Highway Propaganda
August 18, 2020
TRANSPORTATION departments across the nation are violating their stated mission by engaging in scare-mongering Covid propaganda on digital highway signs. These signs were originally installed to warn drivers of dangerous traffic conditions. Yet they are featuring announcements that chillingly tell drivers to “Practice Social Distancing” (anti-social behavior), “Wear a Mask” or even “Stay Home.” One sign I saw again and again in upstate New York simply said, “Covid is still a threat.”
Of course, the worst thing about these signs is that they spread misinformation (that’s a fancy word for lies) and add to a climate of intense paranoia and fear. Many people are highly suggestible and these signs for them are a form of mental abuse. Covid is not a critical public health threat; face masks and “social distancing” are both harmful to human health. Most people have not informed themselves about the risks so the highway signs lend gravitas and authority to the misinformation they receive elsewhere. Communism is near-complete government control over people’s lives. These signs are Communism in action. Even if Covid were the threat it is portrayed to be, the signs would be completely unnecessary as everyone in the world is surrounded 24/7 by nauseating levels of Covid alarmism.
If the government truly wanted to protect our health, why not feature road signs that said, “Stop Eating Potato Chips” or “Coca Cola Causes Diabetes” or “Drink Raw Milk?” Americans are some of the unhealthiest people on earth right now, but let’s get real about what the actual health threats are. Many people can barely fit into their driver’s seats; they have been blown up by toxic, processed foods and sedentary habits.
But transportation departments are not empowered to protect public health. That just ain’t their job.
These huge signs and the intrusive, bullying technocracy they represent may make us feel depressed and powerless. But we can speak up, if only to save our own sanity and souls. The Healthy American is encouraging citizens to contact their state transportation departments by letter and formally complain. See Sample Letter 3 for a particularly good letter by Ricardo Beas to the California Department of Transportation. Beas calls for immediate removal of the announcements:
These signs are now continually broadcasting COVID-19-related messages, presently with a focus on covering your face and nose with masks. This is an improper use of the CMS system and limits the traffic-related information that is the main purpose of these signs and what freeway travelers expect to see on the road. While Ms. [Tammie] McGowen [public information officer] and Caltrans may have good intentions when using the CMS system for such purposes, this practice must stop immediately, as it is unjustified and unauthorized.
In the Caltrans December 2013 Changeable Message Sign Guidelines, it notes the things that should be avoided as regards messaging in the CMS system. In the section titled Caltrans Changeable Message Sign Policy and Summary, page 2, it states the following:
“CMS shall not: … Provide information that is already obvious to the motorist.”
If we apply the directive above to the current COVID-19 emergency, it is obvious that there is not a single Californian or visitor in the state that is not aware of this, as COVID-19 messages play continuously on all TV and radio stations, so any person with a TV or a home and/or automobile radio, would be well informed both on the COVID-19 situation as well as the precautions one is supposed to follow to stop the spread.
When I spoke recently with Ms. McGowen, I explained that there is no need for the CMS messages on COVID-19 because everyone was aware of them and are consistently bombarded with such information. She disagreed and said that people in rural communities could potentially not be aware of the COVID-19 emergency, but that makes absolutely no sense, in that, even if we were to imagine that some individuals don’t have TVs or radios, it is obvious that some of their family members, neighbors and friends do and would have discuss this situation, not to mention that such person would still be shopping, putting gas in their cars, going to restaurants, churches, family and friend gatherings, clothing stores, and would probably also use medical services, all of which would have not only signs about COVID and required precautions, but they would see most people wearing masks. Are we to assume that such a person would not ask questions as to what was going on in the last 5 months?
— Comments —
Loyal writes:
I too feel assaulted and violated by this incessant propaganda, literally everywhere. In the past (pre-covid), the signage was part of the background and unless there was a warning about road conditions, I largely ignored these monstrosities. However, when I first noticed the masking and “social distance” messages, my first thought was, “What on earth does this have to do with driving a car?” Shortly thereafter, I began raising the back of my hand at the signs as I passed them on the highway. I do not give the middle finger salute, but I felt a need to express my contempt (I’m human, after all). It helps to release my frustration, and it seems like a relatively harmless way to do so. Maybe others see me and are encouraged to resist, as well.
I have noticed less of this propaganda in the past week or so in my area, and it was actually a relief to see the usual “15 min to Highway” banalities once again. Amazing the psychological effects of the propaganda, even when one is fully aware of the sinister motives behind it and is mentally prepared.
Laura writes:
Drivers are a captive audience.
I can attest that in several states there is no lessening of these messages — or, as you suggested, these assaults.
Laura adds:
In Pennsylvania, in June, these signs were put to an even more ominous use. It was so upsetting I can barely talk about it.
Over the course of a couple weeks, signs on the highways — and there are many of them — were asking drivers in large flashing messages to look for a “missing person” in a purple Toyota. We are used to the expression missing children, but missing person, what is that? A convict on the loose? Someone who was kidnapped? A person with dementia who cannot be found? Don’t most other adults have the right to be “missing?”
Finally, after seeing these signs for days, I searched the Internet for information.
Guess who the “missing person” was?
A mother with her two young children, one of whom was a baby. She allegedly fled a custody dispute and had left her home voluntarily with her children. Think about that. Tens of thousands of people were being alerted to hunt down a mother with her own two children even though she had not been kidnapped and was not in any danger.
Snitching and draconian community surveillance are other features of a Communist society.
P. writes:
While I have been fortunate enough to miss seeing the highway signs, today I was told by a drink dispenser machine at the DQ that I need to follow all government safety mandates. Yes, a machine that dispenses sugary drinks was giving me ‘health’ advice and cheerily informing me “We’re all in this together.”
Meanwhile the theater next door has gone up for sale because the owner hasn’t been able to open and hasn’t made a cent since March. Welcome to the ‘new normal’. Ugh.
Laura writes:
“We’re all in this together” is a passive/aggressive way of saying “Surrender, or else.”
NJ Catholic writes:
In New Jersey the highway overhead signs say,”Arriving from out of state? Dial 511 for quarantine status.” Oh brother — big brother, that is.
Aug. 20, 2020
Loyal writes:
In reading the comments on the above, I wanted to also include my experience in stores where the “muzak” is now replaced with reminders to wear a mask in the store. Yes, we are not only “reminded” to wear a face covering by large signs, or helpful “hospitality assistants” at many doorways, the propaganda is also being piped in through the PA system. Of course, I am still not wearing a mask, I don’t own one and don’t plan to, but I feel like I am living in a surreal, sci-fi scenario, a nightmare from which I can’t wake up. Every day is “Groundhog Day,” but instead of snow, we are snowed under by propaganda.
Laura writes:
I was the only person without a mask in a huge supermarket one day.
An announcement came over the speakers reminding shoppers to wear a mask (as if they needed to be reminded!) But then a few minutes later it played again. And then again. It was more often than usual, and I think it was directed at one person in the store. I felt like any moment search lights from guard towers were going to find me and I was going to have to run. : – ) I just ignored it.
A Chinese check-out clerk — judging from her accent she was raised in Communist China — then berated me and refused to check me out. Talk about surreal! I said I had a medical exemption and waved my paperwork. She called the manager over and the manager said to her, with sorrow in her voice, “Yes, if she has an exemption, there is nothing we can do.” The clerk had to check me out. Sorry, Mrs. Mao, but America is not quite enlightened yet.
Loyal writes:
Re: The Chinese checkout clerk — I am still shaking my head in amazement. The sorrow in the voice of the manager as she must allow you to exercise your right as a free citizen (I think we are still free) to NOT cover your face, hide your identity, create a monstrous appearance, and create unnecessary health conditions, in order to give the store where she is employed money, which in theory keeps her in a job. WOW. All of this drama over a cold virus.
Laura writes:
Yes, it’s so surreal.
But I have had good experiences at this store, which probably serves at least 10,000 people in a week.
One day, I went in and I couldn’t find the bags of ice. So I went up to the clerk at the self-check out and I asked him where they were. He said, “Oh, do you have your mask?” He was an older gentleman who works his shift, of course, in a mask. His tone of voice was not hostile at all.
I said, “Oh, no. I have an exemption,’ and I waved my blue folder of papers.
And he said, “Yes, I thought it was you.” (I thought he was smiling, but you can’t know.) Apparently, I am the only one out of all these people regularly showing up without a mask.
Anyway, I went to get the ice and came back to check out and he came over as I was checking my things, and said, “Here, let me do that for you.” He violated social distancing protocol, for sure. I think he was showing me gratitude. Imagine how hard it was for him to work in a mask! “Have a great day!” he said as I left. Another older clerk said the same thing very loudly and clearly.
That was a bright moment in what has generally been very depressing and at times frightening.
Laura adds:
I did wear a mask a few times at the beginning of this psy-op because I mistakenly thought it was considerate to others.
I also understand if others can’t deal with the tremendous stress of not wearing one.
Sept. 5, 2020
Lady Mohan writes:
Not only can I relate to the thoughts and feelings seeing these messages has done to you and others, I actually wrote to PennDOT to have them removed. Below is the response I got. I did follow up on what I bolded below. It does seem they have authority to do it, each and every state. So, Ricardo Beas has received an updated email to state they too, have authority to display them and I wrote him to see what he will say to dispute this authority coming from the federal govt. Sigh.
I’ve also given the “salute” to these messages and was so angry at myself for giving in to my anger, but I feel it’s righteous anger too, they are propaganda and there is no emergency. I’m sick of it!!!
Dear Ms. ____: Thank you for submitting concern 20200827-BSVVPM dated August 27, 2020 regarding COVID-19 messages being displayed on the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation’s (PennDOT) Changeable Message Signs (CMS). I have been asked to reply since this issue is within my area of responsibility. FHWA issued guidance to agencies like PennDOT on use of Changeable Message Signs (CMS) for COVID-19 messages.
In summary, while there is no waiver authority under the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), there are exceptions because of the President’s National Emergency Declaration. As identified on their website (https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/coronavirus/), FHWA authorized the use of COVID-19 type messaging as long as it does not appear to be advertising. PennDOT’s position to the placement of COVID-19 messaging has been to support the Pennsylvania Department of Health in getting critical awareness information out to road users while continuing to provide a traffic safety message.
Additionally, relevant motorist information such as incident information or delays in travel are given higher priority to COVID-19 messaging or other safety messaging. PennDOT manages this priority order to ensure that high priority messages such as incident or delay information are always displayed. Thank you again for sharing your thoughts regarding CMS. Should you have any questions or require additional information, please contact the Bureau of Maintenance and Operations at 717.787.6899.
Thanks, Heather Quinn on behalf of T Jay Cunningham
Heather Quinn | Administrative Assistant 1 PA Department of Transportation
Bureau of Maintenance and Operations
