This week, governments around the globe spun into full-scale panic thanks to the revelation of the so-called omicron variant of COVID-19. As of this writing, we know that omicron is likely more transmissible than prior variants. We have no evidence, however, that omicron is more deadly. To the contrary, Dr. Angelique Coetzee, chairwoman of the South African Medical Association, explained that the symptoms associated with omicron were "mild," explaining, "we don't see severely ill patients."
Were that true, that would make omicron a cause for optimism. That's because delta is already highly infectious and herd immunity seems to be a pipe dream -- which means that if someone has the choice between an omicron infection and a delta infection, one would wish for the omicron infection. If omicron was to crowd out a deadlier variant, that would be a positive development for global health.
Yet the reaction from our institutional leaders has been completely unhinged. We have been told by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that every American above the age of 18 ought to get a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine, despite scant evidence that boosters lower the hospitalization and death rates from COVID-19 for the young (they certainly do for those over age 60). Dr. Anthony Fauci has emerged to nod gravely at the possibility of vaccine mandates for air travel and new mask mandates. Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York announced a state of emergency allowing for the suspension of elective surgeries.
The predictable result: markets have plunged. They've plunged not because of omicron itself, but because the private sector knows that the public sector may hammer away at economic freedom again. Our political class has failed throughout the pandemic; perhaps their only real success was in assigning a grab bag of cash for pharmaceutical companies that developed vaccines. Other than that, nearly all public policy measures have been ineffective.
The same will hold true of omicron. Omicron is already present in nations around the world. Lockdown policies were ineffective in curbing the pandemic outside of isolated countries around the globe; the return of lockdown won't be any more successful. Mask mandates have been markedly disassociated from actual disease replication rates. And vaccines are already widely available; those who are afraid of omicron will get vaccinated, and those who aren't won't.
Now would be a good time to take a breath.
And yet our public officials are pathologically incapable of humility. This time, they suggest, will be different; this time, they'll prevent disease from spreading. It seems that the most powerful in our society have a vested interest in the lie that they can stop disease, death and privation. They won't let go of that lie, lest citizens see through the veil and seize back power over their own lives.
Instead, we're told that we must hand over (SET ITAL) more (END ITAL) control to our authoritarian-minded leaders, to the self-appointed Scientific Experts (TM) -- all out of an "abundance of caution," of course. Strangely, that abundance of caution never seems to extend to unprecedented interventions in everyday life or the global economy. In those areas, our elites throw caution to the wind.
A true "abundance of caution" mentality would suggest that before we destroy our institutions again -- before we overthrow free markets in the name of welfarism, checks and balances in the name of health authoritarianism, and individual liberty in the name of safety -- we see some data. Otherwise, heavy-handed "solutions" will always be the measure of first resort, long before we even know whether a crisis has materialized.
Ben Shapiro, 37, is a graduate of UCLA and Harvard Law School, host of "The Ben Shapiro Show," and editor-in-chief of DailyWire.com. He is the author of the New York Times bestsellers "How To Destroy America In Three Easy Steps," "The Right Side Of History," and "Bullies." To find out more about Ben Shapiro and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.
COPYRIGHT 2021 CREATORS.COM
15 comments:
I wish they would lock down again so I can move some of this PPE and TP that I purchased in anticipation of scalping it during a Delta Variant Panic that never came. I am also struggling to sell the 1 million rounds of russian ammo that I purchased well above market value. I need a lockdown and some more cable news televised race riots please.
for the record, even Fauci is saying Omicron doesnt seem to cause as severe sickness as Delta.
that's the problem with Mr Shapiro. He screams and doesn't listen..
Now, after Omicron has been on the scene in this country for a week, we have expert analysis of its cause, effect, sustainability, viability and nature. I'll put it all in the 'studies show' column.
Meanwhile - Even Fauci doesn't know what the fuck he's talking about. Why listen to him, 7:53?
Standby for December 7, 2021 at 10:18 PM to start telling you about his expert on virology (like a shade tree mechanic) while telling you not to listen to one of the foremost leaders in public health.
This just in. Scientists say vaccinated folks are not affected by Omicron, to the disappointment of talk radio, blogs and fringe groups. Find another calamity to worry about.
Really have to applaud the republican approach to the pandemic. 800K Americans dead and this is where we are:
Masks? nope.
Vaccine? nope.
new variant of concern? don't even care.
What if we do absolutely nothing and don't give a fuck? YES...thats the ticket!!!
Pro life party indeed.
the new variant is less than a minor cold. It actually is a minor cold. Sorry to disappoint 8:26.
I saw chicken little this morning getting a sausage bisquit UNMASKED.
7:18, gonna need a reputable site for your assertion vaccinated folks are "not affected" by Omicron. Everything I've read so far says vaccinated people are catching it at an even higher rate than Delta, but are not suffering from severe disease as often. Yes, they are being affected and they are dying, just not as much as with other variants. I'll let you explain to a grieving family that loses a vaccinated relative to Omicron that it is all in their imagination.
Should we panic and shut things down? Of course not. But to jump into the misinformation campaign and deny it is a threat at all is doing more harm than good. Reasonable action is needed, but neither panic nor deception is warranted.
Again, Mr. Shapiro conveniently ignores that which doesn't support his preconceived notions.
He overlooked that those very few countries that reached herd immunity through vaccination are doing well. But, those who didn't seem to understand that herd immunity reached by getting a virus doesn't work well because it takes so long as that is how mutations happen.
Thanks to all "pundits" who profit from
convenient ethics,engage in wishful thinking or are brain washed by lies and half-truths, we have experienced mutations and continued reduction in labor supply ( read the dead internationally) and thus , supply lines and supply shortages/delays.
If you are surprised, it's only because you wouldn't read any of the history books on past pandemics.
If you want to cast blame, blame those who have consistently not erred on the side of caution (once known as conservatism).The knowledge existed to minimized CV 19. There was even a binder in The White House with instructions which summarized pandemics and measures to take.
Many don't have the time or ability to have learned about pandemics. Ben Shapiro and his ilk have no excuse . They are the curse of humanity.
Yet again, based on ONLY anecdotal information, those of you who said CV19 was an " ordinary flu" and " it only kills old and fat people and those who'll die anyway", jump in too soon again.
Again, you ignore the math of over 700,000 dead that included many who weren't "old, fat or anticipating death in the next decade despite health issues. That should have been your hint you were wrong then and might be wrong again.
I hope that this time you are correct and EARLY reports are hopeful. But, like a broken clock, you'll be right once a day no matter how thick your political blinders are.
You are overlooking that the reporting of mild symptoms were in vaccinated people.
So, yes, the sick were in the immunized, but if these folks are in the 2% or 5% insufficient reaction groups, you "poo poo people" will again show your ignorance to all around you.You also overlook the realities in South Africa among those who will never report or seek medical help because they can't.
Just like we don't know how many take home tests and don't report a positive test.
The extreme right and their sympathizers, just like the extreme left have made rational decision making based or the best available knowledge that exists, impossible. NAW, you want to go with your feelings and meaningless individual experience. You can't face that you are unlikely a "reliable example" for all humanity. You assume every other human on the planet thinks, feels and experiences the VERY same existence you have.
Lord help us!
Let me get this straight 10:04am......you are blaming Trump for the pandemic?
Yes or No will suffice and speak volumes about you.
"I hope that this time you are correct and EARLY reports are hopeful. But, like a broken clock, you'll be right once a day no matter how thick your political blinders are."
Hang on a second...or a minute...or an hour with that whole "broken clock" thing. A broken clock used to be correct TWICE a day. When did it get changed to once a day? Due to Covid?
Coronavirus Worldwide Cases:268,016,251;Deaths:5,293,732; Recovered: 241,232,418. Source worldometers.com ---- Now cue the nothing burger idiots and the it's just the flu morons.
I had covid. It was a real bummer. Had to go on the vent for 3 weeks. I’m still recovering. I’m so tired of this crap. I did everything I could to avoid it, including vaccination, and still got it. You can get it twice. Doc said the only thing that saved me was the vaccine. I’m not old or obese, nor do I have major health problems.
My saving grace was that I don’t remember much of it. They had me jacked up on morphine per my medical records. I guess I was in a medically induced coma. Coming that close to death will put some things in perspective including the fact that you do not want to be in the hospital these days. So, you guys & gals that think it’s just a cold can piss off for all I care. Same with the people that believe that turning us into a biomedical police state is going to save the world. I think both sides of the issue are wonky. I’m entitled to my opinion. I looked death in the eye and said, “Not Today!”
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