To The Editor,
“The responsibility to critically analyze.” That statement made me wonder: How to analyze something which has the solidity of fog? Such as COVID-19 information.
This from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) document titled, “CDC 2019-Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel.”, dated July 13, 2020. Page 39: “Since no quantified virus isolates of the 2019-nCoV are currently available, assays [diagnostic tests] designed for detection of the 2019-nCoV RNA were tested with characterized stocks of in vitro transcribed full length RNA…”
If the CDC had no “quantified virus isolates” as of July, who did?
How to critically analyze a pandemic which, again according to CDC figures, has a mortality rate of .26% among those exposed. While limitations/restrictions are placed on medical access for serious health problems, and the tragedy of the overdose situation across Canada goes ignored. Alberta recently stated there were twice as many deaths this year from OD than Covid19-related.
How to critically analyze mask wearing which went from ‘don’t bother’ to mandatory with no differentiation between an n99 and a bandana. Worn not to protect one’s self, but others. That while the virus was spread by aerosol, which was changed to droplets, and is now back to aerosol. Attempting critical analysis on such information leaves one in the position of Pavlov’s dog.
How to critically analyze a situation where, by way of promoted fear, people are disadvantaged because they took the path of entrepreneur in lieu of a government job. Disregarding the fact that small business makes up about 42% of GDP while governments have zero cash except for what can be raised through debt and taxation.
How to critically analyze what is actually taking place: What was once dismissed as conspiracy theory is now being openly promoted by Boris Johnson. In a speech last week he said. “We have been through too much frustration and hardship just to settle for the status quo ante – to think that life can go on as it was before the plague; and it will not… We are resolving not to go back to 2019.” In the UK, and probably here, there is no intention to going back to ‘normal’.
Which brings me to slavery. Perhaps I should have used Proverbs 22.7 or Norm Franz’s definition that debt is the currency of slaves. To be fair to Mr. Barr, he never mentioned the American situation; just slavery in general. Which as one letter writer notes, in a dictionary is defined on a sliding scale. Considering Mr. Franz’s point of view and the biblical, “the rich rule over the poor and the borrower is slave to the lender”, our governments are doing their best to ensure citizens are hopelessly snared in debt as the rich increase their wealth and power. A child born in Canada today arrives with a $60,000.+ burden and the number is rising fast. That is mathematical analysis.
But those leading us into terminal debt and destroying entrepreneurial spirit are elected or appointed officials who have only our collective good at heart. Are they not?
Time will tell.
Gordon Fraser, Champlain
