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1/many
Last weekend I escaped to Florida from Massachusetts, the fascist hellhole I am cursed to call home.
Everything you have heard is true. They have real people there, not the zombies that people the blue wastelands.
People smile, they laugh, they acknowledge you. Join me
Last weekend I escaped to Florida from Massachusetts, the fascist hellhole I am cursed to call home.
Everything you have heard is true. They have real people there, not the zombies that people the blue wastelands.
People smile, they laugh, they acknowledge you. Join me
2/n
I was in Miami, where there is a mask mandate which is mercifully unenforceable. On the boardwalk, 75% of people were un-masked. In town 50% of people on the sidewalks were un-masked. Miami has lower activity than much of the state, at 60% of normal https://cai.burbio.com/countyoverview/
I was in Miami, where there is a mask mandate which is mercifully unenforceable. On the boardwalk, 75% of people were un-masked. In town 50% of people on the sidewalks were un-masked. Miami has lower activity than much of the state, at 60% of normal https://cai.burbio.com/countyoverview/
3/n
It was enough for humanity-starved soul like me.
The restaurants were packed, no plexi-glass in sight, and only those catering to the most affluent (and hence âliberalâ) appeared to have any reduced capacity at all.
It was enough for humanity-starved soul like me.
The restaurants were packed, no plexi-glass in sight, and only those catering to the most affluent (and hence âliberalâ) appeared to have any reduced capacity at all.
4/n
But the bars. My god, the bars. Inside, outside, it didnât matter. People were alive. COVID-âcourtesyâ was forgotten. People forgot your potential contagion and pushed passed you to order a drink. Random strangers butted into your conversations. It wasâŠnormal.
But the bars. My god, the bars. Inside, outside, it didnât matter. People were alive. COVID-âcourtesyâ was forgotten. People forgot your potential contagion and pushed passed you to order a drink. Random strangers butted into your conversations. It wasâŠnormal.
5/n
I found myself excited by the smallest things⊠Water fountains that worked. People who stopped to help me up without a momentsâ pause when I tripped on my 5â heels.
I found myself excited by the smallest things⊠Water fountains that worked. People who stopped to help me up without a momentsâ pause when I tripped on my 5â heels.
6/n
One of the things that struck me more than anything was resident Miamiansâ ability to do something as normal as being catty. I was so bemused talking to a woman who was complaining about how fake people there wereâŠ
One of the things that struck me more than anything was resident Miamiansâ ability to do something as normal as being catty. I was so bemused talking to a woman who was complaining about how fake people there wereâŠ
7/n
It made me realize the social riches we used to enjoy, and that they still enjoy. The ability not just to be around people, but to be exposed to such a surfeit of humanity that you might have the luxury of choosing with whom you wanted to associate, or not.
It made me realize the social riches we used to enjoy, and that they still enjoy. The ability not just to be around people, but to be exposed to such a surfeit of humanity that you might have the luxury of choosing with whom you wanted to associate, or not.
8a/n
She talked about how nice it was to be around someone ânormal.â I told her I felt the same way⊠And didnât mention that now I was just happy to be around anyone at all.
She talked about how nice it was to be around someone ânormal.â I told her I felt the same way⊠And didnât mention that now I was just happy to be around anyone at all.
8b/n
Itâs probably worth noting, that the world is truly a bizarre place when you go to Miami in search of ânormal,â or take comfort in being called ânormalâ by someone from Miami.
But this is where we are, a world where Florida is a shining ray of hope for humanity.
Itâs probably worth noting, that the world is truly a bizarre place when you go to Miami in search of ânormal,â or take comfort in being called ânormalâ by someone from Miami.
But this is where we are, a world where Florida is a shining ray of hope for humanity.
8c/n
I know that sounds snarky, but itâs not meant to. What most people donât know was that one of the chief goals of the Enlightenment, was to move people away from the bloody âhigherâ pursuits of glory (war) and âimprovement of humanityâ (evangelism, usually coupled with war)
I know that sounds snarky, but itâs not meant to. What most people donât know was that one of the chief goals of the Enlightenment, was to move people away from the bloody âhigherâ pursuits of glory (war) and âimprovement of humanityâ (evangelism, usually coupled with war)
8d/n
And towards the more pedestrian (and much less bloody) focus of their selves, and simply tending to their own garden (re: Candide), their own happiness & family--their own "petty" concerns. Those Enlightenment peeps, they were onto something. And FL is a perfect example.
And towards the more pedestrian (and much less bloody) focus of their selves, and simply tending to their own garden (re: Candide), their own happiness & family--their own "petty" concerns. Those Enlightenment peeps, they were onto something. And FL is a perfect example.
9/n
All right, enough with Voltaire et al, back to the topic.
Our new friends, she from Romania, he from, Argentina invited us to an Asado the next time we came down.
Naturally, our flights are already booked, and I am looking forward to the chimichurri.
All right, enough with Voltaire et al, back to the topic.
Our new friends, she from Romania, he from, Argentina invited us to an Asado the next time we came down.
Naturally, our flights are already booked, and I am looking forward to the chimichurri.
10/n
Some people will now be spluttering âThatâs why things are so bad in Florida!!â The data tell a different story.
With our universal outdoor mask mandate (in MA) enforced by the social distance stazi and mask mafia, we perform WORSE on every single metric.
@GovRonDeSantis
Some people will now be spluttering âThatâs why things are so bad in Florida!!â The data tell a different story.
With our universal outdoor mask mandate (in MA) enforced by the social distance stazi and mask mafia, we perform WORSE on every single metric.
@GovRonDeSantis
11/n
In the face of this data, others will say âpeople still mask in FL.â
Eh not really⊠self-reported masking is @ 90%, but thatâs not the truth (thank god)--even in Miami--as evidenced by the video above, and the packed bars and restaurants.
In the face of this data, others will say âpeople still mask in FL.â
Eh not really⊠self-reported masking is @ 90%, but thatâs not the truth (thank god)--even in Miami--as evidenced by the video above, and the packed bars and restaurants.
12/n
Floridians are more active, more human than âpeopleâ in Massachusetts by every single metric. And yet MA continues to have equal or higher cases, deaths and hospitalizations
Floridians are more active, more human than âpeopleâ in Massachusetts by every single metric. And yet MA continues to have equal or higher cases, deaths and hospitalizations
13/n
Why? Because the tools our public health officials have told us to use to âstop the spreadâ do not work. And they are perfectly aware of it.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article?fbclid=IwAR0B5G7uCEL5gOKB989joPmiH75VfzGsFdlUl0QSIsd3wET3uxGZl7Bf120
Why? Because the tools our public health officials have told us to use to âstop the spreadâ do not work. And they are perfectly aware of it.
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/eid/article/26/5/19-0994_article?fbclid=IwAR0B5G7uCEL5gOKB989joPmiH75VfzGsFdlUl0QSIsd3wET3uxGZl7Bf120
14/n
If you question the accuracy of that statement, take a few seconds to watch how cases explode in-step with increasing mask usage.
Masking on LH, Cases on RH
If you question the accuracy of that statement, take a few seconds to watch how cases explode in-step with increasing mask usage.
Masking on LH, Cases on RH
14b/n
This is not because masks increase spread (though aerosolization of larger droplets makes this a possibility), but because masksâespecially cloth masks--do nothing against .009- 0.3 micron
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252
This is not because masks increase spread (though aerosolization of larger droplets makes this a possibility), but because masksâespecially cloth masks--do nothing against .009- 0.3 micron
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acsnano.0c03252
14c/n
This is because, like all respiratory viruses, infections are driven almost exclusively by seasonality, or more specifically decreases in vitamin D (particularly acute in darker-complected people, due to melanin down-regulating vit. D production).
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3862236?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents
This is because, like all respiratory viruses, infections are driven almost exclusively by seasonality, or more specifically decreases in vitamin D (particularly acute in darker-complected people, due to melanin down-regulating vit. D production).
https://www.jstor.org/stable/3862236?seq=5#metadata_info_tab_contents
14d/n
If you doubt me on this, check out @ianmSC @Hold2LLC @kylamb8 . Or simply identify other states or countries in your latitude, and check their cases (and deaths), & note the confluence.
Or check NOAA climactic groupings (thx sempre @ifihadastick) https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZjNjOGFhMWEtOWZhZi00OTE5LTlmY2QtODg1YTIxZjhjYzEwIiwidCI6IjQ4ZGIxMmFjLTVkYzMtNGQ1MS05N2VkLTVhM2RkZTYxOTlmYyJ9
If you doubt me on this, check out @ianmSC @Hold2LLC @kylamb8 . Or simply identify other states or countries in your latitude, and check their cases (and deaths), & note the confluence.
Or check NOAA climactic groupings (thx sempre @ifihadastick) https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiZjNjOGFhMWEtOWZhZi00OTE5LTlmY2QtODg1YTIxZjhjYzEwIiwidCI6IjQ4ZGIxMmFjLTVkYzMtNGQ1MS05N2VkLTVhM2RkZTYxOTlmYyJ9
15/n
There is quite literally not a single thing that we have been asked to do that has any ability to slow the virus. But these human interventions CANâand DOâmake things worse. And once again, they know it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652751/
There is quite literally not a single thing that we have been asked to do that has any ability to slow the virus. But these human interventions CANâand DOâmake things worse. And once again, they know it.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652751/
16/n
The comparison between Massachusetts and Florida provides a perfect case study. The results of:
1) forcing Cv19+ patients back into nursing homes
and
2) harsh lockdowns that protected the rich and infected the poor were disastrous.
https://www.thepragmatist.co/post/lockdowns-systemic-racism-in-action
The comparison between Massachusetts and Florida provides a perfect case study. The results of:
1) forcing Cv19+ patients back into nursing homes
and
2) harsh lockdowns that protected the rich and infected the poor were disastrous.
https://www.thepragmatist.co/post/lockdowns-systemic-racism-in-action
17/n
To visualize this, you have to look at deaths on a population basis, BY AGE GROUP
Doing so, excess deaths are virtually imperceptible <65. In FL, even above 65, deaths are not much higher than prior flu years. In MA deaths begin to skyrocket THE DAY lockdowns start.
To visualize this, you have to look at deaths on a population basis, BY AGE GROUP
Doing so, excess deaths are virtually imperceptible <65. In FL, even above 65, deaths are not much higher than prior flu years. In MA deaths begin to skyrocket THE DAY lockdowns start.
18/n
This is exactly the phenomenon that Dr. Lipsitch described in his article, and why the @GBDeclaration advocated for #Focused protection. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652751/
This is exactly the phenomenon that Dr. Lipsitch described in his article, and why the @GBDeclaration advocated for #Focused protection. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2652751/
19/n
In order to see the other age groups weâll look at deaths/million by overall population. Doing so we see deaths are not elevated AT ALL in MA or FL below 45.
45-65 shows levels slightly above prior flus.
The real difference between nature & human intervention.
In order to see the other age groups weâll look at deaths/million by overall population. Doing so we see deaths are not elevated AT ALL in MA or FL below 45.
45-65 shows levels slightly above prior flus.
The real difference between nature & human intervention.
20/n
If you look at the year-over-year graphs, you see that some of the deaths in FL may even have been catch up deaths from mild flus in prior years (deaths increase there due to population increases). The same is not true in MA, w/flat, and now decreasing pop (thx @MassGov)
If you look at the year-over-year graphs, you see that some of the deaths in FL may even have been catch up deaths from mild flus in prior years (deaths increase there due to population increases). The same is not true in MA, w/flat, and now decreasing pop (thx @MassGov)
21/n
This chart also shows how absolutely insane the guidance is from the CDC to vaccinate ANYONE BUT those over 65. In both states, deaths have returned to baseline levels for all ages below 65. Yet MA has wasted 87.8% of its vaxs on <70. Where FL has used 72.8% on 65+.
This chart also shows how absolutely insane the guidance is from the CDC to vaccinate ANYONE BUT those over 65. In both states, deaths have returned to baseline levels for all ages below 65. Yet MA has wasted 87.8% of its vaxs on <70. Where FL has used 72.8% on 65+.
22/n
This is despite the fact that MA is seeing a steeper rise in deaths in 85+, again likely due to harsh restrictions, including our universal mask mandate, that remove low-risk people from the virusâ path, driving it to the vulnerable.
FL on LH, MA on RH (see prior tweet)
This is despite the fact that MA is seeing a steeper rise in deaths in 85+, again likely due to harsh restrictions, including our universal mask mandate, that remove low-risk people from the virusâ path, driving it to the vulnerable.
FL on LH, MA on RH (see prior tweet)
23/n
The United Nationsâ Covenant on Civil and Political rights, states that it is incumbent on any government imposing disease control measures to utilize the âleast restrictive meansâ available to effectively achieve the public health goal.
What IS our public health âgoalâ?
The United Nationsâ Covenant on Civil and Political rights, states that it is incumbent on any government imposing disease control measures to utilize the âleast restrictive meansâ available to effectively achieve the public health goal.
What IS our public health âgoalâ?
24/n
If you are going to say, âoh but what about cases and hospitalizationsâ, trust me the numbers square there, too. Now that the disease appears to be endemic nearly everywhere, there is no difference, no matter how strict or how loose the measures.
If you are going to say, âoh but what about cases and hospitalizationsâ, trust me the numbers square there, too. Now that the disease appears to be endemic nearly everywhere, there is no difference, no matter how strict or how loose the measures.
25/n
If you want to say hospitals are over-run, sorry to be the bearer of good news, they're not.
~80% of beds occupied, of which COVID patients are a minority and after significant staffing cuts.
ICUs are @ 85%
Both normal to low
Check YOUR area here
https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiODMzMWUxODEtNzMyNy00NWJjLWIzNTktYzJiZGMxMjFiMTgyIiwidCI6IjQ4ZGIxMmFjLTVkYzMtNGQ1MS05N2VkLTVhM2RkZTYxOTlmYyJ9
If you want to say hospitals are over-run, sorry to be the bearer of good news, they're not.
~80% of beds occupied, of which COVID patients are a minority and after significant staffing cuts.
ICUs are @ 85%
Both normal to low
Check YOUR area here
https://app.powerbi.com/view?r=eyJrIjoiODMzMWUxODEtNzMyNy00NWJjLWIzNTktYzJiZGMxMjFiMTgyIiwidCI6IjQ4ZGIxMmFjLTVkYzMtNGQ1MS05N2VkLTVhM2RkZTYxOTlmYyJ9
26/n
Actually, itâs even better than that. In Boston, at least, the director of MGH notes that ~30% of âCOVID patientsâ are not there for COVID, but were tested, and tested positive, mostly w/o symptoms. (Though they still get the COVID reimbursement bump) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/04/business/massachusetts-hospitals-filling-with-covid-patients-still-have-space-more/
Actually, itâs even better than that. In Boston, at least, the director of MGH notes that ~30% of âCOVID patientsâ are not there for COVID, but were tested, and tested positive, mostly w/o symptoms. (Though they still get the COVID reimbursement bump) https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/12/04/business/massachusetts-hospitals-filling-with-covid-patients-still-have-space-more/
27/n
Given all of this, why are we persisting in these society- children-destroying efforts to stop the spread of a disease that we cannot stop? A disease with such a highly stratified risk profile, that when we try to stop it, kills the very people we are supposed to protect?
Given all of this, why are we persisting in these society- children-destroying efforts to stop the spread of a disease that we cannot stop? A disease with such a highly stratified risk profile, that when we try to stop it, kills the very people we are supposed to protect?
28/n
Unfortunately, I believe the answer, is that it is an awareness by politicians, public health officials and the media that their alarmism, their non-pharmaceutical interventions, are directly responsible for those horrible spikes in deaths, for those mountains of corpses.
Unfortunately, I believe the answer, is that it is an awareness by politicians, public health officials and the media that their alarmism, their non-pharmaceutical interventions, are directly responsible for those horrible spikes in deaths, for those mountains of corpses.
29/n
Thus, they continue to fan the flames of fear for low-risk groups, saying âEveryone is at riskââthough they know it is false
The CDCâs most recent estimate is that 81 million people had COVID thru December for the following est. mortality rates
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/burden.html
Thus, they continue to fan the flames of fear for low-risk groups, saying âEveryone is at riskââthough they know it is false
The CDCâs most recent estimate is that 81 million people had COVID thru December for the following est. mortality rates
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-updates/burden.html
30/n
Another reason may be that many of the people making and encouraging adherence to these policies are not only NOT harmed by them, but are benefiting from themâgreatly.
I have many friends who unashamedly say this has been the best year for them EVER. https://twitter.com/PhilWMagness/status/1352298738514059265
Another reason may be that many of the people making and encouraging adherence to these policies are not only NOT harmed by them, but are benefiting from themâgreatly.
I have many friends who unashamedly say this has been the best year for them EVER. https://twitter.com/PhilWMagness/status/1352298738514059265
31/n
There are real costs to keeping the fiction alive that we are all at-risk.
1)Harsher measures appear to drive the virus to the vulnerable.
2)Fear also drives school closuresâdespite 0 relationship between open schools and case transmission.
There are real costs to keeping the fiction alive that we are all at-risk.
1)Harsher measures appear to drive the virus to the vulnerable.
2)Fear also drives school closuresâdespite 0 relationship between open schools and case transmission.
32/n
There DOES appear to be a relationship between school closures and the belief in these twin fictions:
1) we can control the virus
2) we are all at significant risk from this virus.
"Maskiness" in September, appears to be a near perfect indicator of school opening.
There DOES appear to be a relationship between school closures and the belief in these twin fictions:
1) we can control the virus
2) we are all at significant risk from this virus.
"Maskiness" in September, appears to be a near perfect indicator of school opening.
33/n
While masking differences have purportedly narrowed, mask-philia is tightly tied to closed schools.
IN MASSACHUSETTS, ONLY 3.5% OF STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO IN-PERSON LEARNING (But 98.7% masking--and loving it)
FL HAS 99.8% OF STUDENTS W/ACCESS TO IN-PERSON LEARNING
While masking differences have purportedly narrowed, mask-philia is tightly tied to closed schools.
IN MASSACHUSETTS, ONLY 3.5% OF STUDENTS HAVE ACCESS TO IN-PERSON LEARNING (But 98.7% masking--and loving it)
FL HAS 99.8% OF STUDENTS W/ACCESS TO IN-PERSON LEARNING
34/n
âBeliefâ in masks translates to closed schools, b/c it signals "belief" that you can (& must) control the virus
So youâŠ
1) Test constantly, resulting in constantly finding virus, & constantly closing schools.
2) This provides a pretext for unions to resist opening
âBeliefâ in masks translates to closed schools, b/c it signals "belief" that you can (& must) control the virus
So youâŠ
1) Test constantly, resulting in constantly finding virus, & constantly closing schools.
2) This provides a pretext for unions to resist opening
35/n
High unemploymentâand hence people staying home and not going to their jobsâdoes NOT reduce the spread of the virus.
http://NOT.AT .ALL
High unemploymentâand hence people staying home and not going to their jobsâdoes NOT reduce the spread of the virus.
http://NOT.AT .ALL
36/n
However, once again, high levels of âmaskiness,â maskphilia, or âbeliefâ in masks and their ability to control the virus, is extremely negative.
In this case, highly predictive of high levels of unemployment.
However, once again, high levels of âmaskiness,â maskphilia, or âbeliefâ in masks and their ability to control the virus, is extremely negative.
In this case, highly predictive of high levels of unemployment.
37/n
Once again, this seems likely to related to the fact that people who like masks:
a)donât have to wear them to work, b/c they work from home
b)havenât lost their jobs, b/c they work from home
c)have kids in private schools, b/c they are wealthy https://twitter.com/PhilWMagness/status/1352298738514059265
Once again, this seems likely to related to the fact that people who like masks:
a)donât have to wear them to work, b/c they work from home
b)havenât lost their jobs, b/c they work from home
c)have kids in private schools, b/c they are wealthy https://twitter.com/PhilWMagness/status/1352298738514059265
38/n
Kids will not go back to school in a given city/state, until that city/state starts to function again as a society (like @GovRonDeSantis' FL) and comes to terms with relative risk, and the need for lower-risk cohorts to be out and about absorbing the brunt of the disease.
Kids will not go back to school in a given city/state, until that city/state starts to function again as a society (like @GovRonDeSantis' FL) and comes to terms with relative risk, and the need for lower-risk cohorts to be out and about absorbing the brunt of the disease.
Click on the tweet above to read the rest, I accidentally formed the thread it is 67 total.
