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.  

 

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"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.

  HE'S made billions on investments while urging Trump to keep Americans out of their jobs for 30 days. From Barron's: Billionaire investor Bill Ackman announced earlier this month that he had been hedging his portfolio against market volatility spurred by the coronavirus. The bet paid off handsomely. Ackman’s Pershing Square Capital Management hedge fund laid out $27 million to buy credit protection on global investment-grade and high-yield credit indexes. The purchases, which were made late last month when credit spreads were tighter, carried limited downside risk but the potential for significant upside. Ackman said Wednesday that he finished unwinding the hedges on Monday, reaping $2.6 billion in proceeds. The hedge fund honcho has been making the media rounds recently, demanding that President Donald Trump institute a 30-day national shutdown to slow the spread of the coronavirus. He even warned that failing to act could take hotel stocks to zero. Nevertheless, he has been buying up stocks. [bold added] Here's interesting background on Ackman from Wikipedia: At a panel meeting discussing Bernie Madoff in January 2009, Ackman defended his longtime friend Ezra Merkin, saying, "Has Ezra committed a crime? I don't think so," and "I think [Merkin] is an honest person, an intelligent person, an interesting person, a smart investor."[15][16][17] In April 2009, Merkin was charged with civil fraud by the State of New York for "secretly steering $2.4 billion in client money into Bernard Madoff's Ponzi fraud without their permission."[18] A settlement was reached on June 2012 requiring…

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