths in other years, without comparing them to deaths from other causes, has induced a real psychosis of fear in the population. This is not information, this is manipulation.
We deplore the role of the WHO in this, which has called for the infodemic (i.e. all divergent opinions from the official discourse, including by experts with different views) to be silenced by an unprecedented media censorship.43 44
We urgently call on the media to take their responsibilities here!
We demand an open debate in which all experts are heard.
Emergency law versus Human Rights
The general principle of good governance calls for the proportionality of government decisions to be weighed up in the light of the Higher Legal Standards: any interference by government must comply with the fundamental rights as protected in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Interference by public authorities is only permitted in crisis situations. In other words, discretionary decisions must be proportionate to an absolute necessity.
The measures currently taken concern interference in the exercise of, among other things, the right to respect of private and family life, freedom of thought, conscience and religion, freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association, the right to education, etc., and must therefore comply with fundamental rights as protected by the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR).
For example, in accordance with Article 8(2) of the ECHR, interference with the right to private and family life is permissible only if the measures are necessary in the interests of national security, public safety, the economic well-being of the country, the protection of public order and the prevention of criminal offences, the protection of health or the protection of the rights and freedoms of others, the regulatory text on which the interference is based must be sufficiently clear, foreseeable and proportionate to the objectives pursued.45
The predicted pandemic of millions of deaths seemed to respond to these crisis conditions, leading to the establishment of an emergency government. Now that the objective facts show something completely different, the condition of inability to act otherwise (no time to evaluate thoroughly if there is an emergency) is no longer in place. Covid-19 is not a cold virus, but a well treatable condition with a mortality rate comparable to the seasonal flu. In other words, there is no longer an insurmountable obstacle to public health.
There is no state of emergency.
Immense damage caused by the current policies
An open discussion on corona measures means that, in addition to the years of life gained by corona patients, we must also take into account other factors affecting the health of the entire population. These include damage in the psychosocial domain (increase in depression, anxiety, suicides, intra-family violence and child abuse)16 and economic damage.
If we take this collateral damage into account, the current policy is out of all proportion, the proverbial use of a sledgehammer to crack a nut.
We find it shocking that the government is invoking health as a reason for the emergency law.
As doctors and health professionals, in the face of a virus which, in terms of its harmfulness, mortality and transmissibility, approaches the seasonal influenza, we can only reject these extremely disproportionate measures.
We therefore demand an immediate end to all measures.
We are questioning the legitimacy of the current advisory experts, who meet behind closed doors.
Following on from ACU 2020 46 https://acu2020.org/nederlandse-versie/ we call for an in-depth examination of the role of the WHO and the possible influence of conflicts of interest in this organisation. It was also at the heart of the fight against the “infodemic”, i.e. the systematic censorship of all dissenting opinions in the media. This is unacceptable for a democratic state governed by the rule of law.43
Distribution of this letter
We would like to make a public appeal to our professional associations and fellow carers to give their opinion on the current measures.
We draw attention to and call for an open discussion in which carers can and dare to speak out.
With this open letter, we send out the signal that progress on the same footing does more harm than good, and call on politicians to inform themselves independently and critically about the available evidence – including that from experts with different views, as long as it is based on sound science – when rolling out a policy, with the aim of promoting optimum health.
With concern, hope and in a personal capacity.
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