Who Believes the Lockdowns
Were About Science?
American Spectator,
by
David Catron
Original Article
Posted By: Garnet,
5/22/2020 4:55:10 AM
Every state and local politician who imposed lockdowns pursuant to the COVID-19 pandemic claimed their decisions were based on “the science.” In reality, they ignored the advice of leading epidemiologists, relying instead on statistical models produced by “experts” with histories of wildly inaccurate projections. The most notorious of these oracles was, of course, Neil Ferguson of Imperial College London, who claimed that coronavirus could kill 2.2 million Americans. Based on such apocalyptic predictions, combined with overcautious warnings from Beltway bureaucrats like Dr. Anthony Fauci, all but a few governors implemented economically destructive stay-at-home orders — despite the reservations of respected epidemiologists who questioned the logic of lockdowns from the beginning.
Reply 1 - Posted by:
DCGIRL 5/22/2020 5:27:56 AM (No. 418454)
I could see two weeks, but with no end in sight. It is totally political. These governors of the blue states will do anything, yes, anything to regain power in the Whitehouse. Even running their states into the ground and destroying the lives of their constituents. We need to vote republican and take our country back.
108 people like this.
Reply 2 - Posted by:
Petronius 5/22/2020 5:48:26 AM (No. 418466)
Many people are starting to admit that they believe the lockdowns were more about politics than about science.
87 people like this.
Reply 3 - Posted by:
Rinktum 5/22/2020 6:00:53 AM (No. 418477)
FTA: “ This nonsense has nothing to do with science or public health. It is, as always, about politics and power. It’s time to come out and dare them to do something about it.”
I agree wholeheartedly with the author. To reinforce my thinking, I needed nothing more than to read the edict sent out by the CDC regarding the opening of schools this fall. It is absurdity on steroids. We cannot continue to live like this. Our children deserve better. All we are offering them is fear and anxiety. Our lives are being upended for pure political lust for power. The democrats believe that this a winning strategy but reasonable Americans see it for what it is, a power play by the democrats. Clearly, they are prepared to use fear and anxiety to accomplish what they cannot at the ballot box. That is not going to work. Americans won’t stand for it.
89 people like this.
Reply 4 - Posted by:
chumley 5/22/2020 6:18:48 AM (No. 418486)
We have put republicans in total power before. What did it get us? A bunch of wimps who hide under their beds and whine that the votes aren't there, and who give the dems anything they want and get nothing in return. We have played that game over and over and with the exception of the Gingrich years, they have always been a disappointment if not a flat out betrayal. The republican party is run by traitors such as McCain and Romney, and I see no change in sight.
They are on the same road headed toward the same cliff as the democrats, they are just using a different lane.
66 people like this.
Reply 5 - Posted by:
gwholmessr 5/22/2020 6:22:17 AM (No. 418487)
This is corrupt politics. Not only with the left but with China and I have to think you would find Soros in there somewhere. The third time a charm phrase comes to my mind, they tried with impeachment, Russia collusion and the virus. This will back fire big on them. I don’t care which side of the aisle a person is on, you don’t mess with their money and freedom.
42 people like this.
Reply 6 - Posted by:
Sunhan65 5/22/2020 6:25:17 AM (No. 418488)
This is an essential article. Must Read, please.
16 people like this.
PLANDEMIC
31 people like this.
pan-dem-ic
dem-panic
This may not have been initiated by the left, but they have definitely exploited it to their advantage.
If they have their way, we will be locked up until we mail in our vote on November 3rd. They will not have their way!!!
I hope the whole stinking map turns red, as a result of their tyrannical power grab. We need to change the color of blue to a soft pastel to better reflect their aura.
34 people like this.
Reply 9 - Posted by:
dcbroome 5/22/2020 7:36:50 AM (No. 418531)
Does anyone have another link in order to read this article? I've reached my limit at American Spectator and cannot access this article.
6 people like this.
First it was Russia, Russia, Russia.
Then it was Ukraine, Ukraine, Ukraine.
Then it was Impeachment, Impeachment, Impeachment.
Now it's You All Are Going To Die While We Lock Down And Kill The Economy.
All because they can't stand Donald Trump.
Sick Bastards.
77 people like this.
Reply 11 - Posted by:
planetgeo 5/22/2020 8:00:52 AM (No. 418558)
FTA: "The likely result would be not just a depression but a complete economic breakdown, with countless permanently lost jobs..."
This has been the Democrats' desired, and now planned, outcome from the start. The #resistance on steroids. They had been talking openly about finding ways to destroy President Trump's crowning achievement, the outstanding economy and the historically low unemployment, particularly for minorities. The Democrats just couldn't allow that to continue up to the election. The virus gave them the golden opportunity to wreck it just in time. And they gleefully and sadistically took it.
The "science" they used as the excuse not only doesn't support their strict lockdown actions, but in fact confirms that it is targeted and politically motivated. The fatality rates are statistically NOT extraordinary. The most severely affected populations (very aged, multiple co-morbidities, compromised immune systems, etc.) are NOT the general population, and most certainly not the population that makes our economy run. The latter point is confirmed daily in grocery stores, big box retail stores, gas stations, delivery services, AND pet revenue-generating businesses of Democrat governments (liquor stores and lottery outlets). Clearly, NONE of those businesses have been ravaged or even materially affected.
Why would any other business be any worse affected if they took similar precautions? Answer: They wouldn't. This isn't just a "lockdown", it's a siege. End it.
38 people like this.
Reply 12 - Posted by:
stablemoney 5/22/2020 8:14:36 AM (No. 418574)
First of all, the Democrats want Trump supporters dead, so I don't think it is about our health. Secondly, the article outlines common sense strategies of first finding out what you are faced with, then considering the options, instead of panicking and imposing a nationwide lockdown. It is the biggest and stupidest mistake in history. And the politicians that have done it are going to be held accountable at the election box. I definitely remember your names and I am going to the polls to specifically vote against you. I would support local and state recall elections to get rid of the lockdown crowd. By the way, the lockdown crowd can take their masks, social distancing, vaccines, Gates and Soroses, and pack it off somewhere else.
23 people like this.
Reply 13 - Posted by:
HotRod 5/22/2020 8:25:43 AM (No. 418589)
Corrupt politicians and charlatans like to use models as justification for their actions because people, especially young people, tend to have faith in technology- even that which they don't understand. The predictions of models are impossible to refute until time passes, during which the corrupt politicians and charlatans can do their damage.
15 people like this.
Reply 14 - Posted by:
Anti_democRAT 5/22/2020 8:28:50 AM (No. 418591)
the best i can tell in my state we are still mostly locked down by governor inslee who says we are allowed to do this or not allowed to do that yet we only have 242 covid patients taking hospital beds through out the state. i agree this is about politics and power. i reported gov inslee to the doj civil rights division yesterday.
24 people like this.
Reply 15 - Posted by:
gone2pot 5/22/2020 8:33:26 AM (No. 418595)
Well, at least the Nigerian prince was able to run a REAL scam on Washington state and swindle them out of hundreds of millions dedicated for unemployment payments. You can check it out at ZeroHedge. For Washington state, the lockdown is certainly not about science. It's about Blue stupidity.
19 people like this.
#10, no-one could have said it better.
12 people like this.
Reply 17 - Posted by:
Strike3 5/22/2020 8:45:07 AM (No. 418608)
It's about the same kind of science that climate change is, made up to fit the agenda. It's always defined by the age old question, Cui bono, Who Profits?
Like climate change, the Bat Fru has backfired. Democrats were already on a course to lose the presidency again as well as a bunch of state, local and city offices because people have seen a comparison of democrat philosophy compared to real leadership and they like jobs and prosperity better than what Barack brought them. The last three months have served to magnify their failures and the Lockdown is their final act of desperation.
23 people like this.
Reply 18 - Posted by:
Bassman1911 5/22/2020 8:53:28 AM (No. 418622)
#4 Chumley, you are spot on. Republicans have been the biggest disappointment in the history of American politics. No matter which party wins or looses they still keep their jobs and their benefits. There’s no incentive for them to do a better job. They’re still in Washington no matter what happens.
19 people like this.
Reply 19 - Posted by:
MDConservative 5/22/2020 9:02:01 AM (No. 418632)
There were Red and Blue government officials who got sucked in by the hysteria. several are now doubling-down, others are "re-opening" furiously. In any case, it was all about "flattening the curve", and that was accomplished by the heroic public and the indefatigable medical and health care superheroes. They even got flyovers! Yay, us!!
I won't matter what is said or done...we're all heroes now, and you can't take that away.
13 people like this.
Reply 20 - Posted by:
bigfatslob 5/22/2020 9:14:36 AM (No. 418645)
The best model if the 'scientist' wanted one or was looking is Florida. With the population and fluid movement of people in and out look how DeSantis handled it and won. The best thing President Trump did was cease air travel form China and global hot spots. This is all political with democrats making the most of the 'summer cold'. Blue state governors are going to kill their states like the one I live in, New Mexico.
22 people like this.
Reply 21 - Posted by:
rytwng 5/22/2020 9:14:40 AM (No. 418646)
Were the Socialist Democrats working with China to invent this virus? All about getting Trump.
15 people like this.
Reply 22 - Posted by:
EQKimball 5/22/2020 9:30:57 AM (No. 418677)
#9, clear your history on your computer.
7 people like this.
Reply 23 - Posted by:
qr4j 5/22/2020 9:39:48 AM (No. 418688)
I don't trust the government. It is part of my American DNA. When Democrats are in charge, I trust the government exponentially less.
13 people like this.
Reply 24 - Posted by:
TCloud 5/22/2020 9:57:51 AM (No. 418705)
I have always thought that Dems could go as far as attempting an Economic Coup d' Etat even after the failed Russian hoax to bring down a duly elected President of the United States. We are defined in the US by our Politics and we all know that. Capitalism vs. Socialism.
15 people like this.
Reply 25 - Posted by:
Lawsy0 5/22/2020 10:01:51 AM (No. 418707)
Gov. Cuomo is to be held accountable for the nursing home stuffing of NY patients with the virus; Dr. Tony Fauci is responsible for every death everywhere else. That includes those who weren't treated in time, all those who became depressed and killed someone (that's a two-fer) and many who were forced to self-quarantine, and the grieving of elderly people in care facilities who could not see their families..
The mayor of my city is responsible for the destruction and/or the withholding of MY First Amendment rights to worship and I will not ever forget that he took part in the anti-Christ tactic of the enemy of my Creator. I blame myself for holding on to the belief that local authorities are to be obeyed.
18 people like this.
Reply 26 - Posted by:
Dodge Boy 5/22/2020 10:04:19 AM (No. 418710)
The people who believe the lockdowns are about the science are the same ones who believe in the socialist utopia.
14 people like this.
Reply 27 - Posted by:
snowoutlaw 5/22/2020 10:20:50 AM (No. 418726)
The first thing Red China did was lock down so of course our leftist had to do the same.
11 people like this.
Reply 28 - Posted by:
Arby 5/22/2020 11:04:25 AM (No. 418759)
The dims always claim that it's about the science. They don't know jack about science. They believe in Karl Marx, for God's sake. That's bad poetry, not science, no matter how much old Uncle Karl may claim to be scientific. If the dims are involved, it's about power. It's about control over others. It's about giving nonentities the chance to rise to a position of faux authority that they have not earned. It's about making functionaries think that they're learned and wise. "I can order you to stay at home; I must be someone really, really, really important." Ultimately it's about lampreyism. People who don't make a positive contribution to society control those who do. They latch onto other peoples' success and suck out its lifeblood.
12 people like this.
Reply 29 - Posted by:
Ketchuplover 5/22/2020 11:37:41 AM (No. 418781)
# 9, you need to clear the "cookies" on your computer.
2 people like this.
Reply 30 - Posted by:
HisHandmaiden 5/22/2020 11:48:51 AM (No. 418796)
There is a silver lining through all this, led by our President and team: America and DC realize our previous global out-sourcing to NATO countries and especially China, was the wrong path begun years ago [Clinton/China] and is totally wrong for America!
Read somewhere that the Iran “deal” last administration was the final straw that sealed DJT’s decision to run in 2016.
Thankfully, he’d been preparing all his life!
KAG
11 people like this.
Reply 31 - Posted by:
agrunt 5/22/2020 12:11:00 PM (No. 418815)
I believe that at the start when we really knew next to nothing and the "experts" painted a picture of gloom and doom, we acted correctly. However that time is past. It was explained, by experts, that our hospitals would be overwhelmed if we did not do as they ask. We did and the data showed that the expectations were wrong. It would not be good, but anywhere as bad as thought. We now have data and we should not react to the cry of those that were incorrect in their assumptions. It is past time to let our people go.
7 people like this.
Reply 32 - Posted by:
DVC 5/22/2020 1:46:08 PM (No. 418903)
I object to the '20-20 hindsight' geniuses now saying that it 'obviously' wasn't necessary to lock down.
Dammit - it was NOT obvious at the time.
Things are ALWAYS clearer after they have transpired.
Regardless of our current view, at the time the Imperial College pandemic model was widely considered to be a credible estimate of where things might go if we did nothing. And, since we DIDN'T 'run that experiment' by doing nothing, nobody will EVER know what might have happened without the lockdown. You cannot prove what "would have happened", that time line is GONE.
It is entirely probable that the death rate in other states with dense populations would have been far, far higher than they have been. It is reasonable to believe that lower density states would have had lower numbers of cases, lower deaths than the poor subway/commuter train ant colony dwellers in the NE.
And, with the benefit of hindsight, most states FAILED to do what was most important - ensure proper staff training, PPE and isolation of the people in long term care facilities. This was proven by Florida's nearly perfect execution of that, which should be a permanent model of what you do to protect the elderly in LTCFs when this stuff happens. Cuomo's incompetence killed seven times as many people per capita than in Fla.
I am already pretty tired of ---
1) the lockdown - it is time to just back off and let things go back to normal
2) the "Karens" who are out there pushing for unending control of people's behavior, apparently forever and
3) all the "brilliant" 20-20 hindsight experts telling us now what we should have done, but which we had no possible way to know to do at the time.
2 people like this.
Reply 33 - Posted by:
Samsquanch 5/22/2020 2:17:16 PM (No. 418932)
This whole scenario was created years ago, they did a whole "table top" plan back in 2017. Nothing on this scale just comes out of the blue.
3 people like this.
Reply 34 - Posted by:
Blue-Z-Anna 5/22/2020 2:24:58 PM (No. 418940)
Dems "Yell 'FIRE' in a crowded theatre" once again.
Once your debate opponent abandons logic and evidence......there was a time when the debate was over and 'You Win'.
....and we were 'Makin' Thunderbirds'.
1 person likes this.
Reply 35 - Posted by:
BillW. 5/22/2020 2:47:27 PM (No. 418960)
What began as pandemic management quickly became the Dems exercising Alinsky Crisis Control.
3 people like this.
Reply 36 - Posted by:
lost 5/22/2020 3:20:21 PM (No. 418994)
When science believes in God then I might believe in science. We are led to believe that some unknown process happened to create our existence, but bang! They hit a dead end and say they cannot see the "singularity" it is right in plain sight, they must not be able to read.
1 person likes this.
Reply 37 - Posted by:
Sunhan65 5/22/2020 5:06:04 PM (No. 419052)
#32, I read your replies very carefully and, on rare occasions when my answer disagrees with yours, I re-check my math before sharing my views. That is, hopefully respectfully, what I am doing now.
I agree with #11 and have been trying to make similar points for some time. The alarming numbers we saw initially (4% fatalities) were never the "death rate." They were the number of tested patients who died. It was clear early on that testing was focusing on those with most urgent need -- i.e. those who were either already sick or feared they soon would be.
It was also clear, even at that early stage, that this was not an accurate way to assess overall risk. Responsible commentators pointed out at the time that what we really needed to know was the number of people exposed versus the number who die. Many indicators have been pointing to a lower death rate for some time. And it has been clear from the beginning that some groups were at much higher risk and others dramatically less so. For example, the Covid risk to (and from) otherwise healthy children was extremely low. Locking everyone down despite this data was unprecedented.
Lastly (and then I promise I will get out of your way), the lockdown was not based on the premise that it would save lives by preventing people from becoming infected. It was based on the idea that it would prevent people from becoming infected too quickly and overwhelming our medical capabilities. The "Experts" factored the lockdown into their dire predictions. Ferguson was still predicting 1.1 million US deaths with the lockdown in place. That's because he's an idiot and always has been.
This was a tragic mistake. That it was largely well-intentioned and unintentional doesn't make it any less tragic.
0 people like this.
You will never convince me it was about anything but stopping the election. Soros has his hands in everything and we are just pawns to him. Like a social experiment. Follow the money. Find the friends. Fauci and Soros go way back.
1 person likes this.