Military Veterans and Patriots

Tag: WuFlu

  • WuFlu, Some Observations

    WuFlu, Some Observations

    It’s Saturday, and it’s time for a little ranting from your Managing Editor.

    Most of you know I wrote a regular column on the WuFlu over at another site. I did a lot of reading, a lot of study and educated myself on topics that I had little knowledge about previously. I dug through raw statistical data, searched out original sources and tried my best to present an unbiased, panic free look at what was going on.

    Once enough data was in several things became clear to me. First up, and this is something I’ve said over and over, getting the chinese coronavirus isn’t a death sentence. Even with potentially inflated numbers, only about 2% of those who catch this disease face any type of serious consequence. What’s more, the vast majority of deaths (80%) attributed to the WuFlu are in those 65 and older.

    Gallup and the Brookings institute have taken a look at what people believe about covid19. The results aren’t all that encouraging. Because everything is political, they broke it down by party affiliation.

    It’s interesting to note that people across the board get the numbers wrong, but those on the left overestimate the deaths in those under 65 and underestimate deaths in those 65 and older more than those on the right. What’s troubling to me is that very few on either side were even close. I’ll touch on the reasons why a bit later.

    The next graph shows the responses for hospitalization estimates. Again, the dems surveyed got this number, which happens to be between 1 and 5%, wrong more than the repubs. The second part of this graphic combines responses with a numeracy score.

    Why does it seem so many people across the political spectrum are so misinformed? Clearly beacuse they haven’t read any of my WuFlu work.

    All kidding aside, there are serious issues with dissemination of accurate, unbiased information about the chinese coronavirus. Most major news outlets push panic porn. Very few publish or broadcast the unvarnished truth, preferring to sensationalize or underplay.

    Why? I suppose it comes down to ratings, although there is likely an element of agenda driving the decisions. Who would believe Dr. Strangeglove err Fauci if they knew that the hospitalization rate for wuflu is 5% or less, or that under 24’s make up less than one tenth of one percent of the fatalities or that those younger than 55 only make up 7% of deaths?

  • It’s A Trap!

    It’s A Trap!

    While trying to catch up on the news of the day before heading into work today, I ran into an interesting bit of analysis form Michael Thau over at RedState. He posits the sexual harrasment and bullying charges levied against Andrew Cuomo are a distraction.

    After thinking about it for a few minutes, I can’t say that he’s wrong. . .

    One of the questions Thau asks is why now? The first accuser to come forward, Lindsey Boylan, claims the harrasment happened in 2018. Why wait three years? Why come forward at the exact moment Cuomo find himself under serious fire for his handling of the WuFlu in nursing homes?

    Whether it was intentional timing or not, the effect has been pronounced. In the time since the accusations made national news, google searches about the Cuomo nursing home scandal have dropped precipitously.

    Michael Thau

    As Thau says in his article, that sort of seems odd seeing as we’re still in the middle of the pandemic. The timing also seems suspiciously providential to Cuomo given the fact both the US Attorney General and the FBI are looking into his handling of the chinese coronavirus.

    I find it interesting that there are three other governors with a ‘D’ after their names that had similar nursing home policies that led to thousands of deaths. The governors of New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan, all prominent dems, forced nursing homes to take covid positive patients.

    I’ll leave you with an exit question, and this thought crossed my mind previously; are the democrats offering up Andy as a sacrificial lamb to protect the others?

  • If I Hadn’t Seen the Data. . .

    If I Hadn’t Seen the Data. . .

    I’m going to bury the lede on this one a bit. Bear with me, the payoff will be worth it.

    We all know there is a spike in WuFlu cases in the US at the moment. At least some of the increase can be blamed on the Thanksgiving holiday, but certainly not all. For sure testing is up, and the key metrics for tracking the progression of the Chinese Coronavirus are the positivity rate and the number of hospitalizations. Cases really don’t mean much, as around 65% of those infected are asymptomatic.

    To reiterate something I have said all along, for 99.5% of those infected, the Chinese Lung AIDS isn’t much worse than the seasonal flu. And if you’re younger than 60 and don’t have any underlying co-morbidities, your chances of coming through unscathed jumps to 99.9%. There have been more deaths from the China virus in those over 70 than younger than 65. That’s what we call an inverse distribution kids. . .

    Now, would you believe me if I told you if we removed one state from the US totals cases, hospitalizations and deaths would actually be declining? And no, despite what you hear in the MSM, that state is not Florida. It’s actually one of the states with the tightest Chinese Coronavirus restrictions, California.

    If you can’t see the tweet above, it took 9 months for California to hit 1 million cases, and just 6 weeks to hit 2 million. The only good news from Cali is that the rate of deaths isn’t nearly what it is in New York and New Jersey. At 626 per 1m California is at the low end, while NJ (#1) and NY(#2) are at 2,130 and 1,937 per million respectively.

    From Politico

    “Nationally, there has been a kaleidoscopic application of every imaginable type of lockdown order with California being the most restrictive and inflicting the most devastation on small businesses and the most economically vulnerable service workers. And still, we are none the better as far as COVID is concerned,” California Restaurant Association President and CEO Jot Condie said in a statement. “In fact in L.A. where indoor and outdoor dining are completely shut down, with indoor dining [closed] since July, the virus rages on.” [….]

    Assemblymember Jordan Cunningham (R-Templeton) argued that the state’s attempt to “shut down types of human interaction without seeing if that’s effective” was creating a backlash of sorts — “driving people to higher-risk activity” like gathering indoors at home, rather than places like restaurants.

    “The public health officials have lost credibility with a huge section of the populace. They’re just tuning them out now,” Cunningham said. “The goalposts are moving all the time. … People are fed up with it and they don’t think it makes any sense, and they’re not wrong.”

    I think Assemblyman Cunningham nails it. I see it every day in my home state of NY. New York is probably the second most restrictive state with “targeted” lockdowns and multiple restrictions on businesses. The Worst Governor in America™ seems hell-bent on killing as many upstanding New Yorkers as he can get away with. I noted in yesterday’s View that the governor has prioritized drug addicts over senior citizens for the vaccine.

  • Joint Chiefs Quarantine After Adm Tests Positive

    Joint Chiefs Quarantine After Adm Tests Positive

    The entire Joint Chiefs of Staff is in quarantine after the vice commandant of the Coast Guard tested positive for coronavirus.

    Admiral Charles Ray started feeling unwell Friday after attending a meeting with the Joint Chiefs. He tested positive yesterday.

    “We are aware that Vice Commandant Ray has tested positive for COVID-19 and that he was at the Pentagon last week for meetings with other senior military leaders. Some meeting attendees included other Service Chiefs. We are conducting additional contact tracing and taking appropriate precautions to protect the force and the mission. Out of an abundance of caution, all potential close contacts from these meetings are self-quarantining and have been tested this morning. No Pentagon contacts have exhibited symptoms and we have no additional positive tests to report at this time. There is no change to the operational readiness or mission capability of the U.S. Armed Forces. Senior military leaders are able to remain fully mission capable and perform their duties from an alternative work location. DoD has been following CDC guidelines since April with respect to temperature testing, social distancing, and the wearing of masks to the greatest extent when social distancing is not possible and will continue to do so. The entire Department of Defense wishes Admiral Ray well on his way to a swift recovery.”

    Statement by Jonathan Hoffman, Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs:

    See also: Brennan Notes Declassified

    As of today, those exposed have tested negative for the WuFlu, and are quarantining as a precautionary measure.

  • Trump’s Doctors Give Update on His Condition

    Trump’s Doctors Give Update on His Condition

    The team of doctors treating President Trump gave an update on his condition today.

    “This morning the President’s team of physicians met with him in the Residence. He had a  restful first night at home, and today he reports no symptoms. Vital signs and physical exam remain stable, with an ambulatory oxygen saturation level of 95-97%. Overall he continues to do extremely well, I will provide updates as we know more,” read the statement from Dr. Sean Conley, an active duty Navy Commander.

    See also: SCOTUS Issues Stay in SC Election Case

    Trump returned to the White House Monday evening after spending the weekend at Walter Reed Military Hospital. He was flown to the hospital via Marine One on Friday evening. 

    The President has suggested he will address the nation today. Stay tuned for live coverage of his remarks.

  • Kayleigh McEnany Tests Positive for WuFlu

    Kayleigh McEnany Tests Positive for WuFlu

    White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany announced that she tested positive for the Chinese Coronavirus today.

    “After testing negative consistently, including every day since Thursday, I tested positive for COVID-19 on Monday morning while experiencing no symptoms. No reporters, producers, or members of the press are listen as close contacts by the White House Medical Unit. Moreover, I definitively had no knowledge of Hope Hick’s diagnosis prior to holding a White House briefing on Thursday. As an essential worker, I have worked diligently to provide needed information to the American People at this time. With my recent positive test, I will begin the quarantine process and will continue working on behalf of the American People remotely.”

    This brings the number of well known people infected in and around the Trump administration to 12.

    Those infected include the President and First Lady. The President’s Doctors will be giving an update on the President’s condition at 1500.

    Hope Hicks, councillor to the President; Hicks has told people close to her that she is experiencing some symptoms of the disease.

    Bill Stepien, Trump campaign manager; Stepien is experiencing “mild flu-like symptoms,” and people familiar with his diagnosis told the news outlet that he will quarantine until he recovers.

    Kellyanne Conway, former White House aide; She described her symptoms on Twitter as “mild,” including a “light cough,” and wrote she is feeling fine.

    Chris Christie, Former New Jersey Governor; Christie tweeted Saturday that he would be seeking medical treatment, but his condition was unknown.

    Ronna McDaniel, Chairwoman of the Republican National Committee; She was with President Donald Trump last Friday and has been at her home in Michigan since last Saturday. Her symptoms were mild as of Friday.

    Sen. Ron Johnson, from Wisconsin; Johnson, 65, is currently symptom-free and is in isolation, according to the Saturday statement.

    Sen. Mike Lee, from Utah; Lee said his symptoms were “consistent with longtime allergies” and that he would self-isolate for 10 days.

    Sen. Thom Tillis, from North Carolina; Tillis said that he is quarantining.

  • Treatment Update from President’s Doctors

    Treatment Update from President’s Doctors

    Dr. Sean Conley, physician to President Donald Trump, briefs reporters at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md.

    President Trump’s team of doctors gave an update about the President’s treatment and prognosis today.

    See also: A quiet place

  • WuFlu on the Hill

    WuFlu on the Hill

    By now you all know the President and the First Lady have tested positive for the Chinese coronavirus. This comes on the heels of councillor to the President Hope Hicks testing positive. Additionally, Senator Mike Lee of Utah and RNC Director Ronna McDaniels have also tested positive.

    The reaction has been mixed to say the least. While some on the opposite side of the aisle have been supportive of the President, others have taken the opportunity to either attack the President or politicize the diagnosis.

    First the good:

    The Bad:

    And the politicized:

    Fortunately, Mitch McConnell and Lindsay Graham have signalled that it’s full steam ahead on the ACB confirmation.

    See also: They will hiss and…

    This is a good time to point out that the Chinese lung AIDS is not a death sentence. About 99.5% of those infected recover fully. That number increases to 99.9% for those under 65. Six months of panic porn from the media has warped the perceptions of this virus.

  • Virginia to Mandate Vaccine

    Virginia to Mandate Vaccine

    Virginia Commissioner of Health Dr. Norman Oliver says he plans on forcing people to take a coronavirus vaccine once one becomes available.

    Virginia law gives the Commissioner of Health the authority to mandate immunizations during a public health crisis if a vaccine is available.

    “It is killing people now, we don’t have a treatment for it and if we develop a vaccine that can prevent it from spreading in the community we will save hundreds and hundreds of lives,” Oliver said on Friday.

    There were seven people hospitalized in the state because of coronavirus on Aug. 20, according to the Virginia Department of Health website. The peak hospitalizations in Virginia was 120 on May 1. Since July 15, Virginia has had two days with double-digit daily COVID-19 deaths: 12 fatalities on July 25 and 10 on July 29.

    Related: This Week in Health: Oh My Aching Head

    A Yahoo News/YouGov poll conducted between July 28-30 found that only 42% of all Americans said they would get vaccinated “if and when a coronavirus vaccine becomes available.”

  • Covid19, A Bad Flu Season?

    Covid19, A Bad Flu Season?

    That’s what journalist and researcher Alex Berenson has to say. He explained in a Twitter thread:

    Most of you know I have been skeptical of the numbers and magical behavior ascribed to the Chinese coronavirus since the beginning, but this made me go digging. The evidence suggests he’s not wrong.

    The CDC apparently doesn’t want this information widely distributed, they make it as hard as possible to get to the data sets I was interested in. However, this is the information age, so I found other sources.

    The numbers in the chart above are a little out of date, but the distro holds true. Nearly 80% of all WuFlu deaths are in those 65 and older. More, there have been more deaths in those 75 and older than those under 65.

    See also: Trump Campaign Drops New Ad

    At this point, the IFR, or infection fatality rate, is an estimate based on serology testing. While we don’t know the true number of infections, and likely never will, the estimates are generally pretty good. Anyway, the IFR tell us the rate of death of all those infected, not just confirmed cases (That’s called case fatality rate or CFR, and is typically higher though less accurate)

    The IFR for the Chinese lung AIDS in the US is at .64%. The IFR for the flu in a typical year is, wait for it, .60% and can be as high as .70% in a bad year. The biggest difference is in the age distribution. The seasonal flu kills far more people under 65 than the Chinese coronavirus. In the 2017-18 flu season there were 385 reported pediatric flu deaths. There have been 26 pediatric deaths attributed to covid this year.

    So, statistically, you’re at least twice as likely to know someone who died in an auto accident than you are to know someone, anyone, who’s died of the Chinese coronavirus. You’re about as likely to know someone who was struck by lightning as you are to know anyone under 40 who died of Chinese lung AIDS.

    As Alex says above, the constant stream of panic porn is media and tech driven. When you look at what’s actually happening, it’s not so scary after all.