88.6% of over 16s have had their 1st dose and 79.2%
have had their 2nd dose. So, why? The diminishing returns alone would make this a costly and pointless exercise.
“Nothing is so permanent as a temporary government program” – Milton Friedman. With no scientific justification for vaccine passports, are they digital ID through the backdoor?
I hoped the most benign interpretation was that the government was bullying young people. (And that's not very 'benign', is it?) But no, they seem committed to introducing an illiberal ID system that robs you of bodily autonomy.
And this is despite 9/10 Brits having antibodies already. (ONS.) 88.1% adults had 1st dose vax already and 69.1% 2nd dose. Introducing a passport now is beyond the point of diminishing returns. Where is the cost benefit analysis? The scientific evidence? The impact statement?
If this was a genuinely medical necessity then negative tests would and natural immunity would suffice. The vaccine does not prevent transmission. It reduces severity of symptoms.
'More than nine in 10 UK adults say they are happy to receive a Covid vaccine.' This is '8 out 10 cats prefer Whiskas'. Social conformity & norms. It's 'safe' to make the same choice as everyone else.
The term ‘vaccine hesitancy’ is quite a new term. It implies a slight pathologisation. At the least, the vaccine sceptic looks a bit silly.
Something a little strange is afoot. Many, many people have observed you cannot find A State of Fear by searching for it on Amazon. Indeed it is no longer on my Amazon Author page. So please use the direct link or UK bestseller list until @AmazonUK@AmazonHelp respond & resolve.
Simon Stevens has said that 20,426 people are being treated for Covid in hospitals in England, which is higher than the previous peak of about 19,000 in April.
This compares two absolute numbers, but there are serious problems.
1. It’s winter and we always have more patients in winter than we do in April. For background context let’s compare occupancy and ICU for this December with previous Decembers going back 5 years.
2. Numerically there are more patients but just presenting that as a crude statistic is disingenuous because we also have more beds nationally than April. Without the occupancy % figures it’s impossible for anyone to understand what the inpatient numbers mean.
I was warned to expect a backlash, and had a few refusals. But this was an important story and I knew I could tell it with compassion and integrity. The women who trusted me and took part are truly brave and have lived several lifetimes in one.
Creativity, investigation and social documentary must be intrepid, honest and from the heart. There’s more to come from me in 2021!