Ultimately, the authors properly observe that the lockdowns made no sense and that closing schools hurt kids badly. But this should have been foreseen from Day 1. What were the Big Fail’s authors, their employer—The New York Times—and similarly-situated others saying 45 months ago, when it mattered?
The Big Fail…Failed: A Review Continue Reading
There is a strange way in which US lockdowns and disease panic miraculously healed the US/China trade rift that had been developing for the two years prior. Most “personal protective equipment” and especially masks used during the lockdown period in the US was imported from China in a deal between Trump and Xi, brokered by Trump’s son-in-law. Trade recovered, beginning with pandemic-related goods.
Why Your Mask Came from China Continue Reading
I would have hoped that the arts community would be the first to welcome a return to seeing faces, exchanging smiles, and including all who want to benefit from the inspiration of art. Sadly this has not been the case.
Dear Art Institution: End these Mandates! Continue Reading
Covid has made a mockery of our university system and I am not sure if it will ever recover. My dreams of college and life in California have died a slow, painful death since Covid shut the world down back in March 2020. I am no longer angry. Life is too short and I am going to go start living it.
How Lockdowns Wrecked this Student’s Dreams Continue Reading
Covid-19 cases will eventually rise. I don’t know when, but we are extremely vulnerable to an ill-formed and schizophrenic response. As we near midterm elections, politicians will be more volatile, and seek to control news that is seen as a threat to political fortunes. That’s the territory for bad decision making.
What Happens When Cases Rise? Continue Reading
The discretionary powers granted to state authorities to curtail the spread of the virus have yet to be fully documented or interrogated. Did these tactics accomplish anything that benefitted public health? Particularly with a year and a half of hindsight, it’s doubtful. Unless “needlessly hassling a bunch of people” somehow counts as a public health triumph.
Police Charged Thousands of People For Petty COVID Violations Continue Reading
There is no going back to a time before Covid-19 made our world crazy. You are right to be mistrustful of trusted officials and respected institutions. Zweig’s writing lays out all the evidence you need to feel this way.
The Pandemic That Broke Our Faith in Modeling Continue Reading
In Speakeasy World, people were aware that they lived in a panopticon. But they realized that the one and only guard was probably checking TikTok on his mobile phone during working hours instead of surveilling prisoners. The prisoners made a calculated bet that the guard was not paying attention to their transgressions.
The Speakeasy World of Covid Lockdowns Continue Reading
In short, draconian restrictions on vaccinated young people or those with natural immunity living in tiny pockets of college campus makes no sense, and is a policy that contributes to a harm in societal well-being. The policy is unethical and illogical.
It’s Madness What Is Happening to College Kids Continue Reading
This paper is exactly the type of analysis that is crucial to quantifying the effect of Covid Policy response on our children’s education. Unfortunately, it’s after the fact. Many warned of the devastating unintended consequences of school closures. Our politicized, polarized culture clouded the judgement of our education leaders when it really counted.
Chronic Absenteeism Worse in States That Closed Schools Longer Continue Reading
