Virus measures cause more harm than good

THE EDITOR: In 1948, the WHO defined health as follows: “Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or other physical impairment” [https://www.who.int/about/who-we-are/constitution].

The current global measures taken to combat SARS-CoV-2 violate, in no small way, this view of health and human rights. Measures include compulsory wearing of a mask (also in open air and during sporting activities and, in some countries, like our own, even when there are no other people in the vicinity), physical distancing, social isolation, compulsory quarantine for some groups, and hygiene measures.

The objective facts now show a completely different picture. The current crisis management has become disproportionate and causes more harm than it does any good. “A cure must not be worse than the problem.” This thesis is more relevant than ever in the current situation. The collateral damage now being caused to the population will have a more significant impact in the short and long term on all sections of the community than the number of people currently being safeguarded from the coronavirus.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the measures were understandable and widely supported. Admittedly, there were differences in implementation in different countries. The WHO originally predicted a pandemic that would claim 3.4 per cent victims – in other words, millions of deaths – and a highly contagious virus for which no treatment or vaccine was available. The grim prediction was that this virus would put unprecedented pressure on the intensive care units (ICUs) of hospitals globally.

This led to a global alarm situation, unprecedented in the history of humanity. “Flatten the curve” was represented by a lockdown that shut down entire societies and economies and quarantined healthy people. Social distancing became the new normal in anticipation of a rescue vaccine.

The course of covid19 followed the path of an expected wave of infection similar to a flu season. Every year we see a mix of flu viruses following the curve: first, the rhinoviruses, then the influenza A and B viruses, followed by the coronaviruses. There is nothing different from what we usually see.

The use of the non-specific PCR test produced many false-positive results and showed an exponential picture that turned out to be entirely false. This test was rushed through with an emergency procedure and was never seriously self-tested. The test creator expressly warned that this test was intended for research and not for diagnostics.

The test does not measure how many viruses are present in the sample. A real viral infection means a massive presence of viruses, the so-called virus load. If someone tests positive, this does not mean that person is clinically infected, is ill, or is going to become sick. Koch’s postulate was not fulfilled (“The pure agent found in a patient with complaints can provoke the same complaints in a healthy person”).

Since a positive PCR test does not automatically indicate active infection or infectivity, this does not justify the social measures taken, based solely on these tests.

STEVE SMITH

via e-mail

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"Virus measures cause more harm than good"

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