Looking at the comments on Tobys site its almost like if you keep underplaying covid and hinting that there are alternative reasons for lockdown other than public health, you might encourage ppl to question vaccination.
Telling people there's minimal risks from covid, constantly claiming that we're just about at herd immunity is going to make people question why they need a vaccination
So I suggest Toby stops tossing his toys out the pram and starts taking some responsibility for the choices he's made.
Stop preaching personal responsibility and start practicing it.
However Toby is bang on trend, shifting the debate away from the partially vaccinated, those still waiting, those who can't for medical reasons and the fact vaccines aren't 100% effective.
The more I think of this the more I get a whiff of eugenics, getting a subtext of
"Only the undeserving will die"
"Let the idiots die"
Now consider implications with which communities are being labelled vaccine hesitant.
Platform skeptics, accuse education workers of being cowards because they claim the risks are incredibly low, keep pushing the line that the only ppl dying are ppl who were about to die anyway.
Sarah Vine is another one to constantly downplay risks who now seems annoyed people actually listened to her.
More importantly, the data just doesn't support the Government/client journalists narrative to shift blame away from their own actions
Doesn't help that media allowed skeptics pretending concern for children to push anti mask misinformation and now they're pushing an anti vax message for children, this is likely to increase hesitancy.
Mail really is going all out. Notice use of "excuse for lockdowns"
Still peddling lockdowns aren't necessary and hinting government has other motivations for lockdowns
Its like shouting "get vaccinated" and then loudly whispering "the government is exaggerating and seeking to manipulate you"
With this mixed messaging they really aren't helping with those who are hesitant.
And it looks like Russia are interferring, shame we didn't have some form of wide ranging inquiry into Russian activity... wsj.com/articles/russi…
Oh look UsForThem are also fighting against children being vaccinated, actually suggesting infection is better. Talking about "balance of harms" they further the anti vax agenda.
Yet this is the organisation invited to meet Johnson and ministers
#r4today Just had a one sided interview with someone from Joint Biosecurity on children being vaccinated "We don't want to immunise anyone who doesn't need it, think coverage will be high enough without vaccinating children"
UK gov currently has no plans for child vaccination
After listening to that interview, that wasn't balanced with an alternative view, its clear the government have no concerns with a large number of children being infected.
Still saying transmission isn't an issue in schools
What i can't believe is that once again UK take a policy stance that is at odds with most the works and there was no rigorous questioning from interviewer (@bbcnickrobinson I think)
Not even a mention that Israel and others have come to a completely different conclusion
Failed to provide evidence for taking Greenwich to court
Refuses to release data on testing trials in schools
Won't release the impact of its stealth cut to budgets
Gove's FOI blocking unit is certainly doing its job
Here's the failure to answer FOIs on testing trials. Completely unacceptable, we need to see what is information the government is basing its decisions on.
1/ Anyone notice a narrative forming today that there should be no delays to the roadmap because only people who haven't been bothered to get vaccinated are at risk?
"Anyone with common sense is already protected" several @lbc callers have said
2/ This has come with several statements
"Vaccines work just as well with B1.617.2"
"Higher transmissibility isn't an issue as there is no sign it has more severity or that younger age groups are impacted"
3/ I thought its been clear that we simply don't have enough data to know this yet. Seen reports on both sides
No suprise 2 voices are no are Dingwall and GBD Gupta.
Maajid Nawas also claimed as over 70% have antibodies we already have herd immunity
2/ Many questions have been raised regarding the ethics of these experiments, not only does it potentially increase risks but only those who skip isolation need to give consent
3/ I know its in the link above, but @neupresident and @HoppySaul are right to be stunned by this.
Thank you @SafeEdForAll_UK for seeking and and sharing the FOI
Scientist/Union/Parent: SAGE say masks should stay for now
Presenter: Cant keep wearing them for ever, if not now then when?
S/U/P: Couple of months?
P: What about balance of harms
SUP: What harms?
P:.er..learning..mental health?
SUP:Evidence?
Presenter: Now after dismissing SAGE advice, for balance I turn to a member of CRG/GBD/ or skeptic lobbyists group who have proliferated disinformation and opposed lockdowns and all safety measures in schools throughout,while also dismissing long covid in children and staff.
1/ 🧵 Arguments about data, confidentiality, consent and masks.
Interesting couple of days.
Data on VOC were released later than usual, B1.617.2 outbreaks are occuring in education settings as government seems set on removing masks
2/ There has been a lot of disinformation in the press about masks in schools, including promoting a court case that was found to be fundamentally flawed as the judge explained masks are encouraged but not mandated.
3/ This led to pro government media putting out headlines like "Johnson defies unions" ignoring the fact SAGE are advising for masks to be kept for now.
Certain media voices have been promoting the harms of masks for many months,it encourages the online abuse we recieve.