Open letter to UK Government slams lockdown

Campaign group Us for Them in collaboration with Time for Recovery has orchestrated the sending of an open letter to the UK Government criticising it’s use of data to justify another lockdown. The collective voice of the doctors and scientists who’ve signed the letter decries the Government’s ‘disproportionate’ response to the pandemic saying mass testing has distorted the risk posed by the virus. In France, 200 lawyers have written an open letter (English translation) to Emmanuel Macron protesting new lockdowns. In it, they point out that whilst nothing is “more important than life”, as per President Macron’s statement, this doesn’t take account of the physical, mental and social wellbeing of individuals that are significantly impacted by lockdowns. In a mirroring of the renewal of UK Government emergency powers, the French Parliament has also voted to extend emergency powers in France until the end of February thus prolonging the misery of its citizens due to ongoing draconian restrictions.

UK Government to give vulnerable people vitamin D

In a massive about turn, the UK government is reported to be drawing up plans to provide care home residents and those deemed to be clinically at risk with a four-month supply of vitamin D. While the ANH welcomes the news, there is still a long way to go until clinically relevant levels of supplementation are achieved. For more information why we need vitamin D and what our levels should be, visit our Test & Take Vitamin D campaign. A recent study published in Frontiers in Nutrition discusses the importance of supplementing micronutrients for individuals who are at increased risk of severe covid-19, particularly obese patients. The team advocate the use of a patient-tailored dietary programme to ensure a balanced intake of nutrients along with a range of micronutrients and fish oils to reduce levels of inflammation and support immune function.

UK Government moves to tackle vaccine ‘misinformation’

The UK Government in discussion with social media companies, has agreed measures to limit the spread of vaccine ‘misinformation’ and help people to find ‘approved’ information on covid-19 vaccines. They have agreed no user or company should directly profit from covid-19 vaccine ‘mis/disinformation’; ‘misinformation’ will be removed more quickly by the various platforms; they will continue to promote authoritative (aka. state-controlled!) messages and join new policy forums to improve the response to mis/disinformation and prepare for future threats (whatever they may be). The Times reports that GCHQ (Government Communications Headquarters) has been told to “take out antivaxxers online and on social media” using methods designed to counter terrorist propaganda. Such tactics are likely to fan the flames of people’s concerns rather than allay or reduce them. Until governments and health authorities understand that people have valid questions about a medical intervention that involves shooting something into their bloodstream, vaccine hesitancy is only going to increase. Global governments must engage in open and transparent discourse around vaccine questions, publish full research data and be open and honest about adverse events or citizens seeking to protect both their health and that of their loved ones will continue to be hesitant. The very notion of informed consent demands full transparency.

Dirt is good for children’s microbiome

Children that play in forests have a more diverse microbiome than those that play in playgrounds. A new study published in Science Advances found that exposing kids to microbes found on the forest floor is beneficial for immature immune systems. It took just four weeks of regularly playing in the forest to increase microbial diversity on children’s skin. At ANH we have always been huge advocates of the benefits of being outdoors in nature and suggest you try to get outside every day wherever possible.

Dutch advisory panel calls for caution around 5G

A “cautious approach” to the implementation of 5G is being recommended by a Dutch advisory panel due to the potential health risks of exposure to 5G radiation. It is also advising that the 26 GHz frequency is not used “…for as long as the potential health risks have not been investigated”.