A CNN headline recently read: Former head of CDC believes that the Coronavirus came from a lab in Wuhan. Below the headline it said that he gave no clear evidence. But the disclaimer will not be important to most people who read the headline. Many will believe that the virus came from a Chinese lab, so more reason to hate China. They think that the head of the CDC must be telling the truth. But lets look at the facts here.
Robert Redfield was the CDC director under Trump. He is supposedly a very smart virologist. But it is also crystal clear what he said is just his opinion and not something most scientists who looked into this agree with. Redfield has a history of giving wrong opinions and facts. He has been known to give fake graphs in scientific presentations and as a researcher of AIDS had touted a potential vaccine as effective. This was not opinion shared by other scientists and it turns out we have no effective vaccine for HIV even today.
I think as the case of many people in the U.S. government, Redfield is attacking China to deflect blame for his own incompetence. This is not as bad as calling the China virus or kung flu to deflect blame. But this is not something he would have said if he had done is job well at the CDC. Regardless of whether you believe China was transparent in the beginning, the truth is that the U.S. got its first case at the same date as South Korea. Yet there is no pandemic in South Korea. Or for that matter most places in Asia. While South Korea went into action, our CDC under Redfield came up with inaccurate test kits. When Germany offered to sell us test kits, our CDC refused the offer. So that delay caused many lives.
As head of CDC, Redfield should have given accurate, consistent messages and directions to the public. Yet in the beginning the CDC said wearing masks only prevent those with the virus from spreading to others, not preventing uninfected people from catching the virus. There were also many times last year where Trump was giving false statements and Redfield did not fire back. So Redfield has been incompetent and is not someone we should be listening to.
One thing that strike me the most was when Redfield talked about speaking to his Chinese counterpart early during the pandemic. He said the Chinese scientist was crying because the death rate at that time in China was 5% of those infected, a very high death percentage. I don't remember Redfield mention that he or any American official cried when over 500,000 Americans died from the virus. If there is no empathy for the death of so many, why would there be concern for rhetoric that would open up more hate for Asian Americans?
I find that the headline from CNN is one of those deceiving ones. I'm not a big fan of those types of headlines but it gets people to stay tuned or to click. Unfortunately, some people will come to their own conclusion without watching or reading.
ReplyDeleteAs far as Redfield goes...he and Birx deserve blame for a lot of how the pandemic was handled by the previous administration. Even though it seemed like they were going along with the administration the people deserved the truth. But for them now to complain doesn't excuse how they behaved previously.
Did you see the footage of the 65 year old Asian woman who got beat up in front of a building in NYC? The security inside of the building did not interfere or help. In fact, one of the guards closed the door after she was attacked. Pretty disgraceful by those security people. I usually don't call for someone to lose their job but for them to turn a blind eye is not acceptable.
I read an article on China passing a "patriot election law" that limits Hong Kong voting power. Another example of the Mainland stripping HK it's freedoms. Article is below:
https://news.yahoo.com/china-passes-hong-kong-patriot-072856935.html
This reminds me of the actions that Florida is taking to take away voting ability of some people in the state. I see that the ACLU is suing the state now. I wonder how far this will get and if it'll be decided in the courts. I think one way around the no giving water to people is for someone to set up food and water stands and have someone buy the food and water for the people. I don't know how legal that would be or if they could maybe even sell the food and water for 10 cents.
Who do you have in the Final Four? Do you think Michigan will beat UCLA?
-LBOAYM
There was no real election freedom in HK before this so called patriot election law. The odds of the people against Beijing getting a majority in the legislature was impossible even before this law. And then whatever law is passed could be veto by Beijing, I mean the Chief Executive. Now having said that, it is practically the same as during the colonial days where the governor is appointed by London and whatever seats the Chinese win in elections were meaningless. Back then, Hong Kong was ruled by a colonial power with advice from the richest people of HK who were mostly British. Now you have a communist power in bed with the capitalist elite of HK which are mostly Chinese. It is the same, only the skin colors changed.
ReplyDeleteFor the ordinary Hong Kong people, there was no point in politics under British rule. Now there is no point in politics under Chinese rule. If they keep their noses clean and just try to make money, they will still live a good life. IF they try to fight the "Man". they will lose. Unfortunately that is the true history of the HK people as far as I know.
I think Michigan will beat UCLA. I have not seen UCLA play so well all season. I don't think they can keep it up. I see the USC is getting beat badly by Gonzaga. I think the percentage is catching up with the PAC-12. But hey, anyone can win or lose on a given day, just ask Illinois.