Should COVID Vaccines Be Mandatory?

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Feb 05, 2021
There are five criteria to consider before deciding if a vaccine should be mandatory. So far, COVID vaccines only satisfy two of them, which is why they should not be mandatory.

There are five criteria to consider before deciding if a vaccine should be mandatory. So far, COVID vaccines only satisfy two of them, which is why they should not be mandatory.

Influenza Vaccination Saves Lives

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Feb 05, 2021
Ah, for the old times, when our biggest fear was seasonal flu. Roughly 80% of healthcare workers get vaccinated, more the docs and nurses, less the aides. Where it is required, the vaccination rate rises to 90%. [1] Those not getting vaccinated are doing harm, as a new study shows.

Ah, for the old times, when our biggest fear was seasonal flu. Roughly 80% of healthcare workers get vaccinated, more the docs and nurses, less the aides. Where it is required, the vaccination rate rises to 90%. [1] Those not getting vaccinated are doing harm, as a new study shows.

COVID and Culture: Countries with Strict Social Norms Fare Better

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Feb 04, 2021
While we lament the lack of cooperation in Western culture that allows a virus to spread, we can simultaneously celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that allows a cure to be discovered.

While we lament the lack of cooperation in Western culture that allows a virus to spread, we can simultaneously celebrate the entrepreneurial spirit that allows a cure to be discovered.

What I'm Reading (Feb. 4)

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Feb 04, 2021
I have been reading at the intersection of COVID and monopolies, COVID and modeling, COVID and our bureaucracy. For those who have been vaccinated once, the second dose may allow you to experience for a day or two, first hand, the power of our immune systems.

I have been reading at the intersection of COVID and monopolies, COVID and modeling, COVID and our bureaucracy. For those who have been vaccinated once, the second dose may allow you to experience for a day or two, first hand, the power of our immune systems.

Dr. Lee Merrit, Wakefield Wannabe

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Feb 04, 2021
The views of Dr. Merrit, a physician, on COVID-19’s origin story, biologic effects, and organized medicine’s response is classic misdirection and misinformation. It is time to debunk the distortions that cast more shadow than light.

The views of Dr. Merrit, a physician, on COVID-19’s origin story, biologic effects, and organized medicine’s response is classic misdirection and misinformation. It is time to debunk the distortions that cast more shadow than light.

How to Control Pain When You Have COVID

By Josh Bloom — Feb 03, 2021
Among the unpleasant effects of COVID is a whopping portion of aches and pains. Whether there is anything you can take to feel better -- for example, Advil -- is not clear. But two, large retrospective studies seem to give the thumbs-up to NSAIDs.

Among the unpleasant effects of COVID is a whopping portion of aches and pains. Whether there is anything you can take to feel better -- for example, Advil -- is not clear. But two, large retrospective studies seem to give the thumbs-up to NSAIDs.

India and COVID-19

By Chuck Dinerstein, MD, MBA — Feb 03, 2021
India’s population is 1.4 billion, four times greater than in the United States. Yet we have 26 million cases of COVID-19, while they have 10.8 million. As for fatalities, India is closing in on 160,000 through Feb. 4, while the U.S. has recorded 455,000 – nearly three times as many. Further, U.S. healthcare is generally believed to be better than India's. So what’s going on here? More importantly, what can we learn?

India’s population is 1.4 billion, four times greater than in the United States. Yet we have 26 million cases of COVID-19, while they have 10.8 million. As for fatalities, India is closing in on 160,000 through Feb. 4, while the U.S. has recorded 455,000 – nearly three times as many. Further, U.S. healthcare is generally believed to be better than India's. So what’s going on here? More importantly, what can we learn?

Is It Even Organic in the First Place? Policing the Market.

By David Lightsey MS — Feb 03, 2021
Over this six-part series, I have demonstrated that purported organics are neither safer, healthier, tastier, or better for the environment. It is time to consider whether that organic label is trustworthy.

Over this six-part series, I have demonstrated that purported organics are neither safer, healthier, tastier, or better for the environment. It is time to consider whether that organic label is trustworthy.

COVID Lockdown Policies Are Inflicting Pain on Separated Families

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Feb 03, 2021
Millions of families around the world are separated due to COVID travel restrictions. These people are left to suffer in isolation, consoled only by the platitude that the benefits of strict lockdowns outweigh the cost of emotional pain and psychological torture.

Millions of families around the world are separated due to COVID travel restrictions. These people are left to suffer in isolation, consoled only by the platitude that the benefits of strict lockdowns outweigh the cost of emotional pain and psychological torture.

Benford's Law: Which Countries Are Committing COVID Data Fraud?

By Alex Berezow, PhD — Feb 02, 2021
A statistical test suggests that several countries are misreporting or fabricating COVID case numbers. The United States is included among those countries. Is there another explanation?

A statistical test suggests that several countries are misreporting or fabricating COVID case numbers. The United States is included among those countries. Is there another explanation?