Tag: covid-19

Covid’s nasty – there’s more to life than imprisoning ourselves

It is not an accident that the US constitution gives equal weight to “life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness” as the guiding principles for government.

A concern for life and health must always be balanced with a concern to protect spaces for us to do our own thing and to define wellbeing in our own way.

A pandemic may be a chance for some medical leaders to impose their ideas of how people should live – but it does not mean they should be allowed to do so.

It is time to stop “following the science” and to recognise we are making choices about the sort of society we want to live in.

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Sweden’s Top Epidemiologist: ‘We See No Point In Wearing Masks’

Sweden’s top epidemiologist says he sees “no point” in mandating masks in public across the country, which has seen its COVID-19 numbers plunge in recent months.

“With numbers diminishing very quickly in Sweden, we see no point in wearing a face mask in Sweden, not even on public transport,” Anders Tegnell said, according to Fortune.

Newsweek reports that as of Sunday, “the latest death rate in Sweden (deaths per 100,000 people) was reported to be 56.40. The figure is lower than that reported in the U.K. (69.60), Spain (60.88) and Italy (58.16), according to the latest report Sunday by Johns Hopkins University.”

“That Sweden has come down to these levels is very promising,” Tegnell told reporters in Stockholm on Tuesday. “The curves are going down and the curves for the seriously ill are beginning to approach zero.”

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“V For Vendetta” – Was V’s 2005 “Sermon” Warning Us Of COVID-19(84) Tyranny?

The movie V for Vendetta  is set in an alternative reality where a neo-fascist totalitarian regime has subjugated the United Kingdom under the guise of protecting the people from war, terror and disease. Yes, disease. Indeed, the following clip from this 15-year-old dystopian film looks awfully like the world we now live in today, does it not?

At the film’s catalyst, a freedom fighter (codenamed “V”) hijacks the feed for a major TV network in London and broadcasts a “sermon” to the nation wearing a Guy Fawkes mask. See how his words apply to the governments’ reaction to COVID-19:

“And the truth is, there is something terribly wrong with this country, isn’t there? Cruelty and injustice, intolerance and oppression,” says V as his masked face appears across television sets around the nation.

“And where once you had the freedom to object, to think and speak as you saw fit, you now have censors and systems of surveillance coercing your conformity and soliciting your submission.

“How did this happen? Who’s to blame? Well, certainly, there are those who are more responsible than others, and they will be held accountable. But again, truth be told, if you’re looking for the guilty, you need only look into a mirror.”

“I know why you did it. I know you were afraid. Who wouldn’t be? War, terror, disease.”

McDonald’s CEO says law enforcement may be called on customers who refuse to wear masks

McDonald’s appears to be serious about face masks.

McDonald’s CEO Chris Kempczinski recently spoke about recent decisions the company has made amid the coronavirus pandemic. He specifically suggested that law enforcement may be called during situations when a customer won’t wear a mask.

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Coronavirus Victoria: Daniel Andrews announces permit system for Melbourne

Daniel Andrews has announced a permit system for Greater Melbourne, requiring people to show papers to authorities when they’re out and about for legitimate work reasons.

The move comes as the capital enters a strict stage four lockdown in a bid to slow the rapid spread of coronavirus, with 439 new cases recorded today.

Melbourne is the subject of a nightly curfew between 8pm and 5am, with only essential workers and those seeking or providing care able to leave their homes.

From midnight on Wednesday, a range of non-essential businesses will cease operating.

During the day, people can only go out if it’s absolutely necessary, such as buying groceries, and cannot travel more than 5km from their home.

Mr Andrews today detailed the permit system covering Melbourne, with a particular focus on workers whose industries are still operating, such as supermarkets.

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