You Shouldn't Be Stationary

Here are two interesting links to alternative takes on how to respond to the Corona virus:

• https://off-guardian.org/2020/03/24/12-experts-questioning-the-coronavirus-panic/
• https://off-guardian.org/2020/03/28/10-more-experts-criticising-the-coronavirus-panic/

The first article begins with an interview with Dr Sucharit Bhakdi, a specialist in microbiology. He was a professor at the Johannes Gutenberg University in Mainz and head of the Institute for Medical Microbiology and Hygiene and one of the most cited research scientists in German history. He says, in reference to the German government's corona virus containment measures (similar to those in many other countries):

The government’s anti-COVID19 measures] are grotesque, absurd and very dangerous […] The life expectancy of millions is being shortened. The horrifying impact on the world economy threatens the existence of countless people. The consequences on medical care are profound. Already services to patients in need are reduced, operations cancelled, practices empty, hospital personnel dwindling. All this will impact profoundly on our whole society. All these measures are leading to self-destruction and collective suicide based on nothing but a spook.

An embedded YouTube video in which Dr Bhakdi expressed his views in more depth no longer exists as the good doctor has had his YouTube channel deleted:
  

Some have quipped that COVID-19 would be better referred to as COVID-1984. In Australia at least, it really does feel like 1984 has arrived. This chilling video (opening screenshot below) is clear evidence of it and is contained in an article from news.com.au titled:

Coronavirus Australia:  

Can you sit down at the park? 

The short answer is no. The problem is with plenty of people stopping at the same time, the park ends up with 50 people in it. NSW Police Commissioner Mick Fuller said there were a lot of what ifs, like if you were exercising, which is still allowed in all states in Australia. Asked whether a mother and kids could sit on the grass in the park and let them crawl and run around, Mr Fuller told the Today show that could count as exercise. “But again, the problem is, I guess if everyone went down to the park at the same time it becomes a complicating factor,” he said. “But do the kids have it or do you have it without symptoms and you are spreading it to someone else who comes in contact with your kids – and I know there is a lot of what ifs in this space, that's why I've asked police to continue to show high levels of discretion. “And I think they have been doing such a wonderful job with that regardless of some of the reporting.”

It good that police are showing "high levels of discretion" but the fact that they even have the discretion to decide such matters in the first place is alarming. More disturbing is that many Australians, like my friend, seem to be OK with this level of control being imposed upon them. 

The article continues:

“You shouldn’t be stationary. You shouldn’t be sitting anywhere – especially if 50 people might be social distancing, but if they’re all sitting in a park, that’s not acceptable. “That’s why police have had to act.” She said “if a number of people are stationary (in a park) that’s an unsafe place”.

It is bizarre to suggest you shouldn't be stationary in a park but NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian was serious. Who would have imagined this rather creepy looking woman issuing such a prohibition at the start of the year? Oh and here's a photo of her with you-know-who.

Needless to say she's up close and friendly with the Jewish community. In her own words, Israel is "a state that embodies the best of Jewish tradition, free speech and debate, innovation, ingenuity and above all else, resilience".