thestream--2020-04-02--The Government May Be Trampling on Civil Liberties During the Coronavirus Pandemic

The government ’ s expanding its power as it deals with the pandemic .
If it ’ s not already trampling civil liberties , it ’ s coming close .
That may seem necessary , but it ’ s never good .
Conservatives know that governments want to grow , and that they rarely shrink on their own .
Once they have power , they don ’ t like to give it back .
State and county governments across America are requiring people to stay indoors and forcing businesses to shut down .
The new powers should be temporary .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ may end up making them permanent .
This crisis may go on for a long time .
And the nation will experience others .
And we haven ’ t even seen new steps that may be taken within the next month or so .
So why wouldn ’ t a government keep the powers it thinks it needs ?
But worse , the decisions are based on who the government favors .
And doesn ’ t favor .
Like churches .
Against the Bill of Rights Let ’ s look at the way @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Constitution .
There ’ s the first , guaranteeing freedom of religion and the right to assemble .
Abortion clinics are considered essential businesses .
But in some places churches aren ’ t ( some are still meeting because there ’ s not yet a ban on large group gatherings in their state or because they ’ ve been granted an exemption to emergency rules ) .
For example , Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested in Hernando County , Florida .
He was charged with the misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Michael Moreland , director of the Ellen H. McCullen Center for Law , Religion and Public Policy at Villanova University , said , “ So long as ( group gathering ) restrictions are neutral and applicable to everybody , religious institutions have to abide by them.
” But if they ’ re picking and choosing what groups they apply to , then they ’ re not constitutional .
While it may have been inappropriate of the pastor to hold services after the order was issued preventing large gatherings , it could have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arresting him .
The police could have showed up at the church and ordered everyone to leave .
They could have fined the pastor .
There were civil ways to address the issue , without resorting to treating him like a criminal .
Some localities have imposed curfews .
Ordering curfews for healthy people may be trampling on the First Amendment right to free assembly .
There ’ s the Second Amendment , guaranteeing the right to bear arms .
California ’ s Santa Clara County considers marijuana dispensaries “ essential businesses.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stores are not .
They can ’ t stay open .
What ’ s the difference ?
No one will explain .
The Fourth Amendment bans unreasonable searches and seizures .
In Rhode Island , the police and National Guard are pulling over cars with New York license plates .
They will be going door to door looking for New Yorkers to force them into 14-day self-quarantine .
The White House has also called for New Yorkers who live in the state to do this .
The Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not others may violate it .
Those businesses may be entitled to a hearing before being shut down .
Shutting down businesses may constitute illegal seizure of private property .
Because after being shut down for a couple of months , many businesses will not survive .
Then there ’ s the Fourteenth Amendment .
The law permits the federal government to impose quarantines for public health reasons .
However , under the amendment ’ s Equal Protection and Due Process clauses , such conditions can ’ t be “ arbitrary , oppressive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s Commerce Clause .
Some constitutional scholars say President Trump could use it as authority to impose a national lockdown .
Trump briefly threatened to quarantine New York , New Jersey and Connecticut last Saturday .
The Commerce Clause gives the federal government the power to regulate commerce among the states .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
It has been grossly abused to expand federal power over the years .
In the 1942 case Wickard v. Filburn , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rule that a federal act could prohibit a farmer from growing extra food on his farm for his own personal use .
Trump backed down .
He had the CDC issue a travel advisory for the three states instead .
It urges people to avoid nonessential travel for 14 days .
The private company X-Mode caused quite a stir when it tracked the smartphones of young people partying over spring break on Florida beaches .
It mapped out across the country where they went when the partying ended , to show how they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government is considering this in order to make sure people are staying at home .
Governments in Italy , Germany , Austria , China , South Korea and Taiwan have already started .
The DOJ has asked Congress to allow it to petition a judge to detain people indefinitely without a hearing .
This could take place for several reasons .
One is if the courts are shut down .
Norman L Reimer , executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers , told Politico , “ I find it absolutely @ @ @ @ @ @ @ emergency , we should be very careful about granting new powers to the government.
” We saw a crackdown on civil liberties in recent years due to another big disaster , 9/11 .
Congress passed the Patriot Act , which allowed the government to collect citizens ’ phone records among other things .
Lawsuits are starting over the drastic measures the government is taking .
But judges can be all over the board on their rulings , and they authorized a lot of the Patriot Act .
So there is a real fear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liberties .
There ’ s no sign the pandemic will be slowing anytime soon .
The earliest predictions are a month from now .
So the measures being taken could get worse .
Much worse .
We may not be able to get back the Constitutional freedoms this country has enjoyed since 1776 .
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream .
Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC .
Follow The Stream at streamdotorg .
Send tips to rachel.alexander @ stream.org .

The government’s expanding its power as it deals with the pandemic. If it’s not already trampling civil liberties, it’s coming close. That may seem necessary, but it’s never good. Conservatives know that governments want to grow, and that they rarely shrink on their own. Once they have power, they don’t like to give it back.
State and county governments across America are requiring people to stay indoors and forcing businesses to shut down. The new powers should be temporary. But will they be? The government may end up making them permanent. This crisis may go on for a long time. And the nation will experience others. And we haven’t even seen new steps that may be taken within the next month or so. So why wouldn’t a government keep the powers it thinks it needs?
But worse, the decisions are based on who the government favors. And doesn’t favor. Like churches.
Against the Bill of Rights
Let’s look at the way government reads the first five amendments to the Constitution.
There’s the first, guaranteeing freedom of religion and the right to assemble. Abortion clinics are considered essential businesses. But in some places churches aren’t (some are still meeting because there’s not yet a ban on large group gatherings in their state or because they’ve been granted an exemption to emergency rules).
For example, Pastor Rodney Howard-Browne was arrested in Hernando County, Florida. He was charged with the misdemeanor charges of unlawful assembly and violation of a public health emergency order. Michael Moreland, director of the Ellen H. McCullen Center for Law, Religion and Public Policy at Villanova University, said, “So long as (group gathering) restrictions are neutral and applicable to everybody, religious institutions have to abide by them.” But if they’re picking and choosing what groups they apply to, then they’re not constitutional.
While it may have been inappropriate of the pastor to hold services after the order was issued preventing large gatherings, it could have been resolved without going so far as arresting him. The police could have showed up at the church and ordered everyone to leave. They could have fined the pastor. There were civil ways to address the issue, without resorting to treating him like a criminal.
Some localities have imposed curfews. Ordering curfews for healthy people may be trampling on the First Amendment right to free assembly.
There’s the Second Amendment, guaranteeing the right to bear arms. California’s Santa Clara County considers marijuana dispensaries “essential businesses.” They can stay open. But gun stores are not. They can’t stay open. What’s the difference? No one will explain.
The Fourth Amendment bans unreasonable searches and seizures. In Rhode Island, the police and National Guard are pulling over cars with New York license plates. They will be going door to door looking for New Yorkers to force them into 14-day self-quarantine. The White House has also called for New Yorkers who live in the state to do this.
The Fifth Amendment guarantees the right to due process. Targeting certain businesses but not others may violate it. Those businesses may be entitled to a hearing before being shut down. Shutting down businesses may constitute illegal seizure of private property. Because after being shut down for a couple of months, many businesses will not survive.
Federal Government May Authorize Quarantines, With Caveats
Then there’s the Fourteenth Amendment. The law permits the federal government to impose quarantines for public health reasons. However, under the amendment’s Equal Protection and Due Process clauses, such conditions can’t be “arbitrary, oppressive and unreasonable.”
And also the Constitution’s Commerce Clause. Some constitutional scholars say President Trump could use it as authority to impose a national lockdown. Trump briefly threatened to quarantine New York, New Jersey and Connecticut last Saturday. The Commerce Clause gives the federal government the power to regulate commerce among the states.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
It has been grossly abused to expand federal power over the years. In the 1942 case Wickard v. Filburn, the Supreme Court relied on it to rule that a federal act could prohibit a farmer from growing extra food on his farm for his own personal use.
Trump backed down. He had the CDC issue a travel advisory for the three states instead. It urges people to avoid nonessential travel for 14 days.
Surveillance and Detention
The private company X-Mode caused quite a stir when it tracked the smartphones of young people partying over spring break on Florida beaches. It mapped out across the country where they went when the partying ended, to show how they could have spread the virus.
The government is considering this in order to make sure people are staying at home. Governments in Italy, Germany, Austria, China, South Korea and Taiwan have already started.
The DOJ has asked Congress to allow it to petition a judge to detain people indefinitely without a hearing. This could take place for several reasons. One is if the courts are shut down. Norman L Reimer, executive director of the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, told Politico, “I find it absolutely terrifying. Especially in a time of emergency, we should be very careful about granting new powers to the government.”
Surveillance May Be Starting
We saw a crackdown on civil liberties in recent years due to another big disaster, 9/11. Congress passed the Patriot Act, which allowed the government to collect citizens’ phone records among other things.
Lawsuits are starting over the drastic measures the government is taking. But judges can be all over the board on their rulings, and they authorized a lot of the Patriot Act. So there is a real fear we will see massive violations of civil liberties.
There’s no sign the pandemic will be slowing anytime soon. The earliest predictions are a month from now. So the measures being taken could get worse. Much worse. We may not be able to get back the Constitutional freedoms this country has enjoyed since 1776.
Rachel Alexander is a senior editor of The Stream. Follow her on Twitter at Rach_IC. Follow The Stream at streamdotorg. Send tips to [email protected].


thestream--2020-04-02--Military Photo of the Day: Taking Temperatures in Ramstein

A U.S. Air Force air transportation passenger service specialist takes a passenger ’ s temperature at Ramstein Air Base in @ @ @ @ @ 2020 .
Thank you to all military heroes serving overseas during this time of crisis @ @ @ @ @ Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .

A U.S. Air Force air transportation passenger service specialist takes a passenger’s temperature at Ramstein Air Base in Germany on March 20, 2020.
Thank you to all military heroes serving overseas during this time of crisis.
React to This Article What do you think of our coverage in this article? We value your feedback as we continue to grow.


thestream--2020-04-02--Pastor David Platt’s Powerful Response to Pain, Evil and Chaos

In a world in which evil and suffering can sometimes feel totally overwhelming , how do we , as Christians , ground ourselves and continue to push forward and do good ?
Pastor David Platt and his wife were faced with just that conundrum .
He details how God guided him through these questions in his new book , Something Needs To Change : A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need .
The book details a week-long trek in a country in the Himalayan mountains that represented “ a collision of urgent spiritual and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Platt deeply convicted .
“ God just broke my heart for the needs of those mountains , ” he told The Pure Flix Podcast during a recent interview .
What was his biggest takeaway from his first trip there ?
“ Something needs to change .
… I can ’ t go on with business as usual if these are realities in the world.
” They ’ ve Never Even Heard Jesus ’ Name His trip to the region came after he and his wife attempted to adopt a child from the area @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s plan , but Platt ended up meeting a native of the country and traveled there with him instead .
And he was deeply impacted by what he saw and experienced .
It ’ s a place Platt described as both desperate and isolating .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
“ The did some research in some of these villages a few years back , and they found that half of the kids in these villages were dying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of my worst fears is that something would happen to one of my kids .
I can ’ t imagine that being an expectation for half of them , ” the father of four said .
“ [ There ’ s ] just poverty and dying of preventable diseases and then the byproducts of that — with trafficking .
Like , traffickers just preying on families in that kind of poverty.
” “ Most , if not all , the people who you interact with in those mountains have little to no knowledge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ They ’ ve never even heard His name.
” His new book was a result of his personal struggle and dependence on God to work through how he could help alleviate these struggles — complicated issues that should call all believers to some important questions .
Platt explained that Christians need to wrestle with these eternal curiosities : “ If I believe in Jesus , then how does that affect the way I think ?
” and “ If God is good , why is there suffering like this ?
And why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Platt had to wrestle with some of those questions .
In this book , he tries to “ come out from behind the stage , so to speak , where I preach on a weekly basis , and just say , ‘ How do we reconcile some of these things we see in God ’ s Word with the realities in the world ?
’ And then , what does that mean for our lives ?
” In the end , Platt said it all boils down to one final question : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ?
” Platt , who believes Christ is indeed this hope , noted that someone had asked him how he could believe in God with so much suffering in the world — and he offered an impassioned response .
“ My response was , ‘ how can I not ?
’ Like , to say there is no God means that — ok , so , we ’ re just random products of chance .
And , in the end — there ’ s evil , there ’ s good , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s just over ?
” he said .
“ That ’ s not true .
There is justice in the end and there is hope that this world is not all there is .
And the evil in this world will not have the last word.
” Platt said there is grace and eternal life , and that God has given us a path through Christ to find these things .
His book , Something Needs to Change , helps us all process these important realities .
If you ’ re interested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just reading his new book , Platt encourages others to visit Radical.net — a site dedicated to helping Christians find other individuals and organizations helping out around the world .
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade .
He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com , the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at The Blaze .
And if you ’ re looking for more faith and family-friendly content , head on over to Pure Flix and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to stream thousands of movies , TV shows and more .
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider .
Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows .
You can get a free trial here .

In a world in which evil and suffering can sometimes feel totally overwhelming, how do we, as Christians, ground ourselves and continue to push forward and do good?
Pastor David Platt and his wife were faced with just that conundrum. He details how God guided him through these questions in his new book, Something Needs To Change: A Call to Make Your Life Count in a World of Urgent Need.
The book details a week-long trek in a country in the Himalayan mountains that represented “a collision of urgent spiritual and physical needs” — needs that left Platt deeply convicted.
“God just broke my heart for the needs of those mountains,” he told The Pure Flix Podcast during a recent interview. What was his biggest takeaway from his first trip there? “Something needs to change. … I can’t go on with business as usual if these are realities in the world.”
Listen to Platt share his powerful story:

They’ve Never Even Heard Jesus’ Name
His trip to the region came after he and his wife attempted to adopt a child from the area. That adoption was not in God’s plan, but Platt ended up meeting a native of the country and traveled there with him instead.
And he was deeply impacted by what he saw and experienced. It’s a place Platt described as both desperate and isolating.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
“The did some research in some of these villages a few years back, and they found that half of the kids in these villages were dying before their eighth birthday. … One of my worst fears is that something would happen to one of my kids. I can’t imagine that being an expectation for half of them,” the father of four said. “[There’s] just poverty and dying of preventable diseases and then the byproducts of that — with trafficking. Like, traffickers just preying on families in that kind of poverty.”
“Most, if not all, the people who you interact with in those mountains have little to no knowledge of Jesus,” Platt said. “They’ve never even heard His name.”
Wrestling With Tough Questions
His new book was a result of his personal struggle and dependence on God to work through how he could help alleviate these struggles — complicated issues that should call all believers to some important questions.
Platt explained that Christians need to wrestle with these eternal curiosities: “If I believe in Jesus, then how does that affect the way I think?” and “If God is good, why is there suffering like this? And why does He not stop it?”
Platt had to wrestle with some of those questions. In this book, he tries to “come out from behind the stage, so to speak, where I preach on a weekly basis, and just say, ‘How do we reconcile some of these things we see in God’s Word with the realities in the world?’ And then, what does that mean for our lives?”
There is hope that this world is not all there is. And the evil in this world will not have the last word.
In the end, Platt said it all boils down to one final question: “Is Jesus really the hope of the world?” Platt, who believes Christ is indeed this hope, noted that someone had asked him how he could believe in God with so much suffering in the world — and he offered an impassioned response.
“My response was, ‘how can I not?’ Like, to say there is no God means that — ok, so, we’re just random products of chance. And, in the end — there’s evil, there’s good, but no justice in the end? It’s just over?” he said. “That’s not true. There is justice in the end and there is hope that this world is not all there is. And the evil in this world will not have the last word.”
A Step Further
Platt said there is grace and eternal life, and that God has given us a path through Christ to find these things. His book, Something Needs to Change, helps us all process these important realities.
If you’re interested in taking it a step further than just reading his new book, Platt encourages others to visit Radical.net — a site dedicated to helping Christians find other individuals and organizations helping out around the world.
Billy Hallowell has worked as a journalist and commentator for more than a decade. He is the director of communications and content for PureFlix.com, the former senior editor at Faithwire.com and the former faith and culture editor at The Blaze.
And if you’re looking for more faith and family-friendly content, head on over to Pure Flix and sign up for your one-month free trial to stream thousands of movies, TV shows and more.
This article was originally published on Pure Flix Insider. Visit Pure Flix for access to thousands of faith and family-friendly movies and TV shows. You can get a free trial here.


thestream--2020-04-02--Of Course Wearing a Mask Will Reduce Your Chances of Contracting COVID-19

I never bought the advice from official groups against wearing masks to reduce the chance of viral infection .
These days , when my wife and I go to a grocery store or drug store , we wear masks .
We happen to have high-powered N-95 masks , which we had bought for household work long before the COVID-19 pandemic .
But if we only had lower-grade masks , we would have worn those .
Early in the COVID-19 crisis , the World Health Organization claimed that people without symptoms of the sickness didn ’ t need masks .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hands of some people , masks could do more harm than good .
For instance , Dr. April Baller at WHO assured us : “ If you do not have any physical symptoms , such as fever , cough or runny nose , you do not need to wear a medical mask .
Masks alone can give you a false feeling of protection and can even be a source of infection when not used properly.
” This line was echoed in the U.S. by the CDC .
Both groups have stood behind this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resistance from other experts and the public at large .
( # MasksforAll has recently been trending on Twitter . )
I was a skeptic from the beginning , based on two facts .
First , the advice was contradictory , since these same officials complained that medical providers were at risk because of a shortage of masks .
They seemed to be saying : Masks won ’ t keep the general public from contracting the virus , and besides , health care workers need them !
Our surgeon general , Dr. Jerome @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into a single tweet : It doesn ’ t take a Ph.D. in logic to see the problem : Either non-sick people don ’ t need the masks , or medical workers need them .
After all , medical workers are members of the set of non-sick people .
If masks protect medical workers , wouldn ’ t they protect grocers and mechanics as well ?
Second , even without the contradiction , it just seemed obvious to me that almost any mask , used properly , will reduce the risk of either @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instance , we ’ re told that we should avoid touching our faces , mouths , and noses .
If wearing masks reduces the chances of doing that , then wearing a mask will make some difference .
What ’ s With the Official Advice ?
Let ’ s assume officials at WHO and CDC aren ’ t stupid or evil .
So , what ’ s with the weird advice ?
What I think is going on is that these groups are trying to prevent folks in flyover country from buying and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would create a shortage of masks for doctors , nurses , and the like who were working directly with the sick .
Indeed , the CDC made the point openly : “ If you are NOT sick : You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick ( and they are not able to wear a facemask ) .
Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.
” Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This doesn ’ t mean the CDC hates non-medical people .
Perhaps they reasoned this way : If people with little risk of catching the virus buy up all the good masks , then people in the hot spots won ’ t have enough masks .
And that , in turn , could lead to more people catching the virus , getting sick and dying .
Therefore , it ’ s best to tell people outside the hot spots not to wear masks .
That ’ s an interesting conjecture .
An economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it .
But even if it ’ s true , it doesn ’ t mean that wearing a mask won ’ t give you some protection .
Still less does it mean that wearing a mask could put you more at risk .
In other words , wearing a mask could still reduce your chance of picking up the virus .
But Viruses Are Really Small !
There ’ s a secondary claim that someone brings up on Twitter whenever I complain about the official advice : Not all masks will block teeny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ properly wearing a government-approved N-95 mask , then the virus might slip right through , like a grain of sand passing through a cattle grate .
Actually , the CDC claims absurdly , “ For the general American public , there is no added health benefit to wear a respiratory protective device ( such as an N95 respirator ) .
” But , let ’ s grant the point .
Yes , some masks are better than others .
And wearing any mask propped up on your forehead won ’ t do much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , virus-infused fingers on the inside of a mask will defeat the purpose .
Still , surely wearing any clean mask , even a bandanna , over your mouth and nose will stop some of the spittle from the guy next to you at Costco who sneezes in the air .
Stopping droplets matters , since they often carry viruses .
Even if an isolated virus might slip through the weave of a mask , the mask could stop a droplet of spit carrying a virus .
I mean , the CDC says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ elbow rather than into your hand or into the open air .
( This is solid science .
MythBusters proved it . )
If that ’ s good advice , then surely wearing a mask would reduce the chances of sucking the virus into your lungs .
Ditto when it comes to preventing you from biting your nails or picking your nose .
Do we really need to wait for randomized , controlled studies to prove this ?
Well , no .
We don ’ t need to wait .
In fact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to decide what to do right now .
Should you wear a mask when you go to the grocery store or not ?
I ’ d say yes even if no one had ever studied the matter .
Still , there are studies .
Dr. Zoë Harcombe has done a systematic review of the studies that tested whether masks and other interventions reduce the spread of infections in a population .
Long story short : Yes , it helps to wear masks .
Among the studies are “ meta-analyses , ” which are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study , Harcombe notes , concludes that A 2020 follow up study by other researchers also found strong evidence that masks can reduce transmission of viruses .
You can read her whole discussion here .
This may be the first clear lesson of the crisis : When officials contradict both themselves and common sense , you should probably trust common sense .
Jay Richards is the Executive Editor of The Stream , an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Business and Economics at The Catholic University of America , and a Senior @ @ @ @ @ @

I never bought the advice from official groups against wearing masks to reduce the chance of viral infection. These days, when my wife and I go to a grocery store or drug store, we wear masks. We happen to have high-powered N-95 masks, which we had bought for household work long before the COVID-19 pandemic. But if we only had lower-grade masks, we would have worn those.
Early in the COVID-19 crisis, the World Health Organization claimed that people without symptoms of the sickness didn’t need masks. In fact, they said that in the hands of some people, masks could do more harm than good.
For instance, Dr. April Baller at WHO assured us: “If you do not have any physical symptoms, such as fever, cough or runny nose, you do not need to wear a medical mask. Masks alone can give you a false feeling of protection and can even be a source of infection when not used properly.”
This line was echoed in the U.S. by the CDC.
Both groups have stood behind this advice, even in the face of resistance from other experts and the public at large. (#MasksforAll has recently been trending on Twitter.)
The Contradiction
I was a skeptic from the beginning, based on two facts.
First, the advice was contradictory, since these same officials complained that medical providers were at risk because of a shortage of masks. They seemed to be saying: Masks won’t keep the general public from contracting the virus, and besides, health care workers need them!
Our surgeon general, Dr. Jerome Adams, managed to pack the contradiction into a single tweet:
Seriously people- STOP BUYING MASKS! They are NOT effective in preventing general public from catching #Coronavirus, but if healthcare providers can’t get them to care for sick patients, it puts them and our communities at risk!
https://t.co/UxZRwxxKL9 — U.S. Surgeon General (@Surgeon_General) February 29, 2020
It doesn’t take a Ph.D. in logic to see the problem: Either non-sick people don’t need the masks, or medical workers need them. After all, medical workers are members of the set of non-sick people. If masks protect medical workers, wouldn’t they protect grocers and mechanics as well?
Common Sense
Second, even without the contradiction, it just seemed obvious to me that almost any mask, used properly, will reduce the risk of either getting or transmitting a virus. For instance, we’re told that we should avoid touching our faces, mouths, and noses. If wearing masks reduces the chances of doing that, then wearing a mask will make some difference.
Surely wearing any clean mask, even a bandanna, over your mouth and nose will stop some of the spittle from the guy next to you at Costco who sneezes in the air.
What’s With the Official Advice?
Let’s assume officials at WHO and CDC aren’t stupid or evil. So, what’s with the weird advice? What I think is going on is that these groups are trying to prevent folks in flyover country from buying and hoarding masks. Why? Because that would create a shortage of masks for doctors, nurses, and the like who were working directly with the sick.
Indeed, the CDC made the point openly: “If you are NOT sick: You do not need to wear a facemask unless you are caring for someone who is sick (and they are not able to wear a facemask). Facemasks may be in short supply and they should be saved for caregivers.”
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
This doesn’t mean the CDC hates non-medical people. Perhaps they reasoned this way: If people with little risk of catching the virus buy up all the good masks, then people in the hot spots won’t have enough masks. And that, in turn, could lead to more people catching the virus, getting sick and dying. Therefore, it’s best to tell people outside the hot spots not to wear masks.
That’s an interesting conjecture. An economist might even find a way to test it. But even if it’s true, it doesn’t mean that wearing a mask won’t give you some protection. Still less does it mean that wearing a mask could put you more at risk.
In other words, wearing a mask could still reduce your chance of picking up the virus.
But Viruses Are Really Small!
There’s a secondary claim that someone brings up on Twitter whenever I complain about the official advice: Not all masks will block teeny tiny viruses. Unless you’re properly wearing a government-approved N-95 mask, then the virus might slip right through, like a grain of sand passing through a cattle grate.
Actually, the CDC claims absurdly, “For the general American public, there is no added health benefit to wear a respiratory protective device (such as an N95 respirator).”
But, let’s grant the point. Yes, some masks are better than others. And wearing any mask propped up on your forehead won’t do much. Oh, and rubbing your snotty, virus-infused fingers on the inside of a mask will defeat the purpose.
Still, surely wearing any clean mask, even a bandanna, over your mouth and nose will stop some of the spittle from the guy next to you at Costco who sneezes in the air. Stopping droplets matters, since they often carry viruses. Even if an isolated virus might slip through the weave of a mask, the mask could stop a droplet of spit carrying a virus.
I mean, the CDC says to sneeze into the joint of your elbow rather than into your hand or into the open air. (This is solid science. MythBusters proved it.) If that’s good advice, then surely wearing a mask would reduce the chances of sucking the virus into your lungs.
Ditto when it comes to preventing you from biting your nails or picking your nose.
Do we really need to wait for randomized, controlled studies to prove this?
Studies Show …
Well, no. We don’t need to wait. In fact, we can’t. We have to decide what to do right now. Should you wear a mask when you go to the grocery store or not?
I’d say yes even if no one had ever studied the matter. Still, there are studies. Dr. Zoë Harcombe has done a systematic review of the studies that tested whether masks and other interventions reduce the spread of infections in a population.
Long story short: Yes, it helps to wear masks. Among the studies are “meta-analyses,” which are studies of studies. One such 2011 study, Harcombe notes, concludes that
the following interventions can help — frequent handwashing and barriers to transmission such as isolation and wearing protective clothing (masks, gloves and gowns). The review found “no evidence that the more expensive, irritating and uncomfortable N95 respirators were superior to simple surgical masks.”
A 2020 follow up study by other researchers also found strong evidence that masks can reduce transmission of viruses.
You can read her whole discussion here.
This may be the first clear lesson of the crisis: When officials contradict both themselves and common sense, you should probably trust common sense.
Jay Richards is the Executive Editor of The Stream, an Assistant Research Professor in the School of Business and Economics at The Catholic University of America, and a Senior Fellow at the Discovery Institute.


thestream--2020-04-03--Please Pray With Me Now for Our Leaders and First Responders

James Robison is The Stream ’ s founder and publisher .
He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the author of many books , including Indivisible ( with Jay Richards ) @ @ @ @

James Robison is The Stream’ s founder and publisher. He is co-founder of LIFE Outreach International and co-host of LIFE Today . He’s the author of many books, including Indivisible (with Jay Richards) and Living Amazed .
React to This Article What do you think of our coverage in this article? We value your feedback as we continue to grow.


thestream--2020-04-03--Military Photo of the Day: USAF Medical Readiness Squadron at Work

A U.S. Air Force medical readiness squadron superintendent administers a COVID-19 test to a patient at Columbus Air Force Base @ @ @ @ @ , 2020 .
Have a healthy and safe weekend , everyone .
Support The Stream @ @ @ @ @ This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .

A U.S. Air Force medical readiness squadron superintendent administers a COVID-19 test to a patient at Columbus Air Force Base in Mississippi on March 25, 2020.
Have a healthy and safe weekend, everyone.
React to This Article What do you think of our coverage in this article? We value your feedback as we continue to grow.


thestream--2020-04-03--Devna in Her Own Words: Sold to a Brothel at Age 9

She was 7 years old when first sold .
Two years later she was sold to a brothel .
For 20 years , she clung to the hope someone would come , someone would be able to free her from her hell on earth .
To protect her identity , we ’ re calling her Devna .
Here ’ s her story in her own words , told to RescueLIFE : I was born in southern Nepal , and my mother died when I was young .
When my father remarried , he didn ’ t want me around , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And then one day I ’ ll never forget , I was tending a field and two people came and offered me candy to go with them .
I didn ’ t know where we were going but went along because they seemed so nice .
They took me to the India border , where they had arranged to sell me to a family .
For 1½ years I worked as a house maid .
When I was only 9 , I was taken to another part of India .
[ Devna @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this . ]
I had been sold to a brothel , and men told me , “ This is what you will do [ talking about having sex with men ] , or we will kill you .
Your life has no value unless we can make money !
” My clothes were ripped off , and they tied my feet and legs .
I refused to participate , but they forced me .
As this went on , I began to feel dead inside .
I knew I had no place to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
I could not escape … I was heavily guarded , and they would beat you with sticks if you tried to get away .
There was no way to escape .
It was like being in hell .
I was tortured and beaten very badly .
Sometimes they would keep me naked in a toilet room and , at times , with no food .
Other women were locked in closets , and they would not let them see the daylight .
They shut them in to make them suffer .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ girls actually die , I had so much fear … I thought that was my future too .
“ I will die , and they will just throw out our bodies … no one will find us.
” I actually saw girls slit their wrists and sometimes die from bleeding .
That was their way out .
My constant cry was , “ Please , someone get me out of this place .
I have no one .
Somebody out there !
Please rescue me out of this nightmare.
” Somehow God has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I have my hope in God .
I had nobody , no home , nothing .
I felt useless .
Who would want me ?
But somebody from a mission team came to rescue me , so I know there is a God .
I ’ m so thankful to be free today because God ’ s people cared .

She was 7 years old when first sold. Two years later she was sold to a brothel. For 20 years, she clung to the hope someone would come, someone would be able to free her from her hell on earth.
To protect her identity, we’re calling her Devna. Here’s her story in her own words, told to RescueLIFE:
I was born in southern Nepal, and my mother died when I was young. When my father remarried, he didn’t want me around, and I had a very unhappy childhood.
And then one day I’ll never forget, I was tending a field and two people came and offered me candy to go with them. I didn’t know where we were going but went along because they seemed so nice. They took me to the India border, where they had arranged to sell me to a family. For 1½ years I worked as a house maid.
When I was only 9, I was taken to another part of India. [Devna became very emotional as she talked about this.] I had been sold to a brothel, and men told me, “This is what you will do [talking about having sex with men], or we will kill you. Your life has no value unless we can make money!”
My clothes were ripped off, and they tied my feet and legs. I refused to participate, but they forced me. As this went on, I began to feel dead inside. I knew I had no place to go. I had nothing in life.
I could not escape … I was heavily guarded, and they would beat you with sticks if you tried to get away. There was no way to escape. It was like being in hell. I was tortured and beaten very badly. Sometimes they would keep me naked in a toilet room and, at times, with no food. Other women were locked in closets, and they would not let them see the daylight. They shut them in to make them suffer.
I witnessed many deaths. When I saw girls actually die, I had so much fear … I thought that was my future too. “I will die, and they will just throw out our bodies … no one will find us.” I actually saw girls slit their wrists and sometimes die from bleeding. That was their way out.
My constant cry was, “Please, someone get me out of this place. I have no one. Somebody out there! Please rescue me out of this nightmare.”
Somehow God has kept me through all these years. I have my hope in God. I had nobody, no home, nothing. I felt useless. Who would want me? But somebody from a mission team came to rescue me, so I know there is a God.
I’m so thankful to be free today because God’s people cared.


thestream--2020-04-03--My Thoughts as I Seek God’s Will in These Times

Publisher ’ s Note : Dudley and I have been friends for 50 years , and he did the follow-up Bible teaching for hundreds of our citywide crusades .
No one has had a more positive and profound impact on my life than this man .
He hears clearly and shares thoughtfully what is revealed to him by the Holy Spirit and God ’ s infallible Word .
Please read his thoughts concerning this moment in history .
– James Robison The God who created all things did so out of a heart of love .
He made it good @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for flourishing in his creation and are equipped to manage it in partnership with him .
This is not a world randomly spinning in space without purpose , nor are we victims of unknown evil forces .
This is God ’ s world .
He has given humans the privilege and responsibility of managing it .
He has given his redeemed people the wisdom and power to equip anyone to operate in all situations .
As the church ( the redeemed ones ) does its job , the whole society improves in its @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world of possible new inventions is larger than our imaginations .
Darkness is not destined to rule .
Light will dispel it wherever there is a confrontation .
It is a narrow view that believes that the problems in our nation consist of the wrong political party being in charge .
The problems arise when the wrong spiritual kingdom operates incognito .
Jesus explained to his disciples that the kingdoms of this world succeed by ruling over each other , with each seeking to find a higher honor than the other .
His @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and sacrificing for the honor of the other .
God is doing something much larger than teaching us a few lessons on priorities and misplaced values .
This is a major interruption with threats to life that have global ramifications .
This is not just a test of our ability to hang on until the worst passes .
It is an opportunity to see God ’ s purposes in a way we ’ ve not seen in many decades , or maybe ever .
He didn ’ t casually put the crucifixion and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ history .
It is not just a part of religious history .
It can not be ignored .
Whatever God says has this dynamic in it .
The gospel message that captured Saul of Tarsus is the same message that released the light that has empowered civilization in the world .
There will be no awakening without this being the center .
It is a message that energizes recipients to engage their world with love .
When it has been diluted to cause people to run , hide , hoard , and take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Recovering the heart of the true gospel is part of what God is doing .
Death is a precursor to resurrection .
Everything that offered hope dies to be resurrected by God ’ s power to a greater hope .
Nothing worthwhile that dies stays dead .
God ’ s kingdom is about new life coming out of old .
People who really believe that offer a perspective for everyone which empowers them to walk through any circumstance .
Yes , we win , but our victory is in serving—even suffering , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Prior to the COVID-19 attack , things in some areas were beginning to flourish in the USA under the present administration .
It was undeniable even for those hesitant to give any credit to political opponents .
We were seeing more people with jobs , more respect for the dignity of life , a renewed appreciation for justice , a growing economy , and hope for peace in some hostile areas of the world .
Those who have been praying for our country can easily see how God again used flawed people and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He has repeatedly done that throughout history .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
However , the size of government was not shrinking .
It is possible that if things had continued to progress as expected , we would have erroneously concluded that right political policy would ensure human flourishing .
The role of government ( even if it is one more aligned with our convictions ) continues to play a larger role and is given credit for our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of time before others are at the controls of the huge government and human lives pay the high cost of bad ideas .
Small government is better than big government , but neither works when human hearts are fearful and greedy to control .
Even small government can only work when men and women are governed internally by a power stronger than greed .
What We Really Need We don ’ t need a spiritual awakening to just change the minds of radical progressives or right wing extremists .
We need all our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ God who loves us ; delights in our joy ; guides us in paths of righteousness ; and partners with us in blessing others .
When love for others replaces suspicion and fear , fewer laws are needed to sustain an orderly society .
Good government comes from people who are free inside .
They will honor God and bless His world .
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream .
He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures , a sought-after speaker , an engaging preacher , an effective @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works , Incense & Thunder , Glad to be Left Behind , Men In Their Own Skin , Orphans No More , When Hard Times Come , Follow Me and his latest , a children ’ s book laced with gospel truth : Shorty the Substitute Ram .

Publisher’s Note: Dudley and I have been friends for 50 years, and he did the follow-up Bible teaching for hundreds of our citywide crusades. No one has had a more positive and profound impact on my life than this man. He hears clearly and shares thoughtfully what is revealed to him by the Holy Spirit and God’s infallible Word. Please read his thoughts concerning this moment in history. — James Robison
The God who created all things did so out of a heart of love. He made it good and blessed it. We are designed for flourishing in his creation and are equipped to manage it in partnership with him. This is not a world randomly spinning in space without purpose, nor are we victims of unknown evil forces. This is God’s world.
He has given humans the privilege and responsibility of managing it. He has given his redeemed people the wisdom and power to equip anyone to operate in all situations. As the church (the redeemed ones) does its job, the whole society improves in its skill of discovery and development. The world of possible new inventions is larger than our imaginations. Darkness is not destined to rule. Light will dispel it wherever there is a confrontation.
It is a narrow view that believes that the problems in our nation consist of the wrong political party being in charge. The problems arise when the wrong spiritual kingdom operates incognito. Jesus explained to his disciples that the kingdoms of this world succeed by ruling over each other, with each seeking to find a higher honor than the other. His kingdom is built on us humbly serving and sacrificing for the honor of the other.
A Larger Perspective
God is doing something much larger than teaching us a few lessons on priorities and misplaced values. This is a major interruption with threats to life that have global ramifications. This is not just a test of our ability to hang on until the worst passes. It is an opportunity to see God’s purposes in a way we’ve not seen in many decades, or maybe ever.
He didn’t casually put the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ at the center of history. It is not just a part of religious history. It cannot be ignored. Whatever God says has this dynamic in it. The gospel message that captured Saul of Tarsus is the same message that released the light that has empowered civilization in the world. There will be no awakening without this being the center. It is a message that energizes recipients to engage their world with love. When it has been diluted to cause people to run, hide, hoard, and take, it has become a false message.
Recovering the heart of the true gospel is part of what God is doing. Death is a precursor to resurrection. Everything that offered hope dies to be resurrected by God’s power to a greater hope. Nothing worthwhile that dies stays dead. God’s kingdom is about new life coming out of old. People who really believe that offer a perspective for everyone which empowers them to walk through any circumstance. Yes, we win — but our victory is in serving, even suffering, rather than in bossing others around.
Attributing Blessings to the Wrong Source
Prior to the COVID-19 attack, things in some areas were beginning to flourish in the U.S. under the present administration. It was undeniable even for those hesitant to give any credit to political opponents. We were seeing more people with jobs, more respect for the dignity of life, a renewed appreciation for justice, a growing economy, and hope for peace in some hostile areas of the world.
Those who have been praying for our country can easily see how God again used flawed people and imperfect systems to initiate some needed change. He has repeatedly done that throughout history.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
However, the size of government was not shrinking. It is possible that if things had continued to progress as expected, we would have erroneously concluded that right political policy would ensure human flourishing. The role of government (even if it is one more aligned with our convictions) continues to play a larger role and is given credit for our success. It is just a matter of time before others are at the controls of the huge government and human lives pay the high cost of bad ideas.
Small government is better than big government, but neither works when human hearts are fearful and greedy to control. Even small government can only work when men and women are governed internally by a power stronger than greed.
What We Really Need
We don’t need a spiritual awakening to just change the minds of radical progressives or right wing extremists. We need all our eyes opened to the reality of the God who loves us, delights in our joy, guides us in paths of righteousness, and partners with us in blessing others.
When love for others replaces suspicion and fear, fewer laws are needed to sustain an orderly society. Good government comes from people who are free inside. They will honor God and bless His world.
Dudley Hall is a Senior Contributor to The Stream. He is the founder and President of Kerygma Ventures, a sought-after speaker, an engaging preacher, an effective consultant, and a trusted spiritual father. Dudley has authored several books including Grace Works, Incense & Thunder, Glad to be Left Behind, Men In Their Own Skin, Orphans No More, When Hard Times Come, Follow Me and his latest, a children’s book laced with gospel truth: Shorty the Substitute Ram.


thestream--2020-04-03--Finding New Ways to Adventure

Finding New Ways to Adventure

I ’ m guessing that right now you , like most people , are having to spend much more time at home than normal .
And , despite this being the “ digital age , ” there ’ s only so much video streaming and Facebook browsing that you can do before it gets old .
Am I right ?
That ’ s why I think it ’ s important that we find some new ways to adventure and keep life interesting .
So , with the explicit hope of inspiring you to have some fun , here are some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over this season of quarantine .
I recently saw this report out of Australia , where the shelves of a local hardware store were looking as empty as the Walmart near my house .
I myself went to a hardware store recently , and saw a fair amount of people roaming the aisles .
And that brings me to my first idea , which I ’ ve already checked off my list : Build a fire pit !
Despite living less than 10 minutes from downtown Ft. Worth , I am a big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a campfire in your backyard is an easy way to do that .
I found a $ 34 fire pit at Home Depot and “ splurged ” to grab the $ 5 bag of marble rocks that was nearby .
The result was beautiful .
You can also find portable fire pits , if you don ’ t want to dig a hole in your yard .
Just keep the hose nearby , grab some smores fixin ’ s , and you ’ re set !
( Following all local fire laws , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Window Recently , I realized that I need more nature in my life .
After all , Romans 1:20 says God reveals Himself through His creation .
And , while not everyone has a backyard for a fire pit , most people have a window .
Sadly , my house didn ’ t come with blinds .
We had to cover the windows with sheets — great for privacy , bad for views .
But I finally got some blinds up in the living room a couple weeks ago .
And just staring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( and watching the thunderstorms at night ! )
has already more than made up for the cost .
If it ’ s not a habit in your life , give it a try !
Phones , laptops and books can all move , and just glancing out the window every now and then can do wonders for your mental health — not to mention the mood-boosting benefits of natural light .
Try Out Some New Recipes I hear a lot about other people experimenting with new foods in the kitchen , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ve done too much of .
Well , I ’ ve got the time to branch out a bit more now .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
Seems like as good a time as any to pull out Mom ’ s casserole recipes … even if she ’ s moved on to the Instant Pot phase of life .
Then , there was that bomb diggity queso recipe I saw a while back .
And , a friend made @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day .
So you know I ’ m going to have to steal her recipe .
( While maintaining proper social distancing , of course . )
I may even try out some baking for the first time .
It ’ s been quite a while since the last time I made a smoothie at home .
But buying some frozen fruit packs from Walmart makes that a breeze .
( My secret to a delish smoothie ?
Sweeten it with a little bit of honey . )
What Kind of Things Do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resolution ( I use that word very lightly ) for 2020 was to hobby more .
So I ’ ve been trying to learn “ Fur Elise ” on my keyboard .
Maybe it ’ s time to actually pull some of my books off the shelf as well — or sign up for the local library online .
Or even just read through 1st and 2nd Samuel again .
There are some incredible and entertaining historical accounts in the Old Testament .
( Who says reading the Bible always has to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in there . )
I ’ m also planning to finally make a flowerbed in my front yard .
I ’ ve had several potted plants , but haven ’ t actually put them in the ground yet .
Of course , it ’ s also good to stay connected during this time .
Calling and texting friends and family .
Continuing small groups online through platforms such as Zoom and Skype , even if you can ’ t leave your house .
Playing with your kids more .
As I ’ ve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ We ’ re just going to have to find new ways to adventure in life.
” What kind of things do you like to do ?
Hopefully these ideas help you come up with some good ones of your own !

Hey there, neighbor.
I’m guessing that right now you, like most people, are having to spend much more time at home than normal. And, despite this being the “digital age,” there’s only so much video streaming and Facebook browsing that you can do before it gets old. Am I right?
That’s why I think it’s important that we find some new ways to adventure and keep life interesting. So, with the explicit hope of inspiring you to have some fun, here are some things I’m looking forward to over this season of quarantine.
Build a Fire
I recently saw this report out of Australia, where the shelves of a local hardware store were looking as empty as the Walmart near my house. I myself went to a hardware store recently, and saw a fair amount of people roaming the aisles.
And that brings me to my first idea, which I’ve already checked off my list: Build a fire pit!
Despite living less than 10 minutes from downtown Ft. Worth, I am a big advocate of getting outside. And having a campfire in your backyard is an easy way to do that. I found a $34 fire pit at Home Depot and “splurged” to grab the $5 bag of marble rocks that was nearby. The result was beautiful.
You can also find portable fire pits, if you don’t want to dig a hole in your yard. Just keep the hose nearby, grab some smores fixin’s, and you’re set! (Following all local fire laws, of course!)
Look Out the Window
Recently, I realized that I need more nature in my life. After all, Romans 1:20 says God reveals Himself through His creation. And, while not everyone has a backyard for a fire pit, most people have a window.
Sadly, my house didn’t come with blinds. We had to cover the windows with sheets — great for privacy, bad for views. But I finally got some blinds up in the living room a couple weeks ago. And just staring out at the trees in the day (and watching the thunderstorms at night!) has already more than made up for the cost.
If it’s not a habit in your life, give it a try! Phones, laptops and books can all move, and just glancing out the window every now and then can do wonders for your mental health — not to mention the mood-boosting benefits of natural light.
Try Out Some New Recipes
I hear a lot about other people experimenting with new foods in the kitchen, but it’s not something I’ve done too much of. Well, I’ve got the time to branch out a bit more now.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
Seems like as good a time as any to pull out Mom’s casserole recipes … even if she’s moved on to the Instant Pot phase of life. Then, there was that bomb diggity queso recipe I saw a while back. And, a friend made some delicious-looking burgers from scratch the other day. So you know I’m going to have to steal her recipe. (While maintaining proper social distancing, of course.) I may even try out some baking for the first time.
It’s been quite a while since the last time I made a smoothie at home. But buying some frozen fruit packs from Walmart makes that a breeze. (My secret to a delish smoothie? Sweeten it with a little bit of honey.)
What Kind of Things Do You Like to Do?
My one resolution (I use that word very lightly) for 2020 was to hobby more. So I’ve been trying to learn “Fur Elise” on my keyboard. Maybe it’s time to actually pull some of my books off the shelf as well — or sign up for the local library online. Or even just read through 1st and 2nd Samuel again. There are some incredible and entertaining historical accounts in the Old Testament. (Who says reading the Bible always has to be solemn? There are some hilarious moments in there.)
I’m also planning to finally make a flowerbed in my front yard. I’ve had several potted plants, but haven’t actually put them in the ground yet.
Of course, it’s also good to stay connected during this time. Calling and texting friends and family. Continuing small groups online through platforms such as Zoom and Skype, even if you can’t leave your house. Playing with your kids more. As I’ve been saying to my friends and family, “We’re just going to have to find new ways to adventure in life.”
What kind of things do you like to do? Hopefully these ideas help you come up with some good ones of your own!
Austin Roscoe is The Stream’s web coordinator.


thestream--2020-04-03--Americans’ Goodness Outweighs Pockets of Anti-Christian Bigotry

Though some deny it , many harbor a strong hostility toward Christians in our society , especially those who obediently wear their faith on their sleeves .
You know what they find worse than an outspoken evangelical Christian ?
An outspoken evangelical Christian who ’ s also an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump .
Talk about a perfect storm of contemptibility !
Mike Lindell , owner of MyPillow , and the Rev .
Franklin Graham fall squarely into this category .
Both are Christians .
Both support Donald Trump .
Both speak out about both .
The critics ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dreadful coronavirus crisis shows the intensity of their antipathy .
Lindell was among the CEOs Trump invited to speak at his daily coronavirus press briefing on March 30 .
Lindell announced he would convert 75 % of his manufacturing operation to produce cotton facemasks , aiming to make up to 50,000 a day by Friday .
Like so many of his fellow business leaders who are recalibrating their companies to assist the nation in crisis , Lindell praised Trump for his leadership , but he went a step further .
“ God gave @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to change the course we were on , ” said Lindell .
“ God had been taken out of our schools and lives .
A nation had turned its back on God .
And I encourage you : Use this time at home to get … back in the Word , read our Bibles and spend time with our families.
” The mainstream media could not let this stand .
“ Trump just called the ‘ My Pillow ’ guy up to the podium in the Rose Garden .
You can not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi .
“ The ‘ My Pillow Guy ’ was at the Corona Virus briefing today ?
” tweeted Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown .
“ Boy oh boy , do we need SNL this Saturday .
If this had been a SNL skit we would have thought it was fake , right ?
You can ’ t make this s*** up .
Who is going to play the ‘ my pillow guy ’ ?
” Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Look , it ’ s hard to fill up 90 minutes ’ worth of material every single day , so you need to get some sponsored materials/infomercials , ” said New York Magazine writer Jonathan Chait .
“ Trump now has the guy from My Pillow doing a campaign commercial for Trump ’ s 2020 campaign in the middle of a press conference about a deadly virus , ” said Daily Beast and CNN opinion columnist Dean Obeidallah .
“ How can any real news network air this BS ?
!
# StopAiringTrump.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ after any of the other business leaders on the stage that day .
I understand that some find it distasteful to say God directed Trump ’ s election , but should that blind them to the service Lindell is performing ?
Does Lindell ’ s vocal Christianity so thoroughly repulse them that they would reject his contribution if they could ?
It seems so , based on their reaction .
That ’ s how you know it ’ s hatred — that they would forgo his life-saving works because of his beliefs .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Franklin Graham , whose charitable relief organization , Samaritan ’ s Purse , set up a temporary hospital in New York City ’ s Central Park for coronavirus victims .
“ Franklin Graham has a long history of spewing anti-LGBTQ hate speech , and I find it extremely troubling that he and his organization are involved in our relief efforts in any way , ” New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson tweeted .
“ It ’ s a shame that the federal government has left New York with no other choice but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tweeted New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman , who also called Graham a “ notorious anti-LGBTQ pastor ” on his official Senate page .
It ’ s alarming that some are so enslaved by their prejudices that they would condemn or even refuse critical humanitarian aid .
It ’ s hard to wrap your mind around that .
But I will say that this crisis is also bringing out a spirit of grace in others , who strongly denounced the bigotry coming from those protesting Graham ’ s alleged bigotry .
The Blaze @ @ @ @ @ @ @ graceless New York officials .
“ Now we can all really see where the actual hate comes from , ” said one .
Another said : “ As a gay New Yorker , I ’ d like to sit down with them over a cup of coffee and thank them for putting themselves in harm ’ s way .
That ’ s how change of heart happens .
They are risking their lives .
We should be grateful.
” Franklin Graham ’ s response hit the right balance .
“ We do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ religion , race , sexual orientation , or economic status .
We certainly do not discriminate , and we have a decades-long track record that confirms just that , ” said Graham .
“ This is a time for all of us to unite and work together , regardless of our political views .
Let ’ s support one another during this crisis , and we pray that God will bless the efforts of all those battling this vicious virus.
” Let ’ s be aware of the regrettable negativity during these trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on — and rejoice in — the goodness dwarfing it .
Americans are a gracious people .
David Limbaugh is a writer , author and attorney .
His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity : Why the Democrats Must Not Win .
Follow him on Twitter @ davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com .

Though some deny it, many harbor a strong hostility toward Christians in our society, especially those who obediently wear their faith on their sleeves.
You know what they find worse than an outspoken evangelical Christian? An outspoken evangelical Christian who’s also an outspoken supporter of President Donald Trump. Talk about a perfect storm of contemptibility!
Outspoken Christians Under Fire
Mike Lindell, owner of MyPillow, and the Rev. Franklin Graham fall squarely into this category. Both are Christians. Both support Donald Trump. Both speak out about both.
The critics’ refusal to withhold their criticism during the dreadful coronavirus crisis shows the intensity of their antipathy.
Lindell was among the CEOs Trump invited to speak at his daily coronavirus press briefing on March 30. Lindell announced he would convert 75% of his manufacturing operation to produce cotton facemasks, aiming to make up to 50,000 a day by Friday.
Like so many of his fellow business leaders who are recalibrating their companies to assist the nation in crisis, Lindell praised Trump for his leadership, but he went a step further. “God gave us grace on Nov. 8, 2016, to change the course we were on,” said Lindell. “God had been taken out of our schools and lives. A nation had turned its back on God. And I encourage you: Use this time at home to get … back in the Word, read our Bibles and spend time with our families.”
Mainstream Media’s Outrage
The mainstream media could not let this stand. “Trump just called the ‘My Pillow’ guy up to the podium in the Rose Garden. You cannot make this stuff up,” said MSNBC anchor Ali Velshi.
“The ‘My Pillow Guy’ was at the Corona Virus briefing today?” tweeted Miami Herald reporter Julie K. Brown. “Boy oh boy, do we need SNL this Saturday. If this had been a SNL skit we would have thought it was fake, right? You can’t make this s*** up. Who is going to play the ‘my pillow guy’?”
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“Look, it’s hard to fill up 90 minutes’ worth of material every single day, so you need to get some sponsored materials/infomercials,” said New York Magazine writer Jonathan Chait.
“Trump now has the guy from My Pillow doing a campaign commercial for Trump’s 2020 campaign in the middle of a press conference about a deadly virus,” said Daily Beast and CNN opinion columnist Dean Obeidallah. “How can any real news network air this BS?! #StopAiringTrump.”
These mockers didn’t go after any of the other business leaders on the stage that day. I understand that some find it distasteful to say God directed Trump’s election, but should that blind them to the service Lindell is performing? Does Lindell’s vocal Christianity so thoroughly repulse them that they would reject his contribution if they could? It seems so, based on their reaction. That’s how you know it’s hatred — that they would forgo his life-saving works because of his beliefs.
Enslaved by Prejudice
The critics were even more disturbed by Franklin Graham, whose charitable relief organization, Samaritan’s Purse, set up a temporary hospital in New York City’s Central Park for coronavirus victims.
“Franklin Graham has a long history of spewing anti-LGBTQ hate speech, and I find it extremely troubling that he and his organization are involved in our relief efforts in any way,” New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson tweeted.
“It’s a shame that the federal government has left New York with no other choice but to accept charity from bigots,” tweeted New York state Sen. Brad Hoylman, who also called Graham a “notorious anti-LGBTQ pastor” on his official Senate page.
It’s alarming that some are so enslaved by their prejudices that they would condemn or even refuse critical humanitarian aid. It’s hard to wrap your mind around that.
A Spirit of Grace
But I will say that this crisis is also bringing out a spirit of grace in others, who strongly denounced the bigotry coming from those protesting Graham’s alleged bigotry. The Blaze quoted many who were critical of these graceless New York officials. “Now we can all really see where the actual hate comes from,” said one. Another said: “As a gay New Yorker, I’d like to sit down with them over a cup of coffee and thank them for putting themselves in harm’s way. That’s how change of heart happens. They are risking their lives. We should be grateful.”
Franklin Graham’s response hit the right balance. “We do not make distinctions about an individual’s religion, race, sexual orientation, or economic status. We certainly do not discriminate, and we have a decades-long track record that confirms just that,” said Graham. “This is a time for all of us to unite and work together, regardless of our political views. Let’s support one another during this crisis, and we pray that God will bless the efforts of all those battling this vicious virus.”
Amen, Pastor Graham. Amen.
Let’s be aware of the regrettable negativity during these trying times, but let’s focus on — and rejoice in — the goodness dwarfing it. Americans are a gracious people.
David Limbaugh is a writer, author and attorney. His latest book is Guilty by Reason of Insanity: Why the Democrats Must Not Win. Follow him on Twitter @davidlimbaugh and his website at www.davidlimbaugh.com.
COPYRIGHT 2020 CREATORS.COM


thestream--2020-04-03--An Orthodox Jew and a Messianic Jew Denounce ‘Christian’ Anti-Semitism

In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic , we all pray and guard our behaviors in order to ensure the health and safety of ourselves and of our neighbors to prevent its spreading .
Meanwhile , noted anti-Semitic “ Christian pastor ” and “ broadcaster ” Rick Wiles has proven that while there will be a cure for coronavirus , there is no cure for the older and no less deadly virus of Jew-hatred .
Most recently , Wiles said that the coronavirus is spreading via synagogues and is a punishment from God .
“ Stay out of those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in them .
God ’ s dealing with false religions , ” he said .
The broadcast on his network has become one of the leading propagators of anti-Semitism .
“ God ’ s dealing with people who oppose his son , Jesus Christ .
He ’ s dealing with the forces of Antichrist .
And there ’ s a plague moving upon the earth right now , and the people that are going into the synagogues are coming out of the synagogues with the virus.
” He also blamed Israeli Prime Minister @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Let me tell you Mr. Netanyahu , God is spreading it in your synagogues .
You ’ re under judgment because you oppose his son , the Lord Jesus Christ.
” Wiles ’ recent comments are not unique .
One might say he ’ s never met , or invented , an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that he didn ’ t like .
He ’ s gone so far as to blame the fumbled Iowa caucus results earlier this year on “ the Jews.
” Before the outbreak of the deadly virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ability of being an anti-Semitic political contortionist .
He blamed “ the Jews ” for controlling both the political right and the political left .
One glaring example is his blaming “ the Jews ” for the failure of the app that was used to count Iowa caucus votes .
However , he included the contradiction that “ the Jews ” also wanted to promote the success of openly gay , former presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg .
These are in open contradiction ( the failure of the app that was used to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well in Iowa ) .
It demonstrates how Wiles has found a way to make his anti-Semitic cake and eat it too , with a cherry on top .
And of course , he perpetuates the baseless claim , embraced by anti-Semitic adherents of replacement theology over the millennia , that “ the Jews ” killed Jesus .
Ultimately it means that all Jews through all generations are responsible for the death of Jesus .
Easter is coming — the time when Christians celebrate Jesus ’ resurrection .
Calling out “ Pastor Wiles @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critical .
He , quite horrifically , carries out his dangerous incitement in Jesus ’ name .
It ’ s the name in which countless anti-Semitic pogroms and murders have taken place .
This is the perfect time to renounce such un-Christian madness .
Wiles literally embraces the age-old anti-Semitic blood libel .
He claimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States “ started ” in March at AIPAC ’ s conference in Washington .
Perhaps Wiles is simply confused .
The first instances in the United States were reported in Washington @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fuel he needed for his conspiratorial theories .
And to add insult to injury , he does this all in the name of Jesus , himself a Jew .
He doesn ’ t promote any actual sound Christian theology .
Wiles has made himself a name with a history of overt anti-Semitic slurs .
These include blaming the “ Jewish mafia , ” the “ Jewish lobby , ” calling Jews “ deceivers , ” and Jews as both domestic and foreign “ enemies.
” In November , Wiles infamously called the effort @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Jew coup.
” As a Messianic Evangelical Jew and an Orthodox Israeli Jew , respectively , there ’ s a lot we disagree on .
But the points about which we do agree are important to highlight .
Combating anti-Semitism is one of these .
In short , Rick Wiles twists the Bible and does so in ways that are deceitful , hateful , and dangerous .
He ignores God ’ s mandate in Genesis 12:3 , “ I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ biblical truth .
In the process , he borrows concepts from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion , Mein Kampf , and other hateful anti-Semitic screeds .
Support The Stream : Serving the Body During This Crisis With Facts .
Faith .
And No Fear .
According to Wiles , “ The Jews ” are guilty .
Always .
If there ’ s a crisis in the world , blame “ the Jews.
” This a time of great and fear and apprehension , with millions of lives hanging in the balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more despicable .
Directly and indirectly , he potentially incites violence .
It is true , of course , that Christians want all non-Christians to accept Jesus as Savior .
But by singling out Judaism as the preeminent “ false religion , ” calling Jews the anti-Christ and designating all Jews “ the synagogue of Satan , ” along with singling out synagogues as the only houses of worship in which there is a plague , Wiles is , by definition , anti-Semitic .
That ’ s why he can conveniently ignore the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their worshipers have been infected .
And look the other way when Christian pastors die of the virus .
It is “ the evil Jews ” who are being judged by God .
We call upon all people of faith to join us in denouncing Wiles ’ words , condemning his anti-Semitism , and joining us as Jews and Christians in standing against this incitement .
We call upon all people of faith to stand with Israel and the Jewish people , rejecting a baseless theology that is the polar opposite of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ beginning in the Beginning .
Join us , then , in standing together and speaking out , Jews and Christians , united against the enemies of Israel , among which Wiles has set himself out as a dangerous leader .
We pray that there will be a cure and healing from the the Coronavirus , and that God will heal the hearts of people like Rick Wiles who spread a virus no less insipid , Jew hatred plain and simple .
Michael L. Brown , Ph.D. , is host of the Line of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently , of Resurrection .
Jonathan Feldstein is President and CEO of the Genesis 123 Foundation and RunforZion.com .

In the midst of the global coronavirus pandemic, we all pray and guard our behaviors in order to ensure the health and safety of ourselves and of our neighbors to prevent its spreading. Meanwhile, noted anti-Semitic “Christian pastor” and “broadcaster” Rick Wiles has proven that while there will be a cure for coronavirus, there is no cure for the older and no less deadly virus of Jew-hatred.
Rick Wiles’ Jew Hatred
Most recently, Wiles said that the coronavirus is spreading via synagogues and is a punishment from God. “Stay out of those things, there’s a plague in them. God’s dealing with false religions,” he said. The broadcast on his network has become one of the leading propagators of anti-Semitism. “God’s dealing with people who oppose his son, Jesus Christ. He’s dealing with the forces of Antichrist. And there’s a plague moving upon the earth right now, and the people that are going into the synagogues are coming out of the synagogues with the virus.”
He also blamed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu and Jewish organizations. Wiles said, “Let me tell you Mr. Netanyahu, God is spreading it in your synagogues. You’re under judgment because you oppose his son, the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Wiles’ recent comments are not unique. One might say he’s never met, or invented, an anti-Semitic conspiracy theory that he didn’t like. He’s gone so far as to blame the fumbled Iowa caucus results earlier this year on “the Jews.”
Blaming the Jews
Before the outbreak of the deadly virus, Wiles demonstrated his unique and paradoxical ability of being an anti-Semitic political contortionist. He blamed “the Jews” for controlling both the political right and the political left. One glaring example is his blaming “the Jews” for the failure of the app that was used to count Iowa caucus votes. However, he included the contradiction that “the Jews” also wanted to promote the success of openly gay, former presidential candidate Mayor Pete Buttigieg. These are in open contradiction (the failure of the app that was used to promote a candidacy of someone who did well in Iowa). It demonstrates how Wiles has found a way to make his anti-Semitic cake and eat it too, with a cherry on top.
And of course, he perpetuates the baseless claim, embraced by anti-Semitic adherents of replacement theology over the millennia, that “the Jews” killed Jesus. Ultimately it means that all Jews through all generations are responsible for the death of Jesus. Easter is coming — the time when Christians celebrate Jesus’ resurrection. Calling out “Pastor Wiles” has never been more timely or critical. He, quite horrifically, carries out his dangerous incitement in Jesus’ name. It’s the name in which countless anti-Semitic pogroms and murders have taken place. This is the perfect time to renounce such un-Christian madness.
Anti-Semitic Slurs
Wiles literally embraces the age-old anti-Semitic blood libel. He claimed that the COVID-19 outbreak in the United States “started” in March at AIPAC’s conference in Washington. Perhaps Wiles is simply confused. The first instances in the United States were reported in Washington state. But this was all the fuel he needed for his conspiratorial theories. And to add insult to injury, he does this all in the name of Jesus, himself a Jew.
He doesn’t promote any actual sound Christian theology. Wiles has made himself a name with a history of overt anti-Semitic slurs. These include blaming the “Jewish mafia,” the “Jewish lobby,” calling Jews “deceivers,” and Jews as both domestic and foreign “enemies.” In November, Wiles infamously called the effort to impeach U.S. President Donald Trump a “Jew coup.”
Combating Anti-Semitism
As a Messianic Evangelical Jew and an Orthodox Israeli Jew, respectively, there’s a lot we disagree on. But the points about which we do agree are important to highlight. Combating anti-Semitism is one of these. In short, Rick Wiles twists the Bible and does so in ways that are deceitful, hateful, and dangerous. He ignores God’s mandate in Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you and curse those who curse you.” Wiles treacherously substitutes his perverse theology for biblical truth. In the process, he borrows concepts from The Protocols of the Elders of Zion, Mein Kampf, and other hateful anti-Semitic screeds.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
According to Wiles, “The Jews” are guilty. Always. If there’s a crisis in the world, blame “the Jews.” This a time of great and fear and apprehension, with millions of lives hanging in the balance. Wiles’ rhetoric is all the more despicable. Directly and indirectly, he potentially incites violence.
It is true, of course, that Christians want all non-Christians to accept Jesus as Savior. But by singling out Judaism as the preeminent “false religion,” calling Jews the anti-Christ and designating all Jews “the synagogue of Satan,” along with singling out synagogues as the only houses of worship in which there is a plague, Wiles is, by definition, anti-Semitic.
That’s why he can conveniently ignore the churches and mosques in which many of their worshipers have been infected. And look the other way when Christian pastors die of the virus. It is “the evil Jews” who are being judged by God.
Join Us
We call upon all people of faith to join us in denouncing Wiles’ words, condemning his anti-Semitism, and joining us as Jews and Christians in standing against this incitement. We call upon all people of faith to stand with Israel and the Jewish people, rejecting a baseless theology that is the polar opposite of what God expects of all of us, beginning in the Beginning.
Join us, then, in standing together and speaking out, Jews and Christians, united against the enemies of Israel, among which Wiles has set himself out as a dangerous leader.
We pray that there will be a cure and healing from the the Coronavirus, and that God will heal the hearts of people like Rick Wiles who spread a virus no less insipid, Jew hatred plain and simple.
Michael L. Brown, Ph.D., is host of the Line of Fire radio broadcast and author, most recently, of Resurrection.
Jonathan Feldstein is President and CEO of the Genesis 123 Foundation and RunforZion.com.


thestream--2020-04-03--Citing ‘Pandering’ to China, Sen. Rick Scott Wants WHO Documents on Coronavirus

The World Health Organization should have a reckoning for parroting China ’ s misinformation about the coronavirus , taking a hit to its budget if it doesn ’ t reform , Sen. Rick Scott , R-Fla. , said Thursday in an interview with The Daily Signal .
“ Everything coming out of China has been wrong , and the WHO has said they [ the Chinese ] have done a great job , ” Scott said in the phone interview , adding that the United Nations entity “ panders to China.
” “ If the WHO had done its job @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dead , we would be further along right now , and every country would be better off , ” the Florida Republican told The Daily Signal .
Scott , a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee , the Senate ’ s chief oversight panel , said he has talked to committee Chairman Ron Johnson , R-Wis. , about an investigation of WHO , and that Johnson supports the idea .
The United States contributes 14.7 % of the World Health Organization ’ s $ 38 billion budget , while China @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % , according to WHO ’ s numbers .
Congress authorized about $ 123 million in taxpayer funding for WHO in the last fiscal year .
President Donald Trump ’ s budget request for fiscal 2021 proposes to reduce funding to about $ 58 million .
“ We could cut funding or we could tie future funding to certain changes , ” Scott said .
“ It is supposed to be the World Health Organization , world health , but it panders to China.
” Senate hearings almost certainly wouldn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , at a point when America has moved beyond the crisis point , Scott said .
But , he said , the investigation could begin by gathering information : China purposefully misled the world in underreporting the number of deaths there , three U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House , according to Bloomberg News .
“ Intelligence reports say that China had different information than what they were saying publicly , and the WTO has said it is working hand-in-hand with China , ” Scott told The Daily Signal .
During @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Wednesday on the pandemic , response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said missing data from China resulted in U.S. health officials ’ underestimating the virulence of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19 .
“ I think the medical community interpreted the Chinese data as this was serious but smaller than anyone expected , because I think probably we were missing a significant amount of the data , ” Birx said .
In a letter in February , Scott requested that WHO do its own internal investigation .
Asked about jurisdictional issues and whether subpoenas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Scott replied : “ If they don ’ t provide us with information , what does that tell us ?
… We might want to think about whether we want to invest money into that type of organization.
” The World Health Organization , an arm of the United Nations , found out Dec. 30 about the spread of a disease in Wuhan , China , thought to be pneumonia .
More than two months later , on March 11 , WHO declared the coronavirus to be a global pandemic .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s official talking points in a tweet , saying : Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus , director-general of the World Health Organization , said Jan. 30 that “ China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response.
” China backed Tedros in May 2017 when he ran for the top job at the World Health Organization .
Chinese diplomats “ worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help Tedros defeat the United Kingdom candidate for the WHO job , David Nabarro , ” Washington Post columnist Frida Ghitis wrote .
Tedros criticized the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from China as the outbreak grew .
Considering “ what he said versus reality , ” Scott said , it seems that China influenced WHO ’ s director-general .
The organization was aggressive in pushing all countries to act , Tarik Jašarevic , a WHO spokesman , previously told The Daily Signal .
“ While every country makes its decisions based on its own risk assessment and context , WHO encourages increasing testing and mobilizing government and citizens to take action to fight COVID-19 .
We call on all countries to take strong @ @ @ @ @ @ @ so can have the greatest impact , ” Jašarevic said .
“ Dr .
Tedros has helmed regular press conferences nearly daily for months — his proactive approach to communicating about the coronavirus response has been emulated by leaders in such countries as U.K. and U.S. , ” he said .
The U.S. government predicts the coronavirus pandemic could kill more than 100,000 Americans .
Live Science reported that the coronavirus had infected at least 216,722 Americans and killed 5,137 as of Thursday afternoon .
More than one-third of those deaths — 2,219 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other state had more than 400 deaths .
Florida has 7,717 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 27 deaths , according to the Florida Department of Health .
Florida ’ s other senator , Republican Marco Rubio , also has been critical of WHO ’ s ties and “ subservience ” to China .
“ Once this pandemic is under control , WHO leadership should be held to account , ” Rubio wrote Wednesday in National Review .
Scott co-sponsored legislation with Sen. James Inhofe , R-Okla. , to include Taiwan in the World @ @ @ @ @ @ @ great success in responding to COVID-19 .
It was “ disgusting , ” Scott said , how WHO ’ s assistant director-general , Bruce Aylward , refused to answer a question in a recent interview about admitting Taiwan to the organization .
WHO ’ s Jašarevic told The Daily Signal that since 1971 , countries participating in the United Nations General Assembly recognized the People ’ s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China under Resolution 2758 .
China ’ s communist government views the island nation of Taiwan as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ country .
The reputation of WHO has been severely harmed by its handling of the coronavirus pandemic , former Army intelligence officer Greg Barbaccia told The Daily Signal in a phone interview .
“ The WHO repeated the Chinese government ’ s initial talking points and undermined its [ own ] credibility , ” said Barbaccia , an expert in counterintelligence and corporate espionage .
“ China put lives at risk , not only of their own people but across the international community .
It ’ s unfortunate the WHO provided that same @ @ @ @

The World Health Organization should have a reckoning for parroting China’s misinformation about the coronavirus, taking a hit to its budget if it doesn’t reform, Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla., said Thursday in an interview with The Daily Signal.
“Everything coming out of China has been wrong, and the WHO has said they [the Chinese] have done a great job,” Scott said in the phone interview, adding that the United Nations entity “panders to China.”
“If the WHO had done its job, not as many people would be dead, we would be further along right now, and every country would be better off,” the Florida Republican told The Daily Signal.
Scott, a member of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, the Senate’s chief oversight panel, said he has talked to committee Chairman Ron Johnson, R-Wis., about an investigation of WHO, and that Johnson supports the idea.
Please Support The Stream : Equipping Christians to Think Clearly About the Political, Economic, and Moral Issues of Our Day.
The United States contributes 14.7% of the World Health Organization’s $38 billion budget, while China contributes only 0.21%, less than 1%, according to WHO’s numbers.
Congress authorized about $123 million in taxpayer funding for WHO in the last fiscal year. President Donald Trump’s budget request for fiscal 2021 proposes to reduce funding to about $58 million.
“We could cut funding or we could tie future funding to certain changes,” Scott said. “It is supposed to be the World Health Organization, world health, but it panders to China.”
Senate hearings almost certainly wouldn’t happen until late summer at the earliest, at a point when America has moved beyond the crisis point, Scott said. But, he said, the investigation could begin by gathering information:
We would try to have the [WHO] people come in for the hearings who made the decisions and tell us why they did it. There are plenty of emails we could get. I can’t imagine the internal emails will say the same thing WHO officials were saying publicly. When people say something different in internal documents than they say in public, that’s when people get in trouble.
China purposefully misled the world in underreporting the number of deaths there, three U.S. intelligence officials have told the White House, according to Bloomberg News.
“Intelligence reports say that China had different information than what they were saying publicly, and the WTO has said it is working hand-in-hand with China,” Scott told The Daily Signal.
During the White House’s press briefing Wednesday on the pandemic, response coordinator Dr. Deborah Birx said missing data from China resulted in U.S. health officials’ underestimating the virulence of the new coronavirus that causes COVID-19.
“I think the medical community interpreted the Chinese data as this was serious but smaller than anyone expected, because I think probably we were missing a significant amount of the data,” Birx said.
In a letter in February, Scott requested that WHO do its own internal investigation.
Asked about jurisdictional issues and whether subpoenas could be enforced with an international body, Scott replied: “If they don’t provide us with information, what does that tell us? … We might want to think about whether we want to invest money into that type of organization.”
The World Health Organization, an arm of the United Nations, found out Dec. 30 about the spread of a disease in Wuhan, China, thought to be pneumonia. More than two months later, on March 11, WHO declared the coronavirus to be a global pandemic.
On Jan. 14, WHO unquestioningly circulated China’s official talking points in a tweet, saying:
Preliminary investigations conducted by the Chinese authorities have found no clear evidence of human-to-human transmission of the novel #coronavirus (2019-nCoV) identified in #Wuhan, #China.
Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization, said Jan. 30 that “China is actually setting a new standard for outbreak response.”
China backed Tedros in May 2017 when he ran for the top job at the World Health Organization. Chinese diplomats “worked tirelessly behind the scenes to help Tedros defeat the United Kingdom candidate for the WHO job, David Nabarro,” Washington Post columnist Frida Ghitis wrote.
Tedros criticized the United States and other countries that blocked travel from China as the outbreak grew.
Considering “what he said versus reality,” Scott said, it seems that China influenced WHO’s director-general.
The organization was aggressive in pushing all countries to act, Tarik Jašarevic, a WHO spokesman, previously told The Daily Signal.
“While every country makes its decisions based on its own risk assessment and context, WHO encourages increasing testing and mobilizing government and citizens to take action to fight COVID-19. We call on all countries to take strong action as early as possible when doing so can have the greatest impact,” Jašarevic said.
“Dr. Tedros has helmed regular press conferences nearly daily for months — his proactive approach to communicating about the coronavirus response has been emulated by leaders in such countries as U.K. and U.S.,” he said.
The U.S. government predicts the coronavirus pandemic could kill more than 100,000 Americans.
Live Science reported that the coronavirus had infected at least 216,722 Americans and killed 5,137 as of Thursday afternoon. More than one-third of those deaths — 2,219 — were in New York.
No other state had more than 400 deaths. Florida has 7,717 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 27 deaths, according to the Florida Department of Health.
Florida’s other senator, Republican Marco Rubio, also has been critical of WHO’s ties and “subservience” to China.
“Once this pandemic is under control, WHO leadership should be held to account,” Rubio wrote Wednesday in National Review.
Scott co-sponsored legislation with Sen. James Inhofe, R-Okla., to include Taiwan in the World Health Organization, since that country had great success in responding to COVID-19.
It was “disgusting,” Scott said, how WHO’s assistant director-general, Bruce Aylward, refused to answer a question in a recent interview about admitting Taiwan to the organization.
Bruce Aylward @WHO did an interview with HK's @rthk_news When asked about #Taiwan he pretended not to hear the question. The journalist asked again & he even hung up! Woo can't believe how corrupted @WHO is. pic.twitter.com/uyBytfO3LP — Studio Incendo (@studioincendo) March 28, 2020
WHO’s Jašarevic told The Daily Signal that since 1971, countries participating in the United Nations General Assembly recognized the People’s Republic of China as the only legitimate representative of China under Resolution 2758. China’s communist government views the island nation of Taiwan as a Chinese province, not an independent country.
The reputation of WHO has been severely harmed by its handling of the coronavirus pandemic, former Army intelligence officer Greg Barbaccia told The Daily Signal in a phone interview.
“The WHO repeated the Chinese government’s initial talking points and undermined its [own] credibility,” said Barbaccia, an expert in counterintelligence and corporate espionage. “China put lives at risk, not only of their own people but across the international community. It’s unfortunate the WHO provided that same misleading information.”
Copyright 2020 The Daily Signal