The Coronavirus Thread

[Tyrannical]

Xi Jinping named chairmen of the People's Republic of Corona to distance the Chinese people from blame.

[pErvinalia]

Australian Medical Association says NSW Covid lockdown failing and urges change to AstraZeneca advice.

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-n ... eca-advice

They've changed the Pfizer schedule because of Sydney's outbreak. Moving the second jab out from 3 weeks to 6 weeks. Not happy. I wanted to be fully vaccinated as soon as possible.

[Brian Peacock]

Makes sense to get at least one jab into as many people as possible while numbers are on the rise I guess.

[JimC]

Makes sense to get at least one jab into as many people as possible while numbers are on the rise I guess.

Given the pathetic vaccine roll-out by the federal government, it is the lesser of 2 evils, I suppose...

[L'Emmerdeur]

That's a long list. You can't seem to imagine as many good reasons as I expected...

How many good reasons for vaccine hesitancy can you imagine, and what are they?

If you like, you can listen to that doctor lady, and Doc Weinstein, to hear more reasons.

My main interest was whether you guys had bothered with it.

Well now you know. You marched about waving your 'They won't tell you about ivermectin. Why?' placard and various members provided answers. Those answers were based on the scientific and medical evidence, noting the serious problems with the evidence that supposedly supports the claims of the ivermectin pushers. The self-assured pronouncements of your anti-vaccine champion of ivermectin are superfluous in the face of the evidence on record. A charitable view of this is that you were skeptical of her claims yourself, and wanted other perspectives. It appears though that you bought her snake oil spiel.

[JimC]

At least those people taking ivermectin will have been thoroughly wormed...

[rainbow]

Xi Jinping named chairmen of the People's Republic of Corona to distance the Chinese people from blame.

You're wasted here. Have you tried Standup Comedy?

[Seabass]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... tal-vaxman

Tennessee radio host doubted and mocked vaccines – now he has Covid


A conservative radio host in Tennessee who urged listeners not to get vaccinated against Covid-19 has changed track and called on listeners to get the shot, after contracting the virus and ending up in hospital in “very serious condition”.

In a statement posted to social media, Phil Valentine’s family detailed his condition and said: “Please continue to pray for his recovery and PLEASE GO GET VACCINATED!”

The family also said the WTN host had “never been an ‘anti-vaxer’”, but “regrets not being more vehemently ‘pro-vaccine’ and looks forward to being able to more vigorously advocate that position as soon as he is back on the air, which we all hope will be soon”.

Valentine, 61, did, however, play down the need for vaccines and perform a song called Vaxman, to the tune of Taxman, George Harrison’s Beatles number against government taxation.

“Let me tell you how it will be,” he sang, “and I don’t care if you agree, ‘Cause I’m the Vaxman, yeah I’m the Vaxman. If you don’t like me coming round, be thankful I don’t hold you down.”

As the Delta variant of the coronavirus fuels steep rises in cases across the US, rural and mostly Republican-run states trail in vaccination numbers and have emerged as hotspots for infection, straining health resources.

[JimC]

An almost-deathbed conversion, it would seem...

[Seabass]

Get this guy some Ivermectin, stat!

https://www.mainepublic.org/politics/20 ... s-covid-19

Maine Lawmaker Who Opposed Coronavirus Restrictions Reportedly Has COVID-19

Rep. Chris Johansen, a Republican legislator from the Aroostook County town of Monticello who has been an outspoken opponent of coronavirus restrictions, has reportedly contracted COVID-19.

In a recording shared by Mainer News contributor Crash Barry, a man alleged to be Johansen said, “Listen up, I’ve got COVID and I’m really, really sick and I just don’t have time to talk to you today.”

An #antivax anti-mask, Covid-denier #Maine State Rep and his wife both have contracted COVID-19. Chris Johansen (R-Monticello) was one of 7 GOP lawmakers who refused to wear masks during the 2021 leg session and subsequently lost their committee assignments. #mepolitics pic.twitter.com/YOctshEbuW

— Crash Barry (@Crash_Barry) July 23, 2021

When contacted by the Bangor Daily News on Friday, Johansen said “I’m not talking” and hung up the phone.

“We do not respond or comment to the press on the health of our members or staff, instead preferring to honor their privacy. We are always open to comment on legislative policy and/or legislative procedural issues should the press choose to cover that,” Kathleen Dillingham, spokesperson and House Minority Leader, said.

The lawmaker’s wife, Cindy Johansen, who is the corresponding secretary-officer for the Aroostook County Republicans, shared on social media that she is sick with COVID-19.

Neither Chris Johansen nor his wife have received a coronavirus vaccination.

Cindy Johansen posted to her Facebook on July 16 that she had not been feeling well. “Feeling like I’m going to pass out. Have passed out on garage floor, legs were like rubber,” she said.

On July 21, she posted that she was diagnosed with “covid and asthma.” She shared that it was “horrible to be alone” and that she was “going on day three,” an allusion to the required isolation of COVID-19 patients who have been admitted to a hospital.

Chris Johansen has been an outspoken opponent of state-mandated coronavirus restrictions and has organized multiple protests. In April 2020, he organized a protest in front of the Blaine House asking Democratic Gov. Janet Mills to reopen the state’s economy, as well as downplaying the damage that the spread of COVID-19 would have on communities across the country.

A second protest organized later that month flouted pandemic gathering restrictions.

Johansen was also one of seven lawmakers who refused to wear masks at the Maine State House, a requirement that was left in place even after the state’s mask mandate was lifted as coronavirus vaccination rates started to improve throughout the state. Johansen was subsequently removed from his committee position, but continued to push back against State House rules.

[JimC]

A Darwin award candidate?

[Seabass]

A Darwin award candidate?

He just needs some worm pills. He'll be fine.

[L'Emmerdeur]

A Darwin award candidate?

He just needs some worm pills. He'll be fine.

---

---

I'm unsure whether this history rhyme has been posted here or not. Click on the image for some good background from Snopes.

[BarnettNewman]

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/ ... tal-vaxman

Tennessee radio host doubted and mocked vaccines – now he has Covid


A conservative radio host in Tennessee who urged listeners not to get vaccinated against Covid-19 has changed track and called on listeners to get the shot, after contracting the virus and ending up in hospital in “very serious condition”.

In a statement posted to social media, Phil Valentine’s family detailed his condition and said: “Please continue to pray for his recovery and PLEASE GO GET VACCINATED!”

The family also said the WTN host had “never been an ‘anti-vaxer’”, but “regrets not being more vehemently ‘pro-vaccine’ and looks forward to being able to more vigorously advocate that position as soon as he is back on the air, which we all hope will be soon”.

Valentine, 61, did, however, play down the need for vaccines and perform a song called Vaxman, to the tune of Taxman, George Harrison’s Beatles number against government taxation.

“Let me tell you how it will be,” he sang, “and I don’t care if you agree, ‘Cause I’m the Vaxman, yeah I’m the Vaxman. If you don’t like me coming round, be thankful I don’t hold you down.”

As the Delta variant of the coronavirus fuels steep rises in cases across the US, rural and mostly Republican-run states trail in vaccination numbers and have emerged as hotspots for infection, straining health resources.

Another Come-to-Jesus moment. How many more waiting in the wings?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Tero]

Mercola has a new cash cow: COVID. The various foundations were already set up for measles etc.

The Northern Virginia-based National Vaccine Information Center lists Mercola.com as a partner on its homepage and links to the website, where readers can learn about and purchase Mercola’s merchandise.

Last month, Mercola wrote on his website that measles “continues to be a Trojan Horse for increasing vaccine mandates.” A page that was recently removed said that “vitamin C supplementation is a viable option for measles prevention.” Elsewhere on the site, a page about vitamin D includes the headline, “Avoid Flu Shots With the One Vitamin that Will Stop Flu in Its Tracks.”

Mercola, whose claims about other products have drawn warnings from regulators, has also given at least $4 million to several groups that echo the anti-vaccine message. His net worth, derived largely from his network of private companies, has grown to “in excess of $100 million,” he said in a 2017 affidavit.

Earlier this month, Samoan anti-vaccine activist Edwin Tamasese, who touted vitamins as an alternative to vaccination, was arrested for allegedly claiming on social media that measles vaccinations would result in mass deaths.

The FDA has taken no enforcement action against Mercola over his vaccine claims. The agency said in a statement that it has no role in approving dietary supplements or in evaluating claims about them — unless those products are purported to treat, diagnose, prevent or cure diseases and are reported to the agency as unapproved drugs. Agency officials did not answer questions about Mercola’s claims regarding vitamins C and D.

In 2016, in response to a complaint from the Federal Trade Commission, Mercola refunded nearly $2.6 million to more than 1,300 people who bought tanning beds that he claimed could reduce the risk of skin cancer. The FTC said the claims constituted a “deceptive act,” pointing out that the product could actually increase the risk of skin cancer.

In addition to the large contributions from Mercola, Fisher’s group has received financial support from Focus for Health. That foundation, funded by wealthy New Jersey businessman Barry Segal, gave Fisher’s group more than $400,000 from 2011 to 2017, according to tax records.
WP article

Mercola, the owner of a major dietary supplement brand who has promoted what he called “nearly magical” alternative treatments for the coronavirus, through a foundation donated more than $2 million over five years to the leading anti-vaccine nonprofit, the National Vaccine Information Center, tax records show. He claimed in 2017 that his net worth exceeded $100 million, according to a Washington Post investigation.

WP article..lost link
Covid era

The vaccine-skeptical corners of the internet promote the same names again and again: the Bollingers; Dr. Joseph Mercola, who runs a supplement empire while dispatching near-daily anti-vaccine missives; Erin Elizabeth Finn, Mercola’s “better half,” who markets her own line of extracts and serums while airing vaccine doubts on her Health Nut News platforms; Dr. Sherri Tenpenny, who offers a $595, eight-week course in anti-vaccine talking points despite a federal judge having found her “unqualified” to weigh in as an expert witness on a vaccine-related lawsuit (“Television interviews do not an expert make,” he wrote).

Then there’s Mike Adams, “the Health Ranger,” whose online store offers everything from organic beans to a $439 juicer to a conspiracy-heavy newsletter (a recent headline: “Their real plan: The vaccinated will die; the unvaccinated will be hunted”). And there’s Dr. Rashid Buttar, a popular anti-vaccine evangelist despite being reprimanded twice by his state’s medical board in 2010 and 2019, including for treating autism in a child he had never met with an unproven skin medication. Or Larry Cook, who claims to reach 2 million people every month and whose “Stop Mandatory Vaccination” site sells memberships for up to $299 per month, accepts advertisements and solicits donations that go to pay his personal bills. Or Dr. Christiane Northrup, who rose to fame with her New York Times-bestselling books on women’s health and menopause and in recent months told her newsletter subscribers that “powers” have “suppressed” information on how to prevent coronavirus infection, which should really be done by taking vitamins and cleaning your cell phone.

The CCDH, the misinformation-fighting nonprofit, earlier this year estimated that about 65% of the social media content containing false claims about coronavirus vaccines could be traced back to a dozen influencers, including the Bollingers. Ten of them also sell products to their followers.

“These are old-fashioned snake-oil salesmen,” said Imran Ahmed, CEO of the CCDH. “They are willing to let people suffer death, disease in order to make profits for themselves.”

Dr. Christiane Northrup’s books on women’s health were bestsellers. She now peddles misinformation about the coronavirus vaccines to her followers while promoting her products. (Eugene Gologursky/WireImage)
Northrup, for example, has more than half a million Facebook followers. She posts frequent videos of herself playing the harp, pausing to share details of her life or tidbits of health misinformation. In one recent video, she said without evidence that women who have “been around” those who have received coronavirus vaccines “suddenly the entire inside of their uterus just you know comes out,” then discussed the “[artificial intelligence] that has been put in the atmosphere by the dark ones” and an alfalfa bath she took that morning. On her website, she sells her books, audio lectures, her own line of dietary supplements and “vaginal moisturizers.” She also advertises products, such as “tea crystals,” for others who pay her for referrals, according to a disclosure on her site. Northrup attended Dartmouth Medical School in the 1970s and continues to introduce herself as a physician. But Maine records show she terminated her medical license in 2015.

Many of the anti-vaccine doctrines that Northrup and others trade in can be traced back to 1998, when British researcher Andrew Wakefield published a now-retracted and repeatedly debunked study linking the measles vaccine to autism. Fears snowballed, notoriously among affluent California parents, but also in other communities, as Somali immigrants in Minnesota and Orthodox Jews in New York began to refuse to immunize their children. Influencers such as the Bollingers and a sprinkling of celebrities embraced the anti-vaccine gospel, and the movement ballooned. A 2019 Gallup poll found that 84% of Americans thought it important to vaccinate children — down from 94% in 2001. Ten percent believed the scientifically discredited claim that vaccines cause autism, and another 46% weren’t sure.

The pandemic helped boost the influence of many of the anti-vaccine movement’s stars. CCDH found that anti-vaccine influencers gained 8 million social media followers in the first half of 2020, bringing their total to nearly 60 million by July. Social media platforms have taken steps in recent months to crack down on some of these personalities, removing certain pages or making them harder to find via searches, but much of their influence remains.

The coronavirus seems to have been good for business, too. “Warning: Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19), we are seeing record demand for this offer,” read a banner on Tenpenny’s website earlier this year, above an ad for a “hydrated zeolite” spray that promised to “fight back against heavy metals and toxins” ($79.95 for a 30-day supply).

Anti-vaccine influencers often point to pharmaceutical profits as a reason drugmakers can’t be trusted. But their own messaging is also lucrative. Cook once said he had made $40,000 in one week from sending out referral links to the Bollingers’ vaccines documentary, according to an acquaintance who preferred not to be named. He now sells $99 training videos to teach others how to make money from anti-vaccine messages. “People click over, they watch it, I make money,” he said about a link to an online anti-vaccine docuseries. “So it’s a win-win.”

Mercola, the owner of a major dietary supplement brand who has promoted what he called “nearly magical” alternative treatments for the coronavirus, through a foundation donated more than $2 million over five years to the leading anti-vaccine nonprofit, the National Vaccine Information Center, tax records show. He claimed in 2017 that his net worth exceeded $100 million, according to a Washington Post investigation.


Dr. Joseph Mercola called unproven coronavirus treatments “nearly magical” in a video aimed at his fans. His supplement empire has enabled him to donate millions to anti-vaccine nonprofits. (Screenshot)
Public Integrity reached out for comment to all the anti-vaccine influencers mentioned in this article, but only Finn and Mercola responded.

“For a matter of years I ran my website without selling one single product or carrying a single product,” Finn wrote in an April email. “I’ve never taken a single penny in donations like most health sites either (that would include most nonprofit and for-profit websites). Eventually I started a small boutique line because I couldn’t pay my team out of pocket forever.”

“Disagreeing with big pharma and the federal agencies they’ve captured is a detriment to anyone,” Mercola said in a statement. “Placing yourself in the crosshairs of these coordinated attacks is not financially or personally beneficial.”

Half of Americans have received at least one dose of coronavirus vaccine so far, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Scientists say it’s still important to reach those reluctant to get a coronavirus vaccine. Pockets of unvaccinated people could still see outbreaks, endangering the immunocompromised and those who are unable to be inoculated for medical reasons, such as those allergic to a vaccine ingredient. And the more chances the virus has to spread, the more opportunities it has to mutate.

https://publicintegrity.org/health/coro ... i-vaccine/