This has been the most fascinating thread on Rebel-Net. I thought Fauci should have resigned when Trump was president and would fine if he stepped down tomorrow. My problem with much of the statements about Covid and the vaccine is that they are presented as Truths instead of hypotheses.
There about 6000 hospitals in the US. Suppose the probability of a vaccinated or unvaccinated person ending up hospitalized are the same, 1/2. Ten people show up with Covid at each of the hospitals. About six of those hospitals will see ten vaccinated patients and zero unvaccinated patients. Those six hospitals report that correct data that only vaccinated people arrive at their ERs. Without having all the data, the data from those six hospitals can be very misleading.
So I prefer waiting for the dust to settle before expressing opinions on Covid or the vaccines.
Furthermore, when media are covering things the Apollo missions, climate change, the 2020 election, etc, I don’t want the fringe opposing view to have media exposure. I am not claiming that every alternative view on Covid or the vaccine is a fringe area, but some of them are and airing those views with equal time can be dangerous. That editorial responsibility is a double edged sword, but I don’t see any way around it.
I'm not talking about nano robots, micro tracking chips etc.
I'm talking about people questioning the efficacy of masks being shouted down, only to be proven right.
Questioning masks was conspiracy theory rhetoric mere months ago.
This is unfortunate but true. There have been studies done that show, a large majority of people when presented evidence contrary to personal bias, typically dig in more than accept they were wrong.
Look, there are people that still think Covid is essentially 'just the flu'. They are wrong. It is far more dangerous, especially to specific demographics.
On the flipside...
We know without question who is most at risk. Elderly (above 65 especially) obese and certain preexisting. This isn't up for debate.
However, I think you would agree it hasn't been reported that way.
You speak of editorial responsibility. It's tough. I agree. But it should be consistent.
A perfect example. MSNBC's Rachel Maddow has a five minute rant about how the vaccines mitigate spread. It's still up. Is this not misinformation? Shouldn't a consistent editorial process remove that clip? Or address it as containing information that is not true or at least no longer accurate?
People don't like to be duped. They hate admitting they were duped even more..
I don't have all the answers on how to combat Covid...But I don't think if they were implemented we would be in any worse shape.
1) Covid blister packs. Containing vitamin D, Zinc and other over the counter meds that have proven to be effective against Covid. (Including steroids) Administered after a positive test. To be taken if symptoms worsen. Government can afford vaccines they could certainly afford that. Stop sending people home with nothing waiting for them to return after it's to late.
2) Honest, consistent reporting from the CDC on the number of hospitalizations broken down by age and underlying health issues. As well as a differentiation between with and from.
3) Press home the need for at risk people to take as many precautions as possible including vaccination.
That's it. No mandates. No masks. No lockdowns. Just present people with relevant actual data.