‘Anti-vax’ rhetoric hots up

The mainstream media has exploded in recent weeks with calls for punitive action for anyone who expresses any doubts about the fast-tracked ‘saviour’ covid-19 vaccines. Following announcements by the UK Government of its plans to combat vaccine hesitancy, the UK Labour Party called for emergency legislation to be implemented to “stamp out” what it calls dangerous anti-vax misinformation. In the US, the American Medical Association has adopted a policy designed to educate doctors to deal with patients who express concerns over vaccination for covid-19. Draconian censorship and attempts to stamp out valid concerns over the safety and efficacy of these vaccines, particularly given the glaring absence of data, does nothing but entrench people’s mistrust and misgivings. Establishing “Vaccine confidence” (now used instead of ‘vaccine hesitancy’) is going to take honest, open and transparent discourse as a starting point, not the authoritarian diktats of a totalitarian nanny state.

People power forces Danish government to back down

The Danish government recently proposed new laws that could be used to implement restrictions in the event of future pandemics. The proposals included the ability for people deemed to be infected to be forcibly hospitalised, treated and isolated, as well as vaccinated. The Danish Medical Association responded to the proposals saying it believed they went too far and that compulsory vaccination should only ever be used as a last resort. Danish citizens protested for 9 days against the proposed legislation, which resulted in them being defeated. However, there are reports that the Danish government is now redrawing the proposals, which will be presented to Parliament in December.

German doctors oppose further restrictions

Fifty German medical associations have co-signed a white paper opposing even tighter restrictions aimed at combatting the ongoing spread of SARS-CoV-2. In the paper they propose a system more akin to that proposed by the Great Barrington Declaration and oppose the continued use of lockdowns due the damage they cause. German citizens rallied outside the German Parliament building this week to oppose attempts by the German government to enshrine draconian pandemic restrictions in law. Mainstream media reports showed the police taking hard action to break up the demonstration, although social media posts suggested the large demonstration was peaceful.

Portuguese court questions validity of PCR tests

A Portuguese court has questioned the validity of PCR tests. It has ruled that the Azores Health Authority does not have the authority to detain individuals on the strength of a positive PCR test after tourists were detained without being assessed by a doctor. As part of its ruling, the court said the reliability of PCR tests is “more than debateable”. The case was brought by tourists who had tested negative for coronavirus prior to travelling, but then tested positive several days later leading to them being detained for 14 days. This is the second time the Constitutional Court has found the Azorean authorities to have violated the Constitution by imposing a mandatory 14-day quarantine on visitors to the region.

Pharma CEO says pandemic is ‘greatest hoax’ driven by media and politicians

In a highly unusual move, Dr Roger Hodkinson, CEO of Canadian pharmaceutical company Western Medical Assessments, said the coronavirus pandemic is being driven by the media and politicians and is the ‘greatest hoax’ ever perpetrated on an unsuspecting public. He made the comments during an Edmonton City Council Community and Public Service Committee Meeting (listen from 8:25:50) discussion over the implementation of a bylaw to mandate the wearing of face coverings. He also said masks and social distancing are useless and positive PCR tests are driving public hysteria, adding testing should be stopped unless someone attends hospital with respiratory problems. He also called for care home residents to be given vitamin D to support immune function and reduce their risk of severe illness.

Irish doctors call for evidence-based approach to pandemic

A group of Irish medical and public health professionals calling themselves ‘COVID Recovery – A Scientific Approach’ have published a White Paper calling for an ’evidence-based’ approach to the management of the pandemic. The paper provides a cost/benefit analysis of lockdowns and calls for an end to their use due to the damage caused by such interventions. The group doesn’t believe all of the available expertise in Ireland is being heard, and raised concerns over the absence of balanced debate in the media around covid-19 related issues. It also calls for the protection of the more vulnerable, restoration of a full health service and the suspension of fear-mongering government propaganda.

New film highlights dangers from GMOs

A new short film ‘Don’t Let the Gene Out of the Bottle’ has been launched by the Institute for Responsible Technology. The film aims to convey the potential for damaging and corrupting natural gene pools through the release of genetically modified organisms into environment. It focuses on a form of genetically engineered (GE) bacteria that could, theoretically, end terrestrial plant life, another with the potential to alter weather patterns and a lab enhanced GE virus that’s far more dangerous than covid-19. The film will be used to raise awareness of the dangers posed by genetically modified organisms, educate the public and media about the issues and support actions to enact laws and resolutions in the US.

Research update

Gut dysbiosis

New studies have linked gut dysbiosis to a number of chronic diseases. In the first of our selection, published in mSphere researchers have recognised many autistic individuals suffer from inflammation and dysbiosis. As a result, they’re investigating the use of faecal transplants to improve the condition. Published in IOS Press another study links the development of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer’s Disease (thought to be part of the body’s immune response to endotoxins entering the brain) to imbalances in gut flora. Continuing the theme of gut dysbiosis, a study published in ACS Publications links common chemicals found in many indoor environments with reduced diversity of gut flora in children. Patients diagnosed with depression have been found to have a higher risk of developing inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) such as IBS, Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis according to researchers from Imperial College, London publishing in Gut. The link between gut dysbiosis and IBD is already well documented, although the researchers in this case do not appear to have made the link.

Vaping

A new study published in JAMA Network Open found e-cigarette users have a 43% increased risk of developing respiratory disease, while those who have used them, but given up, have a 21% increased risk. Recent years have seen a dramatic increase in the use of vaping products and e-cigarettes as public health authorities push them as a healthy alternative to traditional smoking, despite studies pointing to the associated risks.

In Brief 

UK Government to ban junk food advertising online

The UK Government has revealed plans to bring in a total ban of online junk food advertising to children as part of its obesity strategy. It has also launched a new public consultation seeking feedback on the required measures. The new rules would cover foods deemed to be high in fat, salt and sugar, but this could affect healthy foods that are naturally high in fat such as avocados or olive oil. The move is thought to be linked to Boris Johnson’s brush with covid-19 and his realisation that his weight was a large factor in the severity of his illness.

Harms from radiofrequency radiation

A new consensus statement has been released to reflect the concerns of UK and International medical and scientific experts and practitioners on the acute and chronic health effects from electromagnetic radiation (EMRs). The statement has been signed by groups representing more than 3,500 medical doctors. It also sets out six urgent actions including an immediate moratorium on 5G, wireless smart meters and other new source of RF emissions, the establishment of new safety limits and banning of Big Tech companies from being involved in the development of public health policies related to the development of new technologies that emit EMRs.

Vitamin supplements no better than placebos

Publishing in The BMJ researchers conclude taking vitamin and mineral supplements do not benefit health suggesting any perceived health benefits are due to expected benefits rather than clinically measurable health outcomes. The Council for Responsible Nutrition has called the results into question saying there are a number of issues with the methodology used in the paper, including a lack of information on the actual supplements being taken and how they’re being used. Given the research was a paper-based exercise and did not include the use of testing or the evaluation of health status its conclusions are unsurprising.