FROM The Mises Institute: The shutdown of the American economy by government decree should end. The lasting and far-reaching harms caused by this authoritarian precedent far outweigh those caused by the COVID-19 virus. The American people—individuals, families, businesses—must decide for themselves how and when to reopen society and return to their daily lives. Neither the Trump administration nor Congress has the legal authority to shut down American life absent at least baseline due process. As Judge Andrew Napolitano recently wrote, business closures, restrictions on assembly and movement, and quarantines are not constitutionally permissible under some magic “emergency” doctrine. At a minimum, the federal government must show potential imminent harm by specific infected individuals at some form of hearing or trial. These due process requirements are not suspended. State and local officials may claim, or even possess, lawful police powers to shut down their communities. We offer no analysis of such powers or claims under the myriad of state constitutions and authorizing legislation. But they should resist exercising these powers. The governor of Virginia, in particular, deserves admonition for unilaterally imposing a lengthy period of virtual house arrest. [cont.] Ron Paul discusses the article in the video below.  

MANY videos have been posted here over the past week that were made by citizen journalists looking into the coronavirus situation at their local hospitals. Here are three more. I’m sorry some of the language in one is vulgar. I am posting it anyway. Financial devastation, depression, intense isolation, restriction of basic civil liberties — these issues are far worse and the need for accurate reporting is critical. I also should remind readers that many of the excellent videos I have posted in recent entries are likely to be erased from Youtube soon, just as thousands of videos reporting on mass shootings were censored. I suggest you view them while they are still available. I am very grateful for the people who care enough about their country to do this legwork.

(more…)

   GOOD summary of our situation. (I have a few quibbles with what he says. Skip the commercial at the end.)

FROM the International Journal of Infectious Diseases, Volume 88, November 2019, Pages 127-134:

•In the winter seasons from 2013/14 to 2016/17, an estimated average of 5,290,000 ILI [influenza-like illness] cases occurred in Italy, corresponding to an incidence of 9%.

•More than 68,000 deaths attributable to flu epidemics were estimated in the study period.

•Italy showed a higher influenza attributable excess mortality compared to other European countries. especially in the elderly.

Source: ScienceDirect (more…)

  FROM FOX NEWS: CBS News admitted to a "mistake" on Monday after airing footage of an overcrowded hospital room that was allegedly in New York City but was actually from a hospital in Italy. "It was an editing mistake. We took immediate steps to remove it from all platforms and shows," a CBS News spokesperson told Fox News. Last Wednesday, "CBS This Morning" included a brief clip showing several patients and medical professionals in one room during a report about the rising threat of the coronavirus outbreak in New York City. However, that same footage aired days prior on Sky News.  

THIS is a brilliant little speech by Ursula Von der Leyen, president of the European Union.

Her purpose here is to make the case for greater Internet censorship. You see, people are spreading falsehoods about the virus.

Notice how she picks absurdities — such as the idea that bleach can cure the virus — to make her case that untruths are rampant. Let me suggest that Von der Leyen is not at all worried that you might drink bleach. She is worried that you might drink from the wells of truth.

But she does a convincing job of projecting concern. She loves you. They are doing it only for your good.

The Internet as we know it is doomed. (more…)

YESTERDAY was the seventh anniversary of the death of the writer Lawrence Auster, who died of cancer on March 29, 2013, leaving behind many devoted followers of his blog View from the Right.

At Vdare.com, I reflect on his views of the future of America in light of our current crisis.

May God grant eternal rest to Lawrence Auster and protect and keep his many friends. (more…)

  SEE the earlier post here about World Health Organization director Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, who blatantly misrepresented the coronavirus death rate and touched off a worldwide panic.  

 

  (more…)

"The Real History Channel surveyed 1,257 respondents (mostly Americans but also Europeans, Canadians and Australians)-- who in turn each know at least 30 people (conservative estimate) who in turn know at least another 25 other people. That gives a random representative sample of almost 1 MILLION people within 2 degrees of separation of the original 1,257 survey respondents. "It asked just two questions: "1. Do you PERSONALLY know anyone who has died due to CV? "2. Do you PERSONALLY know anyone who PERSONALLY knows someone that has died due to CV?" March 28 - March 29 / Final A - Number of Survey Respondents: 1,257 B - Est. of  acquaintances (1,257 x 30): 37,710 C -Number of Deaths Personally Known: 3 D -2nd Level Contacts (37,710 x 25): 942,750 E- Deaths believed by 3rd Party Hearsay: 15 * Final Tally (B+D): "Out of  980,460 estimated extended contacts, only 18  (15 of which reported to us as hearsay!) -- know of  (or think they know of ) a CV-related death -- with most comments indicating the deceased had other health problems or was over 70 years of age." [Source] CONCLUSION: This virus is real, the government's over-reaction is a hoax.