The Emperor with No Economy On! NPHET Incompetence Part 11
October 25, 2020
The Emperor’s New Clothes (1) is a literary folktale written by Hans Christian Anderson”
In Ireland its fitting to juxtapose the word ‘Clothes’ with the word ‘Economy’.
Now who is the Emperor with no Economy? That would be Micheal Martin but some would argue its Tony Holohan.
Those who disagree with Covid Level 5 or indeed with lockdowns are variously denigrated as head bangers or radical extremist members of the Far Right.
Those who disagree with lockdowns or are critical of NPHET are subject to a media witch hunt. I don’t support all of Donald Trump’s views but sympathise with his efforts to keep the US economy going and resisting the more draconian supporters of lockdowns that have increasingly become more absurd and irrational. That view alone is a guarantee you’ll be pilloried and decried with vehemence in Ireland.
So, hands up, a level-headed approach to this subject, on this island, will be regarded as extremist even fanatical! Make your own mind up!
Its interesting to analyse why this is so. I think partly this is due to the US election and fake news that has politicised Covid-19.
RTE is one of the most biased, propagandistic and unfair news media stations in Europe. To be fair, they would argue the opposite. The larger the issue the more the subject is presented with bias and propaganda. High on the list is Brexit and Donald Trump. I wouldn’t be surprised to see a queue of commentators outside RTE against Boris Johnson or Donald Trump each one parading the same negative toxic view. Waiting to get on the latest magazine or news show.
Those of us who enjoy political debate curious to understand both sides, will be sadly disappointed. There’s an interesting research degree that could be offered to listen and to view all of RTE’s broadcasts over the past month and to present an Excel Spread Sheet summary of the time, duration, topic under discussion, leaving out names, but stating the views expressed re Trump and Johnson. Overwhelmingly, RTE is negative Trump and negative Johnson.
Chief offender would be Ryan Tubridy whose light entertainment status is being seriously eroded by his inimical despising of both politicians whenever the chance to do so presents.
NPHET support in RTE now trumps support of anti Trump and anti Johnson views.
Lets pose a few questions worthy of greater consideration in the media in regard to being anti NPHET
In effect this is part 11 of an earlier blog https://colmbrazel.wordpress.com/2020/10/18/nephet-incompetence/
(2)”Suspension of disbelief or willing suspension of disbelief is a term coined in 1817 by the poet and aesthetic philosopher Samuel Taylor Coleridge, who suggested that if a writer could infuse a “human interest and a semblance of truth” into a fantastic tale, the reader would suspend judgment concerning the implausibility of the narrative. Suspension of disbelief often applies to fictional works of the action, comedy, fantasy, and horror genres. Cognitive estrangement in fiction involves using a person’s ignorance or lack of knowledge to promote suspension of disbelief”
Cognitive estrangement is promoted willy nilly by supporters of NPHET and our erstwhile Emperor Martin. Those who disagree with their ‘scientific’ insight are themselves ignorant extremists, knaves and fools, headbangers!
One commentator in a put down describes “…the headbangers in their simple world, left out the word ‘alone’ and shrieked: “The WHO said lockdowns don’t work, so NPHET is corrupt – see, everyone is corrupt.”
Sure fair comment if anyone said that. But they didn’t, incompetent yes, corrupt no. That commentator in earlier part of his article did good work describing the WHO demand for “strong public health measures….the task is no less than to hunt down every element of the virus, wherever it has infected us”.
So it must be some form of cognitive estrangement on his part to acknowledge the lack of testing and strong public health measures required by the WHO for lockdowns to work, to argue in favour of NPHET lockdowns!
The WHO regards lockdowns as a last resort because of the damage done to the economic, sociological and psychological well being of the old and the young and not so young in our society.
From President Trump down there are thousands of experts worldwide who would disagree with Michael Martin’s incarnation from Taoiseach to Minister for Misery, Minister for ‘No Economy’. 80% of carriers of Covid show no symptoms at all. I’m looking at the positive side of that figure, the negative side is the incongruous opening of schools under Level 5 when children can be asymptomatic carriers bringing Covid-19 home and transmitting to other children in school. Level 5 is absurd in the above context.
No proper assessment and analysis of the occurrence of Covid-19 is being presented to the public other than the blind presentation of fear mongering data by RTE almost on a daily basis. We are not presented with the analysis, where the outbreak is exactly, who gets it, age breakdowns, infection rates, recovery rates. We are more likely to be presented with fear-mongering propaganda rather than mortality rates.
Its fair on the mortality rates currently being presented that COVID-19 has similar mortality rates to that of severe flu with the increasingly obvious reality that many recover quite quickly with mild symptoms from Covid-19. Yes, the elderly and those with underlying conditions making them vulnerable, absolutely require to be protected. NPHET’s presentation of data to the public is sparse to the extreme. Scrutiny and scepticism in a democracy are healthy attitudes to foster, not the witch hunting of those who want to see the data.
ICU rates due to COVID-19 are stable and relatively low. The public are cooperating but their incredulous willingness to suspend disbelief will not last for ever. They will react against the Ministry for Misery and throw out those who support the Minister for No Economy, when the real casualties arrive in our hospitals from suicide, unemployment, postponed hospital procedures, inconsolable hospital waiting lists, lack of investment in housing and infrastructure.
When the public are told they spent our money instead of for the above, but on locking up the Economy, in failed and incompetent effort to manage Covid-19, in every way as failed and messy as their efforts to manage the economy, they will not be forgiving of this incompetence.
Many disbelieving souls wonder at how the emergency funding of lockdowns was not in previous years available for the emergency funding of hospital beds and solving our housing crisis…but that’s another story. Meanwhile, we must await for more of this NPHET mess to unravel.
Show us the data! Infection rates, recovery rates, severity rates, county by county, suburb by suburb, daily rates compared to weekly and monthly rates. Categorise on age basis. Mortality rates compared to expected mortality rates normalised on a per population basis. Lets have the rates scientifically scrutinised and validated.
Such are some of the questioners posed by headbangers in Ireland…..! Am I being too simple, or has Michael Martin brought our economy to its knees with No Economy On.
For sure you and your children will be paying for this down the line.
till again
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Emperor%27s_New_Clothes#:~:text=%22The%20Emperor’s%20New%20Clothes%22%20(,translated%20into%20over%20100%20languages.
- https://ibtheatre201416.weebly.com/suspension-of-disbelief.html#:~:text=Suspension%20of%20disbelief%20or%20willing,would%20suspend%20judgment%20concerning%20the
NPHET Incompetence!
October 18, 2020
Stockholm Syndrome has an interesting definition:
“Stockholm syndrome is a condition in which hostages develop a psychological alliance with their captors during captivity. Emotional bonds may be formed between captors and captives, during intimate time together, but these are generally considered irrational in light of the danger or risk endured by the victims.”(1)
There are certain irrational emotional bonds occurring between some politicians and some commentators and our erstwhile NPHET captors.
NPHET is assumed to have scientific insight higher than the rest of us. We should not question this superior, “scientific” knowledge. “Per capita, the Irish equivalent would produce 18,000 corpses – at best, in a best case scenario. Ten times the current figure.” (2)Such is the argument posed against allowing the disease to move through the population freely,
Unfortunately, such scare mongering and misinformed presentation of arguments for and against NPHET is becoming more and more hysterical and endemic.
A more informed, objective and emperical and scientific rebuttal of NPHET’s contribution to the Covid-19 debate is long overdue.
There is strong scientific evidence that lockdowns simply do not work, (3)
“South Korea permitted much of its economy to remain open, choosing instead to engage in aggressive testing and isolating the infected, either via hospitals or isolation centers. South Korea also engages in extensive digital contact tracing to notify people when they have come in contact with others having COVID-19.
As of July 22, South Korea (population of more than 51 million) has had13,979 cases and 298 deaths (0.0272% and 0.000579% of its population, respectively.)
Italy, on the other hand, pursued a strict lockdown policy when the virus was spreading heavily in the spring. The country has a population of 60 million, comparable to South Korea. As of July 22, however, Italy has had 245,590 cases and 35,097 deaths (0.406% and 0.058% of its population, respectively), orders of magnitude higher than South Korea. “
Arguably NPHET’s response to the pandemic has been more hysterical than scientific and objective. Ireland has been the victim of painstaking lockdowns that at most slow down the virus. Its economy has paid the price and this cost becomes higher by the day.
In the face of visible failure to contain the virus, increasing numbers now suggest as early as tomorrow Govt will impose level 5 restrictions
Does the above explain it, it shouldn’t cause that’s the old list, here’s the new(6). Here are the changing goal posts:
Note the Level 5 Stay at home except to exercise within 5km from home…we wont talk about tyranny, democracy, free speech…prepare for the worst.
Let’s look at NPHET’S dismal failure to manage our response to Covid-19.
We should expect at the minimum that delays achieved by so-called lockdowns, would have NPHET lead the prepping of our hospitals for the coming challenge of Winter Flu, Covid-19, delays of necessary procedures, hospital waiting lists, supply of PPE equipment, adequate isolation procedures, recruitment of extra staff, supply of extra hospital beds.
On each of those headings NPHET deserves an E.
NPHET has failed to deliver a coherent response to lockdown. Inter county GAA matches can only spread COVID-19 putting young players at risk. A car stopped beside me this morning, laughter inside, driver and 2 passengers guys in their early twenties, picking up another excited passenger obviously heading up to Roscommon for a match, judging by the Roscommon plate on the car. I hoped they will have a great day, they deserve the break. No masks.
Kids walking home from school, young teenagers, in groups bunched together, chatting and talking, no masks; apart from one guy I assumed must have underlying asthmatic or similar respiratory condition. It was heart warming to see them enjoying themselves.
(4) Young people can act as “silent spreaders” of Coronavirus:
“The potential role that children could play in this pandemic should not be underestimated,” study co-author Dr. Lael Yonker, told UPI.
“Even though children generally only develop mild illness with acute infection, they have the potential to carry and spread high levels of virus [to] individuals [who] may be more severely affected,” said Yonker, who is director of the Cystic Fibrosis Center at Massachusetts General Hospital.
The contagion of children infected with COVID-19 has been unclear. Evidence from several European countries suggests that the virus can spread among school-age children, according to a report by the University of Washington.”
Its very likely the above is contributing to rising levels of Covid-19 because of NPHET support of keeping our schools open. Young people with high levels of Covid-19 infection high enough that would hospitalise an adult, can spread Covid-19 at alarming rates.
Our schools are open, our border with NI is open, our airports are open. Yet NPHET best scenario is to advise further lockdown, let’s say advice to close the front door while opening all the windows. As a matter of interest, Irish rail propose opening the windows on carriages without air conditioning, so wear a jumper if travelling by rail. Or make sure your carriage has air conditioning.
Further anomalies exist in the NPHET anomolous messy management of Covid-19. The widespread targeting of the elderly imposing cruel and lonely lockdown in situations where other precautionary measures would be more effective.
Perhaps the most damning example of NPHET management of Ireland’s response to Covid-19 has been in the area of information management and contact tracing.
The public need to know where Covid-19 is in the community, who has it, how many infected, age profile, the precise location of outbreaks. The most NPHET have advised is nothing, no advice there at all. We rely therefore on RTE. Presumably because of some bizarre rules re confidentiality the most we get are numerical breakdowns on transmission rates inside a county where numbers are flaring. This is only of limited value bizarrely counter productive and of fear-mongering value.
Contact tracing has been an absolute disaster and proven singularly ineffective perhaps led by failure to invest in staffing and infrastructure. NPHET are silent on this issue also. The US have a new test as fast and effective as a pregnancy test, we don’t. (7)
Members of NPHET are drawn largely from administrative levels of the Irish Health Service (5) responsible in part for the exposed and understaffed Irish hospitals without even enough beds to cope for Winter Flu never mind the critical care needs of Covid-19. Aided by a supplicant and unquestioning government straining at the leash to shut down our whole economy in further efforts to damage it, we should prepare for the worst.
If you are in any doubt at this point, my views are that lockdowns do not work. Management locally of Covid-19 outbreaks are crucial. The public need full disclosure and be fully informed. Our health service requires full expansion to cope with any surging of numbers. The yoyo of lockdown will only succeed in destroying our economy compounding the damage done by Covid-19.
NPHET and govt response to Covid-19 has been a miserable failure, further level 5 lockdown in the face of the above reality, will be disastrous.
There is plenty of evidence to suggest the scare-mongering figure of 18000 deaths due to Covid-19 is extreme-scare mongering that is false. Protecting the elderly and the vulnerable and ourselves can keep numbers down. I agree with the position of Dr Martin Kulldorf, a Professor of Medicine from Harvard University and author of a global petition calling for the end of Covid-19 lockdowns has called Ireland’s 5-level strategy a “fantasy” plan that could cause the country to endure yo-yo restrictions for years”(8)
NPHET need to take accountability and failure for the far from scientific failures described above.
till again….
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stockholm_syndrome
- Gene Kerrigan, Sunday Independent, p34, Oct18.
- https://www.heritage.org/public-health/commentary/are-lockdowns-necessary-what-data-10-countries-show
- https://www.inverse.com/mind-body/coronavirus-how-asymptomatic-carriers-spread-virus-like-covid-19
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/who-are-the-nphet-members-overseeing-ireland-s-response-to-covid-19-1.4241823
- https://www.irishtimes.com/news/ireland/irish-news/covid-19-nphet-recommends-state-moves-to-level-5-restrictions-for-four-weeks-1.4371810
- https://www.theverge.com/2020/8/26/21403432/fda-authorizes-binaxnow-covid-19-test-abbott-cheap-fast
- Niamh Horan, p17, Sunday Independent, Oct 18
NPHET’s Poor Response to COVID-19!
October 5, 2020
It would appear NEPHET are in favour of raising lockdown to Level 5. I would like to add my voice to that of Dr Martin Feeley’s objection to NEPHET’s approach to lockdown.
I agree with Dr Feeley that NEPHET’s management of the Covid crisis is based on poor testing and tracing. Its scientific foundation is poor and based on evidence that is less than conclusive and whose rigorous nature has a lot to be desired.
Opening schools while advocating lockdowns is contradictory. Children can be carriers returning the virus to homes whatever Lockdown is in place. Transmission levels will increase as long as the schools are open.
A Plan must be in place to deal with school outbreaks:
I agree with the policy of keeping schools and colleges open. There is a level of Covid that will not be eradicated from our community. Its a level we must learn to live with and control as best we can. Not with a policy of National lockdown, but with targeted and effective control and damage limitation at the local level based on the best scientific data we can gather.
https://www.gov.ie/en/campaigns/c36c85-covid-19-coronavirus/
I’m not arguing that NEPHET’s knowledge of economics is equivalent to that of those who would respond to a Covid-19 case on a plane, that the solution is to switch off engines in mid flight.
But we do have to question whether their advice is making a cure worse than the disease. Currently, though cases are on the rise, cases requiring ICU, or death because of Covid, they remain low.
Uncharted are the hidden consequences of unemployment and loss of income and absence of social interaction on mental health in the community.
Resources channeled to fight Covid take away from already scarce resources in hospitals in the treatment of other diseases. The effects of delays and long waiting lists have lasting consequences including rising mortality rates from other causes throughout the community.
“The vast majority recover
For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia.
The vast majority who become infected recover. The World Health Organization says people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness may take three to six weeks to recover.
While the elderly or those with preexisting health conditions are considered most at risk, “people 30, 40, 50-years-old get sick with COVID,” Aylward said. “Most of them will recover and be fine. Some of them won’t. And some of them even will die.”
“We don’t know who. And we don’t know why,” he said. “That’s very unsettling.”
“Most of them will recover and be fine. Some of them won’t. And some of them even will die.”
Only within the past few weeks have scientists and researchers associated the presence of a randomly distributed genetic mutation distributed in our populations that render a person extremely vulnerable to a severe reaction to Covid-19. That is why one young individual may have a severe reaction to Covid while another same age and without underlying conditions, may have a mild reaction.
https://www.thejournal.ie/ireland-coronavirus-testing-5068982-Apr2020/
https://ourworldindata.org/coronavirus-testing
April last we were falling far short of our testing targets and we’re still falling short:
The data upon which NEPHET base their advice on is relatively poor. We have never achieved the target projected at 100,000 tests per week set last April by Tony Holohan of NEPHET
Latest data as of Oct 1, 2020 gives the rate in Ireland as 24.211 tests per 100,000 . Our population is 4.904 million. It would take approx 50 weeks at a 100,000 per week to test the whole population. Above numbers suggest we are scoring around the 25% in terms of our projected testing goals. However, compared to other countries we score quite highly, Germany 203 tests per 1000, UK 308 tests per 1000, Eastern Europe approx 90 per 1000, Spain 202 per 1000, to give some examples.
Another measure of Covid-19 is the reported cases to GP’s and hospitals particularly numbers requiring ICU and mortality rates. They can be said to be on the rise in Ireland led it can be assumed by the opening of schools and the beginning onset of the winter season.
“”What we found, as a general principle – not a general principle, a pretty robust principle – is that it doesn’t help to restrict movement,” Aylward, a former WHO emergencies chief, said outside a room at agency headquarters devoted to the outbreak. “What you’re really interested in is: Where is the virus? The viruses in the cases, the viruses in their close contacts.”
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