Civilized said:
I completely agree the government's messaging has been at times innaccurate, misleading, and/or inconsistent. It's been bad at times. There's no other way to say it. I'm not here to pretend like that's not the case.
But there also has to be acknowledgment that some of that is inescapable in an extremely complex, rapidly evolving global pandemic of a novel virus. The evolution of our knowledge about behavior and treatments has been exponential over the last 22 months. Scientists, engineers, and leaders on the bleeding edge of a novel pursuit always get some things wrong. Always. It's part and parcel with being early.
Berenson basks in the luxury of hindsight; has no responsibility to make actual decisions or lead anybody; and is not involved in any of the actual work of managing the effects of, or responses to, a novel virus. He's a Monday morning QB with a really loud microphone.
It's a gross understatement to act like some rando on Twitter is just one little peon. He has a million direct followers and reaches tens of millions more on MSM, Rogan, and other popular outlets.
And even with the benefit of hindsight and with no pressure to make rushed decisions in real time, Berenson still frequently publishes misleading and erroneous information that sows seeds of doubt about vaccine efficacy and safety, and for what? What is/are his motives?
We've got vaccines that are not indefinitely durable but have been world-changing in their ability to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death, and they are extraordinarily safe. That is unquestionable.
We've been clamoring for months here for there to be acknowledgement that hospitalizations and deaths are far more important than cases. So why, if vaccines are much less efficacious at preventing transmission after several months but are still highly protective against serious illness, hospitalization, and death, is he beating the "transmission" drum like he's bringing some hidden truth into the light?
What are the benefits of him describing the vaccine as a "therapeutic" having a "terrible side effect profile" (relative to what?) that doesn't "stop infection or transmission" (neither does the flu vaccine). Would a sober, impartial medical analysis find that statement to be clear and accurate and contextual?
The vaccines are highly, highly effective and safe. Him banging on the vaccines, instead of the mandates that are his biggest underlying problem, is completely irresponsible.
What, exactly, does Berenson see as his role when he's out there hacking under the guise of being some sort of COVID Truther Robin Hood?
And I'd argue that Fauci, Walensky, and the CDC have a MUCH larger platform with which to spew their misinformation than Berenson. So if he needs to be held accountable, they better damn well be.
Berenson may have done some theoretical harm with a few tweets by dissuading some from getting vaccinated.
Public health has done IMMEASURABLE harm by implementing bad policies based on misrepresentation of data and then still failing to use any hindsight to walk things back.
That mask tweet from Walensky was just a couple weeks ago, so don't peddle 'luxury of hindsight' with me. Even with that luxury, public health continues to misrepresent and straight out lie about data.
I am done with the bull**** noble lies AND the use of the pandemic to drive agenda.
Which is closer to the truth?
A) "The vaccine as a "therapeutic" having a "terrible side effect profile" that doesn't "stop infection or transmission" - Berenson allegedly.
OR
B) "Our data from the CDC today suggests vaccinated people do not carry the virus do not get sick" - Walensky
""You're not going to get Covid if you have these vaccinations."" - Biden
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You want to provide nuance to the side effect profile fine.
I am not arguing the vaccine doesn't have benefits and that it doesn't make sense for a broad segment of our population to take (and, yes, some even boost).
But Walensky and Biden's statements are flat out lies.
Berenson, however disingenuous or not is closer to the truth and that what gives him power.
If public health was truthful, then it would strip Berenson's counter narrative of its teeth. But they aren't.
Public health has used its platform and misinformation to enact and endless string of useless mandates and they have a MUCH bigger stage than Berenson to affect the broader population's daily lives.
So a few people who weren't inclined to take the vaccine continue not to be because of a few things Berenson said? Who cares? How does that affect my life?
Closing schools because unions say so then cherry picking data to try and justify your decisions? Get the **** out of here.
Now tell me?? Who has done more damage to the average person with their misinformation?
The CDC and the policies built off their lies? (Because they have no media presence amplifying their messages? lmao)
Or Alex "corner of the internet" Berenson? And his followers? How much of a following does he have? Hasn't he been chased to some small corner of the internet? (Honestly don't know. Haven't seen anything from him other than people talking about him like he is the boogeyman).
Please.