UK – Parliament renews draconian emergency powers

The Coronavirus Act 2020 was renewed yesterday (30 Sept) with an overwhelming majority in Parliament. The Act, which quietly slid into law in March 2020 at the start of the pandemic, handed the UK government carte blanche to instigate draconian restrictions that heavily impact citizens’ freedoms and human rights. There has been no real recourse to Parliament as the Government ricochets from one restrictive, and often conflicting, intervention to another. Many of which are based on very questionable or absent science. The only concession given at the time was that it would have to be reviewed and renewed by Parliament every six months. In the run-up to yesterday’s debate and vote, more than 100 MPs expressed their discontent in the Government’s handling of restrictions by siding with Sir Graham Brady to bring an amendment that would force the Government to allow Parliament a say before any further interventions were instituted. Following discussions, and news that the Speaker of the House would not allow the amendment to be heard, the Government appeased dissenters with a promise of greater consultation with MPs over “significant national measures ...wherever possible”. The concessions may have resulted in a win for the Government, but represent a further slide into totalitarian control for UK citizens which is likely to give rise to many more protests. Protests which are creating increasing animosity as police crack down with questionable force on those trying to exercise their freedom of speech and right to peaceful assembly. We wonder if the Government has already backtracked on its pledge to involve Parliament as further, tougher, restrictions have been announced affecting those in the Liverpool area.

Eminent doctor challenges Boris Johnson to debate coronavirus science

Dr John Lee has challenged Boris Johnson to organise a televised public debate to discuss the science around the coronavirus pandemic. Writing in the Mail Online, Dr John Lee offers some straight talking on the extensive damage to citzens and the economy, being brought about by the UK Government’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Calling out the lack of usual care by the NHS in the initial months, he remonstrates with medics who’ve remained mute despite the devastation that’s been wrought not just on our elderly population, but on those who’ve been denied the treatment they need for other conditions such as cancer. He also criticises the Government for constantly changing policies from the initial calls to save lives and protect the NHS to the narrative now which is all about maintaining draconian restrictions until a saviour vaccine is available. But at what cost to UK citizens? Not surprisingly, these figures are ones the Government has yet to provide.

Natural health, covid prevention and treatment

A team of doctors and health researchers from the University of Southampton and Universities in Switzerland, Sweden, the Netherlands, Germany, China and other countries are researching what, if anything, people have been doing to prevent themselves and others from catching Covid-19, and if they have fallen ill, what treatments they may have used to help them overcome the illness. They’re asking people over the age of 16 (and particularly elderly people) to complete a survey to help them understand why some people develop serious illness as a result of SARS-CoV-2 while others don’t. They hope these data might help inform prevention strategy and which treatments, if any, are more effective than others in dealing with infection. We are heartened to see that the researchers are just as interested in natural as well as pharmacological. This is a unique opportunity for data to be collected on natural and sustainable approaches, including diet and lifestyle interventions. For those who haven’t experienced any illness in recent months the survey will take approximately 10 minutes and for those who have, around 20 minutes. The more people who take part the more diverse and complete the data will be so do please share with friends and family and ask them to take part.

Andrew Lloyd-Webber speaks out for the arts

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Andrew Lloyd-Webber has revealed he is taking part in the Astrazeneca vaccine trial saying he will do almost anything to help get Britain’s theatres and arts venues open again. The Arts sector in the UK has been particularly badly hit by the restrictions brought in to control the spread of SARS-CoV-2. Many in the sector have tried to innovate by taking shows outside, but the flip flopping of authorities in removing and reinstating restrictions has left many with no option but to cancel events. Andrew Lloyd-Webber has been very vocal in his calls on the UK government to provide more help to the industry before venues and shows are lost forever. Britain’s Arts, yet another victim of a virus that is of relatively low virulence and moderate contagion.

Americans’ resilience hits all time low

The Cigna Resilience Index has revealed that three in five Americans are suffering from low resilience. This assesses an individual’s ability to recover quickly from life challenges. Its findings show that children start out with a high level of resilience, but it drops sharply after age 11 and continues to decline through to age 23 after which it can recover. The report states the key drivers of resilience are exposure to diversity, social connectivity, and mental and physical health. In our view, a significant omission in the report’s recommendations when discussing resilience is the importance of what we eat. Good nutrition is essential for a strong, healthy, resilient mind and body - but also is reflected in a resilient immune system.

Largest CBD trial to date announced in UK

The Association for the Cannabinoid Industry (ACI) has announced the launch of a landmark study to fill in the gaps of key toxicology and safety data to support the FSA’s requirement for CBD manufacturers to obtain Novel Foods registration for CBD products. The study is supported by a consortium of companies in the industry from both the UK and the US. The news comes as the Food Standards Agency (FSA) published additional clarification around the need for additional safety and toxicology studies. The European Industrial Hemp Association (EIHA) also announced earlier this year that it would be investing around €3.5 million to undertake studies of CBD and THC in order to submit Novel Food applications in order to protect what has become a vital part of the supplement industry.