“How the Pandemic Defeated America,” and Other Evils of Science

It’s time, yet again, to share some of the COVID-19-related links that I’ve gathered together over the last little while.  Perhaps some of you will find them interesting.  Whether you find them interesting or not, though, I must press forward with my self-appointed mission — a mission of which I was informed by a hostile total stranger a couple of weeks ago — of calling out The Evils of Science:

“Coronavirus: How New Zealand went ‘hard and early’ to beat Covid-19”

“How the Pandemic Defeated America: A virus has brought the world’s most powerful country to its knees.”

“Two decades of pandemic war games failed to account for Donald Trump: The scenarios foresaw leaky travel bans, a scramble for vaccines and disputes between state and federal leaders, but none could anticipate the current levels of dysfunction in the United States.”

“‘You Can’t Do That’: Trump Argues That Number of COVID Deaths Per Capita Is an Irrelevant Stat”

“PIERS MORGAN: President Trump’s painfully deluded train-wreck HBO interview proved he hasn’t just lost control of the coronavirus – he’s lost control of reality”

“‘Sorry to burst the magic bubble’ says Florida lawmaker of hydroxychloroquine as he battles COVID-19”

“Hydroxychloroquine can’t stop COVID-19. It’s time to move on, scientists say: An abundance of scientific data shows that the drug isn’t an effective COVID-19 treatment”

Thanks to Sam LeFevre for calling my attention to this one:

“Hydroxychloroquine for COVID-19 prevention? How to separate science from partisanship: While BS increasingly appears clad in the trappings of stats and data graphics, one doesn’t need an advanced degree in science or mathematics to see through it.”

“Does the Common Cold Protect You from COVID-19?  There are emerging signs that some people might have heightened protection against SARS-CoV-2, perhaps thanks to recent infection by other coronaviruses.”

“Has the Summit Supercomputer Cracked COVID’s Code?  New insights into deadly “bradykinin storms” suggest potential therapies for COVID-19″

“A Vaccine Reality Check: So much hope is riding on a breakthrough, but a vaccine is only the beginning of the end.”

“A Vaccine Is on the Way: Not surprisingly, American companies are showing how it’s done.”

“We Should Consider Starting Covid-19 Vaccinations Now”

But then, very importantly, this:

“I Was Wrong: We Can’t Skip Phase 3 Vaccine Trials”

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And this last item may, in its way, be indirectly relevant:

“Americans Plant Mysterious Seeds Despite Government Warnings: The USDA urges people not to plant unsolicited seeds they receive. Evidence suggests the packages are part of a scam designed to boost online sales”