Politics of Covid-19
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It’s Been Nearly A Month Since Texas Governor Lifted Mask Mandate And COVID Cases Continue To Fall
When Abbott announced the end of the mask mandate in Texas, prominent Democrats jumped to call him a murderer, with President Joe Biden saying that Texas and Mississippi’s reopening of their economies was “Neanderthal thinking.”
“I think it’s a big mistake,” Biden said earlier this month. “Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms. We’ve been able to move that all the way up to the end of May to have enough for every American, to get every adult American to get a shot.”
“The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in mean time everything’s fine, take off your mask,” Biden continued. “Forget it. It’s still matters. … And it’s critical, critical, critical, critical that they follow the science. Wash your hands, hot water, do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distance. And I know you all know that, I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it.”
When Abbott announced the end of the mask mandate in Texas, prominent Democrats jumped to call him a murderer, with President Joe Biden saying that Texas and Mississippi’s reopening of their economies was “Neanderthal thinking.”
“I think it’s a big mistake,” Biden said earlier this month. “Look, I hope everybody’s realized by now these masks make a difference. We are on the cusp of being able to fundamentally change the nature of this disease because of the way in which we’re able to get vaccines in people’s arms. We’ve been able to move that all the way up to the end of May to have enough for every American, to get every adult American to get a shot.”
“The last thing, the last thing we need is Neanderthal thinking that in mean time everything’s fine, take off your mask,” Biden continued. “Forget it. It’s still matters. … And it’s critical, critical, critical, critical that they follow the science. Wash your hands, hot water, do it frequently. Wear a mask and stay socially distance. And I know you all know that, I wish the heck some of our elected officials knew it.”
North Carolina State House Passes Bill Limiting Democrat Governor’s Emergency Powers
The bill was unveiled a year after Cooper first instituted an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also known as the Emergency Powers Accountability Act, the proposed legislation passed 69-50 along a party-line vote in the lower chamber, after which it is slated to head to the state Senate for debate.
If passed, the bill would mandate that the governor obtains approval from a majority of the Council of State regarding any statewide emergency declaration that lasts longer than 30 days, according to The Associated Press.
The Council includes 10 senior executive offices of the North Carolina government. As the AP reported:
The bill was unveiled a year after Cooper first instituted an executive order declaring a state of emergency at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Also known as the Emergency Powers Accountability Act, the proposed legislation passed 69-50 along a party-line vote in the lower chamber, after which it is slated to head to the state Senate for debate.
If passed, the bill would mandate that the governor obtains approval from a majority of the Council of State regarding any statewide emergency declaration that lasts longer than 30 days, according to The Associated Press.
The Council includes 10 senior executive offices of the North Carolina government. As the AP reported:
Biden Is Unhappy That Baseball Fans Will Be Able to Enjoy Some Baseball
It’s not Biden’s job to be the owner of a baseball team or the commissioner of any baseball league. But he’s quick with an opinion about what one of the baseball teams in Texas should do on opening day.
Fauci…the guy’s who’s been on every side of the covid issue throughout this ordeal.
Biden called Texas a bunch of Neanderthals when Gov. Abbott lifted the mask mandate and allowed businesses the option of reopening. It’s just an option. Businesses can still choose how open they’ll be and they can even require masks if they want. Has Biden been here? Most businesses are still requiring masks, but they’re also opened up and hiring.
It’s not Biden’s job to be the owner of a baseball team or the commissioner of any baseball league. But he’s quick with an opinion about what one of the baseball teams in Texas should do on opening day.
Fauci…the guy’s who’s been on every side of the covid issue throughout this ordeal.
Biden called Texas a bunch of Neanderthals when Gov. Abbott lifted the mask mandate and allowed businesses the option of reopening. It’s just an option. Businesses can still choose how open they’ll be and they can even require masks if they want. Has Biden been here? Most businesses are still requiring masks, but they’re also opened up and hiring.
The CDC vs. the Constitution
Since last summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have used an obscure federal regulation to impose a nationwide moratorium on a huge chunk of residential evictions. This is constitutionally dubious, to say the least. But the CDC just extended it through June.
The moratorium's proponents argue that federal authority over interstate commerce permits this move. But the Interstate Commerce Clause isn't a plenary power over all areas of life simply because everything, at a certain point, can be linked to commercial activity. The Tenth Amendment makes clear that all powers not expressly delegated to the federal government are left to the states. Still, the Commerce Clause has been used to justify a myriad of regulations that involve no commerce "among the several states," and in some cases no "commerce" at all. Notable examples include prohibiting cannabis grown in your backyard for personal medical use, or stopping the control of a rodent population that has no commercial value and lives only in southwest Utah.
Since last summer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have used an obscure federal regulation to impose a nationwide moratorium on a huge chunk of residential evictions. This is constitutionally dubious, to say the least. But the CDC just extended it through June.
The moratorium's proponents argue that federal authority over interstate commerce permits this move. But the Interstate Commerce Clause isn't a plenary power over all areas of life simply because everything, at a certain point, can be linked to commercial activity. The Tenth Amendment makes clear that all powers not expressly delegated to the federal government are left to the states. Still, the Commerce Clause has been used to justify a myriad of regulations that involve no commerce "among the several states," and in some cases no "commerce" at all. Notable examples include prohibiting cannabis grown in your backyard for personal medical use, or stopping the control of a rodent population that has no commercial value and lives only in southwest Utah.
Courts since the 1930s have often validated federal overreach under cover of the Commerce Clause. But in United States v. Lopez (1995), the U.S. Supreme Court held that gun-free school zones had nothing to do with interstate commerce. The Clause, it cautioned, does not invite a court to "pile inference upon inference in a manner that would…convert congressional authority…to a general police power of the sort retained by the states."
No, There Is No Fourth COVID Wave
Can we stop with this fourth-wave nonsense? It’s not happening. Cases continue to drop, especially in the states dubbed death zones by the liberal media. Georgia is fine. Texas, which nixed their mask mandate three weeks ago has yet to see a spike. If there is, it’ll be because of the abject failure that is the Biden immigration policy that’s created a humanitarian crisis at the border. What about CPAC? The largest conservative activists meeting of the year was held in Florida. Have there been stacks of body bags piled from that event? Nope. And that was held in February. Are there new cases? Sure, but they’re mostly younger people, the hospitalization rates aren’t nearly as bad as they were last year, and we have 100+ million vaccines administered. Remember just one dose of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine renders you virtually bulletproof after four weeks based on studies from Israel’s health ministry. And you get two scheduled two weeks apart, the same goes for Moderna. It’s funny how this fourth-wave doom narrative is now being peddled every time the evidence shows more and more that’s we’ve near herd immunity.
So, it’s a blue state issue. It’s an issue still plaguing lockdown states, who still think that staying inside prevents spread when it’s the main source of it. Yet, that's not the real issue. Of all places, it was NBC News that delivered the first katana strike to the “impending doom” hysteria the CDC was doling out post-Spring Break (via NBC News):
Can we stop with this fourth-wave nonsense? It’s not happening. Cases continue to drop, especially in the states dubbed death zones by the liberal media. Georgia is fine. Texas, which nixed their mask mandate three weeks ago has yet to see a spike. If there is, it’ll be because of the abject failure that is the Biden immigration policy that’s created a humanitarian crisis at the border. What about CPAC? The largest conservative activists meeting of the year was held in Florida. Have there been stacks of body bags piled from that event? Nope. And that was held in February. Are there new cases? Sure, but they’re mostly younger people, the hospitalization rates aren’t nearly as bad as they were last year, and we have 100+ million vaccines administered. Remember just one dose of Pfizer’s COVID vaccine renders you virtually bulletproof after four weeks based on studies from Israel’s health ministry. And you get two scheduled two weeks apart, the same goes for Moderna. It’s funny how this fourth-wave doom narrative is now being peddled every time the evidence shows more and more that’s we’ve near herd immunity.
So, it’s a blue state issue. It’s an issue still plaguing lockdown states, who still think that staying inside prevents spread when it’s the main source of it. Yet, that's not the real issue. Of all places, it was NBC News that delivered the first katana strike to the “impending doom” hysteria the CDC was doling out post-Spring Break (via NBC News):
The Creepy COVID Passport Initiative Now Has Competition
COVID passports aren’t the only creepy COVID tracking system in development. Here’s one that businesses can use, which comes with a Chinese twist (via Washington Free Beacon):
COVID passports aren’t the only creepy COVID tracking system in development. Here’s one that businesses can use, which comes with a Chinese twist (via Washington Free Beacon):
Jimmy Kimmel Fails Trying To Rip Americans Skeptical Of Mandatory Vaccine Passports
“You want to go to a movie theatre, should you have to show that? No. You want to go to a game? No. You want to go to a theme park? No. So, we’re not supportive of [vaccine passports],” DeSantis said in the clip played by Kimmel.
“Right, which is very rich coming from the party that wants nine forms of identification before you can vote,” Kimmel said, to which there was applause in the crowd.
Kimmel’s argument flips one of the many reasons conservatives argue against vaccine passports. Kimmel claimed that if Republicans support voter ID laws, then they should support vaccine passports.
But in fact, one of the chief contradictions those on the Right point out with vaccine passports — which The Washington Post reports the Biden administration is backing for people to prove their vaccination status — is the fact Democrats are actively opposing voter ID laws (in support of H.R. 1), but now advocating for a coronavirus ID.
“You want to go to a movie theatre, should you have to show that? No. You want to go to a game? No. You want to go to a theme park? No. So, we’re not supportive of [vaccine passports],” DeSantis said in the clip played by Kimmel.
“Right, which is very rich coming from the party that wants nine forms of identification before you can vote,” Kimmel said, to which there was applause in the crowd.
Kimmel’s argument flips one of the many reasons conservatives argue against vaccine passports. Kimmel claimed that if Republicans support voter ID laws, then they should support vaccine passports.
But in fact, one of the chief contradictions those on the Right point out with vaccine passports — which The Washington Post reports the Biden administration is backing for people to prove their vaccination status — is the fact Democrats are actively opposing voter ID laws (in support of H.R. 1), but now advocating for a coronavirus ID.
The Texas Neanderthals were right
Well, it appears the Neanderthals in Texas got it right, and Biden is the one whose thinking is caveman-like. Now, three weeks after Abbott’s order to lift the mask mandate went into effect, the Covid situation has improved in Texas. New cases are down, to their lowest level since June. Hospitalisations have fallen to their lowest level since autumn. Death rates have plummeted. Furthermore, the outlook for vaccinations in the state appears bright, with a record daily number of people receiving shots. Adults of all ages are now eligible for a vaccine jab, a faster pace than many other states.
Have Biden and the media apologised for slandering Texas? And have they learned that lifting mandates on mask-wearing and removing other restrictions does not lead to Covid-spreading? Of course not.
Instead, Biden cited an uptick in new cases nationally to bang on again about masks. ‘I’m reiterating my call for every governor, mayor, and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate’, he said earlier this week. ‘Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down.’ Biden’s plea came on the same day that CDC director Rochelle Walensky warned of ‘impending doom’. Holding back tears, she said: ‘Right now, I am scared.’
Overwrought emotionalism from the head of the CDC is not helpful, to put it mildly. Nor is a president insisting on state-mandated mask-wearing. Biden’s message implied that the latest increase in cases was down to states like Texas that have loosened restrictions on activity, but that is not true. In fact, the national increase was driven mainly by New York, New Jersey and Michigan – states that have imposed the most onerous of restrictions.
Well, it appears the Neanderthals in Texas got it right, and Biden is the one whose thinking is caveman-like. Now, three weeks after Abbott’s order to lift the mask mandate went into effect, the Covid situation has improved in Texas. New cases are down, to their lowest level since June. Hospitalisations have fallen to their lowest level since autumn. Death rates have plummeted. Furthermore, the outlook for vaccinations in the state appears bright, with a record daily number of people receiving shots. Adults of all ages are now eligible for a vaccine jab, a faster pace than many other states.
Have Biden and the media apologised for slandering Texas? And have they learned that lifting mandates on mask-wearing and removing other restrictions does not lead to Covid-spreading? Of course not.
Instead, Biden cited an uptick in new cases nationally to bang on again about masks. ‘I’m reiterating my call for every governor, mayor, and local leader to maintain and reinstate the mask mandate’, he said earlier this week. ‘Please, this is not politics. Reinstate the mandate if you let it down.’ Biden’s plea came on the same day that CDC director Rochelle Walensky warned of ‘impending doom’. Holding back tears, she said: ‘Right now, I am scared.’
Overwrought emotionalism from the head of the CDC is not helpful, to put it mildly. Nor is a president insisting on state-mandated mask-wearing. Biden’s message implied that the latest increase in cases was down to states like Texas that have loosened restrictions on activity, but that is not true. In fact, the national increase was driven mainly by New York, New Jersey and Michigan – states that have imposed the most onerous of restrictions.
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
Yeah, had the very same label in the ones I got from CVS. Think I posted it here somewhere a while ago.
I re-use mine, but give them a shot of lysol every couple of wears.
Made from the finest PCB infused Asbestos money can buy.
Sneakers
Just sneakin' around....
World Economic Forum Releases Damning Report On COVID-19’s Disproportional Impact On Women
The World Economic Forum’s “Global Gender Gap Report” was released last month, and began:
“We hope that this report will serve as a call to action to leaders to embed gender parity as a central goal of our policies and practices to manage the post-pandemic recovery, to the benefit of our economies and our societies,” wrote Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director and Head of the Centre for the New Economy and Society.
In the “Key Findings” section, there are several results regarding “Gender Gaps, COVID-19 and the Future of Work” which should concern those on either side of the “gender wage gap” debate.
The World Economic Forum’s “Global Gender Gap Report” was released last month, and began:
“We hope that this report will serve as a call to action to leaders to embed gender parity as a central goal of our policies and practices to manage the post-pandemic recovery, to the benefit of our economies and our societies,” wrote Saadia Zahidi, Managing Director and Head of the Centre for the New Economy and Society.
In the “Key Findings” section, there are several results regarding “Gender Gaps, COVID-19 and the Future of Work” which should concern those on either side of the “gender wage gap” debate.
Vermont Is Prioritizing 'BIPOC' Households for Vaccines. That's Almost Certainly Unconstitutional.
The prioritization of vaccine eligibility along explicitly racial lines is unconstitutional, argues Cato Institute legal expert Walter Olson in a December 2020 op-ed for The Detriot News written in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs opening up vaccines to black, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic veterans.
"This runs into the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says citizens of all races are entitled to the equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court has long interpreted this to mean that the government may ordinarily not dole out valuable benefits, or impose harms, based on a citizen's race," writes Olson.
It's true that people of color are more likely to be frontline workers or have health conditions that make them more at risk of COVID-19 complications and death. However, directing vaccines to those higher-risk people can, and should, still be done through race-neutral categorization, says Olson.
"Many sensible priority rules do incidentally protect relatively more minority persons — and that's fine, so long as the decision is based on the neutral grounds rather than being a pretext aimed at getting results based on race," he writes.
The prioritization of vaccine eligibility along explicitly racial lines is unconstitutional, argues Cato Institute legal expert Walter Olson in a December 2020 op-ed for The Detriot News written in response to the Department of Veterans Affairs opening up vaccines to black, Asian, Native American, and Hispanic veterans.
"This runs into the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, which says citizens of all races are entitled to the equal protection of the laws. The Supreme Court has long interpreted this to mean that the government may ordinarily not dole out valuable benefits, or impose harms, based on a citizen's race," writes Olson.
It's true that people of color are more likely to be frontline workers or have health conditions that make them more at risk of COVID-19 complications and death. However, directing vaccines to those higher-risk people can, and should, still be done through race-neutral categorization, says Olson.
"Many sensible priority rules do incidentally protect relatively more minority persons — and that's fine, so long as the decision is based on the neutral grounds rather than being a pretext aimed at getting results based on race," he writes.