World's most famous medical journal is accused of doing China's dirty work - my Mail on Sunday report on how @TheLancet stifled debate on the lab leak theory while praising Beijing dailymail.co.uk/debate/article…
Reveals that cabal behind Peter Daszak's infamous statement trying to close down debate on 'conspiracy theories suggesting Covid-19 does not have a natural origin' and endorsing China's 'rapid, open and transparent sharing of data' is preparing a second statement in the journal
Another scientist discloses that the editor rejected his attempt to discuss scientific involvement in persecution of Uighurs on grounds that it might cause problems for his Beijing editor - yet he repeatedly attacks democratic leaders in the UK & US
Little wonder there is growing criticism from scientists, MPs and even fellow editors of medical journals over 'kowtowing' to Beijing - and growing concern over appeasement of China by influential scientific journals to protect corporate interests.
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The @WHO investigation into Sars-CoV-2 claims to have conducted systematic & comprehensive research in its Wuhan probe into the pandemic origins. Note how it is a joint study to appease the Chinese dictatorship that covered up the disease with such devastating global consequences
Chinese expert using @who platform to push debunked idea that the pandemic started outside its borders by stressing that this investigation into the origins is only ‘the first part’, the ‘China part’, and is not limited by geographical location.
Now the Chinese representative is saying cough medicine sales from pharmacies do not indicate early spread of Sars-CoV-2. ‘There is no indication of spread before December 2019.’
'People have every reason to be confident and calm about all that kind of thing… all the coronavirus, and any threats from disease,' Boris Johnson, Feb 2020.
'We can turn the tide within the next 12 weeks and I’m absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country,' Boris Johnson, March 2020
'We can now see the sunlight and pasture ahead of us. And so it is vital that we do not now lose control and run slap into a second and even bigger mountain,' Boris Johnson, April 2020
Some quotes from self-declared superforecaster Dominic Cummings that are interesting in light of the PM's refusal to hire anyone that challenges him and this government's shambolic incompetence on everything from protecting people in pandemic to the exam fiasco
1) 'Everyone is discouraged from telling the truth to important people. It isn’t a culture in which you admit mistakes. There’s no grip, no focus.' He was attacking Cameron's coalition but sounds familiar, doesn't it?
2) 'The people at the apex of political power (elected and unelected) are far from the best people in the world in terms of goals, intelligence, ethics, or competence.' Yes, his government proves this point daily...
If you want to see the damage that Brexit has wrought to Britain, consider the fact that Claire Fox became a regular voice on the BBC, then an MEP and now has been elevated to the House of Lords by Boris Johnson.
Over the course of her career as a 'controversialist' she ran a magazine that libelled ITV journalists by alleging they faked evidence when exposing some of the worst atrocities in Europe since WW2. It also opposed gun controls after the Dunblane massacre.
During the Iraq War her party - which published the magazine - did not just oppose a foolish misadventure but rooted for Saddam Hussein against British troops
Certain political stories are lethal because they cut through to voters on a personal level while inflaming concerns lurking in people’s minds. The Mirror story about David Cameron’s car taking his shoes to work while he cycled and smiled at the cameras was a prime example
This is the danger for the government in defending Cummings. Clearly his actions were hypocritical & wrong. They must have been known to Downing Street. They anger voters locked up, losing jobs, missing their own families & even funerals in these dark times.
However much they try to spin, this single story exposes arrogant & elitist attitudes behind the populist stance of people in power. It does so with far more force than angry speeches or columns. And it comes after enforced U-turn revealed lack of concern over health & care staff
Do all deaths count equally? I've been trying to get clarification today after @NHSEngland medical director Steve Powis said: 'I can commit that from next week we'll be publishing data on learning disabilities; autism, and mental health patients who have died in acute hospitals.'
2/ My understanding from the NHS is that it will publish data that has been verified on the deaths of anyone with a learning disability, autism or mental ill health who has died, with confirmed Covid-19, in any NHS setting.
3/ But hold on: they still seem to be working out details so could not, for instance, say if this would include people funded by the NHS in private hospitals and units. Clearly only just begun focusing on this issue. Bottom of priorities again, for all the waffle.