Spend Less Time peddling unsubstantiated Covid-19 Conspiracy Theories, More Time Listening to Experts
Our country has experienced tough tests before. At the present time, the country (and the entire world) is going through another difficult period. We are facing a virus that has killed and sickened many people throughout the world. However, unlike previous occasions, where Congress and/or the president were partially or entirely culpable, the president’s response and the response of the federal government has been excellent with regard to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Rather, if we are to slow down the spread of this virus, Americans should spend less time peddling unsubstantiated conspiracy theories and more time adhering to the various governmental recommendations and/or guidelines.
The president and/or his team have publicly come out and said it. This virus is dangerous. It is easily transmitted. There is no vaccine. It is potentially deadly to the elderly and to those with weakened immune systems. Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, said that COVID-19 is at least 10 times “more lethal” than the seasonal flu. As a result, the president, with the help of top-notch doctors and scientists in the field, created a series of guidelines for people to follow in an effort to reduce the rate of transmission (spread) of the virus among the population.
Since that time, all sorts of conspiracy theories have evolved. Some people have accused/blamed Jews for the virus. Others have blamed the president for the virus. Some have opined that this is a huge conspiracy to sow fear in the hearts and minds of Americans in order to keep people at home, hurt the economy, and ultimately, hurt the president. There are even some who have questioned the seriousness of the Coronavirus simply because it has not resulted in as many deaths in the United States and worldwide as has the flu, for example.
While people are obviously permitted (and encouraged) to render their opinions in a democratic society, they would be well-served by utilizing facts to support their arguments/positions. For example, for those asserting that this virus is a conspiracy/effort to hurt the economy and to, ultimately, hurt the president, what factual basis is there for this conclusion? Clearly, the mortality rate of the virus to date doesn’t prove a supposed conspiracy, even if it is presently lower than the flu or other viruses. Nor does the media’s alarmist reaction to this virus (as opposed to the calmer reaction during previous viruses and administrations) establish a factual basis to find the existence of a conspiracy to hurt the economy and the president’s re-election efforts.
To the contrary, these conclusions are simply unsupported and unsubstantiated opinions and/or theories. For example, there is no doubt that many on the left and in the mainstream media would like nothing more than to defeat President Trump in November (they have come out and said so). In doing so, there is very little doubt that some would utilize this virus (and it’s impacts around the world) as a way to attack the president’s initial approach to dealing with this virus and his economic successes to date. In other words, some on the left will undoubtedly use this virus and its impact on the economy to attack the president.
Even if this is the case (it is), and while such accusations are expected, unfounded, and shallow, they do not establish a factual basis to find the existence of any so-called conspiracy theory. If, for example, there was evidence that China knowingly and intentionally released this virus into the United States with the blessing of one or more Democrats (an extreme example), this could change the playing field. However, the fact that Democrats could potentially benefit from the impacts of this virus does not, in and of itself, establish a plot or conspiracy to hurt the president.
Additionally, some have argued that the response to the Coronavirus has been extreme and has resulted in the involuntary loss of various rights and liberties. This conclusion is not necessarily wrong. After all, businesses have been forced to temporarily close, people are losing income, and workers are being laid off. One city, for example, recently ordered the closing of beaches, parks, libraries, restaurants, and bars to try to reduce the spread of the virus. Incidentally, this is not the first time that some Americans have made such arguments, which were also raised when the Patriot Act was authorized and implemented.
While such steps are unfortunate, there is also a compelling argument that they are necessary to preserve the public health. For example, while not necessarily analogous, in Jacobson v. Massachusetts, the United States Supreme Court considered the issue of mandatory vaccinations with regard to a smallpox outbreak. In discussing the Jacobson case, the AMA Journal of Ethics explained:
There the Court ruled that the police power of a state absolutely included reasonable regulations established by legislature to protect public health and safety. Such regulations do not violate the 14th Amendment right to liberty because they fall within the many restraints to which every person is necessarily subjected for the common good. Real liberty for all cannot exist if each individual is allowed to act without regard to the injury that his or her actions might cause others; liberty is constrained by law. The Court went on to determine in Jacobson that a state may require vaccination if the board of health deems it necessary for public health or safety.
Unfortunately, as it always the case in times of turmoil, everyone has an opinion. The trouble with unsubstantiated/unsupported opinions is that they lead to false/fallacious conclusions. The president and his team of experts have provided their guidelines/recommendations, some of which include staying home, staying away from groups of people, working from home (if possible), and using proper handwashing. State/city governments have also implemented closures to further try to reduce the spread of this disease.
When it comes to this virus, we are not all experts, not should we pretend to be. Rather than pushing unsubstantiated conspiracy theories, perhaps it is time for all Americans to listen to those who are in the know, including the doctors and scientists who have been studying this novel virus since it came to light. If we do that, we can hopefully start to turn the corner, slowly get back to life as we know it, and re-kindle the economy.
Mr. Hakim is a writer, commentator and a practicing attorney. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, The Epoch Times, The Western Journal, American Thinker and other online publications.
The fallacy in the primus of your article is right there in the title; instead of being wary of the LIAR Mainstream Media and the unceasing effort of Government to take more control of our lives (THAT is the conspiracy – with the entirety of human history to prove it!) you tell us exactly what we expect from a Progressive Leftists Liar; “oh, stop thinking and just trust the ‘EXPERTS’ “!
More “proof”; “conspiracy mongers” don’t have the masses whipped up into a toilet paper PANIC! People who listen to us typically have a brain between their ears and know how to THINK FOR THEMSELVES! They have already figured out on their own that common sense pretty much works for everything! They think critically and react accordingly!
THERE IS a conspiracy! It has repeated throughout history over and over; the self declared “Natural Superiors” have sought, CEASLESSLY, to enslave the masses. They do so by STEALING the LAW (thru government and “EXPERTS”) and making criminals out of the ordinary human being simply by exercising his God-Given, Natural Rights!
You quote the Supreme Court but the Supreme Court has been exceeding it’s Constitutional Authority since 1803!!! Case law does NOT trump Constitutional LAW!
You may have a right to speak as we all do – but I also have the right to not only not listen to you but call you a liar to boot!
You mentioned the Patriot Act. That was a temporary measure and the “Experts” promised it would be removed when the crisis was over. Well! The crisis just NEVER ended and they made the Patriot Act PERMANENT!! Indeed, the Left has gone so far to admit Crisis is their best means to accomplish their goals! For instance WWI produced the “League of Nations” as World Government. But that failed so they conspired to trigger another World War and they did it by creating Financial Chaos! Nothing happens in Politics that isn’t planned!
What? You need proof of that? Go talk to the Council on Foreign Relations and the Privately owned Federal Reserve! Look at all the money that has been supplied to our Commuinist Enemies – BY THEM!
I guess to the uninitiated, government and “expert” – even bought and paid for medical “experts” (ever hear of the HMO Act of 1974 that has made hospitals RICH?) who just care so much about us – are all you have! Notwithstanding the definable erosion of our people’s liberty! The only people and experts who have any real voice in all of this are the bought and paid for liars who – as experts – will tell us what our enemies want us to believe!
Yet government – ALL governments – has but ONE Righteous purpose; to protect our RIGHT to protect our own lives and property. PERIOD. ALL else is Theft, Enslavement or Murder!
As to the virus being more dangerous than the flu! Where is YOUR proof. You want my proof but all you give me is the word of the Experts!!!
Numbers ARE the Truth; 1 + 1 NEVER = 3! This flu season has exceeded 42 million cases and 52,000 deaths (Oct. to Feb. 2020) in this country alone! So far the C. virus (I.D. 19) has killed less than 150 people and in 2 full months has YET to exceed 10,000 cases; hurricanes have been worse! In 1919, in the same length of time 10s of thousands of people died – of the FLU! – in this country alone. A quarter of the earth’s population were infected and as many as 100,000,000 people died! Out of less than 2 billion souls!
You may wonder why my response is so vitriolic. I am sick to DEATH of the lies and liars. Above all else I HATE lairs! Now you tell me black is white and white is black! STOP INSULTING MY INTELLEGENCE! I am done with you!