I look at the "Cases" chart and am bamboozled to be honest. Spent the better part of my adult life looking at data, generally technical data and some financial data. It genuinely seems to me that "locked down" or "not locked down" is firmly decoupled from the case outcomes. Population density does not correlate either. Oregon locked down and stayed locked down and has low number of cases. Other states that locked down have high number of cases. Trying to stack that by population density breaks down too. There is something about the transmission of this virus from patient to patient that we have missed.
Seeing the inconsistencies as well... (given the intial outbreak and then the variant outbreak...) I proffer this conjecture as an alternative possibility. a. I think we have had a much higher percentage of the population exposed than we will ever know. b. Some of us just don't show exposure because we don't need to create antibodies or they diminish so quickly we don't test positive for antibodies... Facts... a. PCR tests do not know the virus is live and infectious. They simply find remnants of DNA... not live virus. b. the antibody tests... mostly only pick the people who had serious infections after just few a weeks post infection. (some may never show as infected at all even if they were exposed and slightly infected) c. (rephrasing of the above) the stronger your immune systems the less likely you have antibodies the less likely you will be found to have been infected. This is conjecture for consideration... I am not even saying I think its 50/50. Since our data about who was infected is virtually useless for knowing the overall infection rate. I think its possible that rather than only a 30% or 40% asymptomatic rate... I think it could have been closer to hundreds of a percent. This virus may have hit just about everybody not in virtual isolation. And only a very small percent get hit hard enough to seek medical care or worse.. Now... I am not pushing that hypothesis because it lacks data. I am just saying it would explain many of the inconsistencies. Until each area hit natural herd immunity at the top of the wave... many more people than we can know were infected.... asymptomatic and virtually untestable.
DeSantis sent to arbitration by judge in his cruise lawsuit -- a lawsuit not supported by any cruise line. It should also be noted that Celebrity and Royal Caribbean announced this week that all passengers 16 and older must be vaccinated -- so much for DeSantis' rejecting "vaccine passports" in Florida. Of course this is coupled with the CDC announcing that vaccinated passengers do not have to be tested on cruise ships. The cruise lines have told him to buzz off and they have started to move their U.S. sailings to other states while re-positioning their ships away from Florida while flipping DeSantis the bird. DeSantis lawsuit against CDC heads to mediation as Florida cruises tread water On Tuesday, a federal judge in Tampa sent lawyers for the state of Florida and the CDC to mediation on the issue of whether cruises must comply with federal rules before setting sail. They have until June 1. https://www.tampabay.com/news/flori...-to-mediation-as-florida-cruises-tread-water/ The cruise industry must still fulfill rules established by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention before it can resume sailing from U.S. waters — at least for now. On Tuesday, a federal judge in Tampa sent lawyers for the state of Florida and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to mediation. The order was a set-back for Gov. Ron DeSantis, who sued the federal agency last month arguing that its rules unfairly target the cruise industry and asking the court to declare its framework to restart cruises — know as the “condition sail order” — unlawful by issuing a preliminary injunction. U.S. District Judge Steven Merryday of the Middle District of Florida is giving both sides until June 1 to mediate. At a hearing last week, Merryday questioned why the state waited until April 2021 to sue the CDC over the conditional sail order first issued in October. He said it is reasonable for cruise companies to be concerned about when they will be able to get back to business. No cruise companies joined DeSantis on the lawsuit. Most cruise companies are in the second phase of the conditional sail order after having successfully completed the first phase earlier this year by increasing COVID-19 testing capacity on their ships and reporting weekly crew member test results to the agency. In the second phase, companies are negotiating agreements with ports and local health authorities in the U.S. cities they plan to visit when cruises resume to avoid ships getting stranded at sea if there is an outbreak. After the agreements are in place, cruise ships can welcome passengers back in U.S. ports if companies can attest that 95 percent of passengers and 98 percent of crew members have been fully vaccinated against COVID-19. If a ship doesn’t meet the vaccination threshold, it will have to first operate test cruises with volunteers to make sure other virus prevention protocols are working. The CDC has said that it is possible companies can restart cruises in July, depending on how quickly they meet the agency’s requirements. Cruises in the U.S. have been banned since mid-March 2020 after COVID-19 outbreaks and deaths on multiple ships. Jude Merryday’s decision to order mediation weakens DeSantis’ bid to get the CDC’s safety rules thrown out immediately. At last week’s hearing, lawyers for Florida argued that the state is losing out on important tax revenue as cruises in the U.S. remain canceled and having to pay unemployment benefits to cruise industry workers. Legal experts called the lawsuit a “political stunt,” given the CDC’s broad authority to regulate public health and ports. Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, the third largest cruise line in the world, threatened earlier this month to restart its cruises outside of Florida if the state will not allow the company to guarantee that all passengers and crew on its ships have been vaccinated against COVID-19. DeSantis signed a bill passed by the Republican-controlled state Legislature that bans businesses, schools and government entities in Florida from asking anyone to provide proof of a COVID-19 vaccination.
DeSantis' new press secretary -- who did her best to persecute Rebekah Jones including providing most of the content in recent "expose" articles.... has to lock her Twitter account after harassment & threats. You know the same type of harassment & threats she urge others to pile on Rebekah Jones. Gov. DeSantis’ press secretary locks Twitter account after ‘harassment & threats’ Pushaw described the harassment as a 'disgusting' and 'deranged.' https://floridapolitics.com/archive...cks-twitter-account-after-harassment-threats/ Christina Pushaw, Governor Ron DeSantis’ new press secretary, locked her Twitter account on Thursday after receiving “waves” of “harassments and threats” on the social media platform. In a Tweet posted Thursday, the conservative journalist turned press secretary said the threats came after she announced her new gig with the DeSantis administration. “Hopefully it’s temporary,” Pushaw’s original tweet says. “I have a lot of work to do & a lot to learn, so it’s better this way for now.” Pushaw described the harassment as a “disgusting and deranged… coordinated attack.” And in a later tweet, she included a screenshot of a reported tweet that said “your death would not be a tragedy.” Pushaw’s twitter bio now says “temporarily locked” and references John 15:18 in the Bible. “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first,” the scripture reads in the New International Version of the Bible. Pushaw has worked as a freelance journalist with articles running in conservative outlets such as The National Interest and Human Events. She also has a background in public policy and international political communication. Pushaw is a graduate of the University of Southern California, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in history, and Johns Hopkins University, where she earned a master’s degree in international relations and economics. Background: Christina Pushaw, outspoken Rebekah Jones critic, tapped as DeSantis’ press secretary https://thecapitolist.com/christina...es-critic-tapped-as-desantis-press-secretary/ Florida Capitol Press Corps loves it some Rebekah Jones, but is silent on DeSantis’ new anti-Jones Press Secretary https://floridapolitics.com/archive...t-on-desantis-new-anti-jones-press-secretary/
Its good to know you're no longer disputing the allegations that Ms. Jones not only did not have the access to the data she claimed she was being "forced to alter", but that she actually caused the crashing of the official portal AND was disclosing private data in violation of personal data protection policy, and then left with an email blast to the whole department in a tizzy as she was fired. And that none of her claims were accurate. Now that we agree on that, we can talk about Christina Pushaw.
Except I don't believe anything you state above. It is all bunk. Can we ask why DeSantis is hiring a press secretary that has an outstanding restraining order against her. I guess I have to read that National Review thing now... Desantis hires a woman charged with violating a restraining order against me as his new press secretary, at the same time a smear piece from the Nationalist Review is released. https://rebekahjones.substack.com/p/i-guess-i-have-to-read-that-national?r=gc2sd What a week. On Monday, Desantis hired a new press secretary - the woman who is being criminally charged with violating a temporary restraining order I was forced to take out against after she repeatedly harassed and stalked me online. Her trial is set for next month. Her only previous job experience was doing PR for the totalitarian ex-president Mikheil Saakashvili, and writing a failed hit piece on me on an alt-right blog, followed by nearly three months of online stalking and harassment. You can view a record of Pushaw’s now-deleted tweets from April 1 - 23, 2021 as a PDF here or download as an excel file here. Tuesday, May 18, also happens to be the anniversary of the day I was told I could either resign with a small settlement (and agree not to sue) or I would be fired I was given until May 21, 2020 to make a decision. You can read the separation letter from my position as Environmental Scientist and Specialist in Public Health, which notably states I was fired for no cause, here. But let’s rewind a few days - back to Wednesday, May 12, 2021. While heading to the studio to shoot for an upcoming documentary about misinformation and anti-science campaigns in the USA during COVID-19, I got a notification that Jeb Bush had retweeted a National Review article that looked nearly identical to a tabloid article published a year ago by the Daily Mail. I read a few lines - mostly salacious, highly-sexualized language about how I had somehow tricked the entire world to believe some vast conspiracy against a corrupt governor- chuckled a bit, and then went back to work. On at least four occasions the Desantis administration has tried to ‘cancel’ science and the information I provide by releasing these alt-right blog pieces, filled with flagrant lies and failed attempts at character assassination. First they went after me, my family, and even my children, publishing their names, birthdates and even photographs in The Daily Mail. Disgusting and vile tactics that were rightfully decried from both sides of the aisle. But this isn’t even the first time the National Review published this article - they first released it in February, and along the way have essentially been pushing the same narrative. But it never works. They can’t get it to “stick.” Every single time, people see through the speculation, innuendo and complete lack of evidence provided by these libelous smear jobs. I don’t doubt this one will be forgotten, too. After all, the timing of the article against current events - political and economic - begs the question … Why am I such a threat to Desantis’ re-election, and way lay it on so thick now? Is he worried I’m running for Governor of Florida? Is this about my meeting with Rep. Jamie Raskin last week, and how we’re organizing briefing committees to Congress about what happened? Is it the movie deals, the book deal, my working on campaigns of people looking to unseat him? Or is it simply that he’s mad the press never “moved on” like he hoped they would? While I’m flattered that the GOP-disinformation network thinks one girl with a laptop is capable of duping the entire medical, academic, professional, and media establishments in a matter of months, I’m merely one small voice among a sea of folks who have come forward about the sickness and death caused by Desantis’ failed COVID-19 policies. Staff from the Florida Department of Health, the Agency for Healthcare Administration, the Department of Corrections, and other state agencies, have been coming forward with information about the secrecy and spin pushed by Desantis’ administration since before I was ousted for wanting to file a whistleblower complaint. And have continued to shine a light on his failings throughout the pandemic despite his threats and intimidation. The bravery of state employees who have leaked reports to the press, spoken on the promise of anonymity, and put their careers on the line should not be diminished by those with no first-hand knowledge or experience of what has gone on inside state government the last 17 months. My issues with how the state was presenting COVID-19 data to the public were specific, nuanced, and clearly outlined in the Whistleblower complaint I filed with the state more than 10 months ago. Each of those specific allegations were proven – not just by me and my information as the head of the public data systems and the COVID-19 dashboard, but by the Miami-Herald, Florida Today, The Tampa Bay Times, and further validated during the whistleblower complaint investigation in sworn affidavits by state employees. Most of what has been alleged about Desantis’ failed COVID-19 response came after I was ousted from my position, brought forward by brave state employees with information I no longer had access to – like sudden gaps in reporting deaths leading up to the election and how state employees were ordered not to even mention COVID-19 in the weeks leading up to the election. The Orlando Sentinel had to sue the state of Florida to gain access to the White House Task Force reports that showed much worse conditions for Florida than the Governor had led people to believe. That wasn’t my data, either, and I certainly wasn’t working with Trump's administration to smear Desantis. Many in the press, state government and even my own lawyers believe I am naïve in believing a mix of incompetent sycophants and scared pacifists were responsible for the mishandling of the COVID-19 reopening in the state. I wanted to remain private. I didn’t want to get into a feud with the Governor. When the Governor chose to out me to the world and launch me into quasi-celebrity status, he left me no choice but to speak out. This imaginary grand battle between myself and Desantis is about as accurate of a portrayal of what’s happened this past year as the state’s positivity numbers (which is to say, not). Comparing a scientist who reports data and advocates for transparency, with the man who runs one of the most populated states in the most powerful country on earth makes no sense. I have no power. I am nobody. I’m just a scientist with a laptop and a commitment to facts, science, truth and transparency. The Governor should take responsibility for his failed policies, for the missed opportunities to protect Florida’s people from COVID-19, for pushing out his own experts and alienating his employees who became so desperate and afraid that they wrote a public letter saying they felt their lives did not matter and that if they spoke up they would be fired just like I was. DeSantis runs the state, not me, and his failing COVID-19 response was only ever mitigated by local action and the collective efforts of science communicators like myself in ensuring the people of Florida knew what was going on and could make informed decisions about their personal safety. For a brief overview of all of the unethical, immoral and possibly illegal actions of the DeSantis administration during COVID-19, with proof (that’s still a thing), please read the article posted here. Note: 99% has nothing to do with me. I left the state in May 2020. Desantis’ troubles only increased by several orders of magnitude after that, so making it seem like I am somehow the sole source of the data showing his failure seems like he’s trying to put everything bad ever said about him onto… me. It seems I have managed to do something that few get the opportunity to do, though it was certainly never my intention – put cracks in the armor the GOP has spent decades molding, believing that they were invincible and no citizen, no “nobody,” could possibly breach their shield of power. Despite the smear campaigns, the raid on my home, and even political imprisonment, I have not given up fighting for the people of Florida. I’m a problem they can’t get rid of. I’m a voice they cannot silence. I’ve managed to go through their machine and come out the other side not tattered and torn, but stronger, more resilient, with more allies than ever before. For now, I’m going to continue focusing on the science, getting information to the people, and ensuring that everyone’s voice is heard. I want to thank everyone for all their support this last year. My family and I have found love and grace in the public’s unwavering support, and it is because of you that I’m able to continue to provide this information, fight disinformation, and work toward a better future for all of us. I still can’t wrap my head around why Desantis would hire my stalker, who is facing criminal charges in Maryland for violating a restraining order, as his press secretary, or why an outlet like the National Review would risk such a large libel suit to further Desantis’ baseless claims. I can only think that this is yet another escalation on his part, and I fear for my safety, my family’s safety, and the safety of anyone who gets in his way. If a girl with a laptop can bring down a corrupt governor, imagine how much we can change the world when we stand together. (Move at above url -- Her post includes a point-by-point Debunking of the "Rebekah Jones, the COVID Whistleblower Who Wasn’t" article by Charles Cooke. Her outline includes ALL the text messages and documentation between her and other staff members showing she did not crash the dashboard, she never locked anyone out, and documented the state of Florida confirmed she acted appropriately throughout her entire employment including her last few weeks.)
Its astonishing that anyone defends her. Apparently she has quite a little cult. The bottom line is that this woman locked the State of Florida out of its own dashboard, its primary means of communication with the public regarding a serious health threat. She then proceeded to depict her own personal interpretation of the data on that public website after locking the administrator out. That is criminal conduct.
Now that every single major cruise line has announced a vaccination requirement and are re-positioning ships away from Florida -- what is DeSantis going to do. Royal Caribbean drops age for mandatory COVID-19 vaccines to 12 https://thepointsguy.com/news/royal-caribbean-drops-age-for-mandatory-vaccines-for-some-cruises/ The world’s largest cruise line on Friday said all U.S. passengers ages 12 and older will need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise with the line in Alaska starting on Aug. 1. Even before Aug. 1, only fully vaccinated passengers over the age of 16 will be allowed to sail on Royal Caribbean voyages in Alaska. Both of the age cut-offs are lower than the line had previously announced for sailings starting up soon in the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. On those voyages, the line had announced that all passengers ages 18 and older would need to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise. It’s not clear whether the new age cut-offs just apply to upcoming Alaska sailings or the Caribbean and Mediterranean sailings, too. A spokesperson for Royal Caribbean did not immediately respond to questions about the topic from TPG. As of late Friday, Royal Caribbean’s website still listed 18 as the cut-off age for a vaccine requirement on Royal Caribbean sailings. The new age cut-offs for Royal Caribbean sailings in Alaska were disclosed as part of an announcement Friday that the line and sister brand Celebrity Cruises planned to restart cruises to Alaska in July. The announcement was made by Royal Caribbean Group, the parent company of both Royal Caribbean and Celebrity. The same age cut-offs announced for Royal Caribbean cruises in Alaska also will apply to Celebrity sailings in Alaska, the announcement said. Celebrity already had dropped its age cut-off for mandatory vaccines for summer cruises last week from 18 to 16. A growing number of cruise lines have announced they will require all or most passengers to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine to cruise on at least some of their ships in the coming months. In some cases, cruise lines are requiring all passengers to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. In other cases, cruise lines only are requiring adults to be fully vaccinated. Cruise lines that have announced a COVID-19 vaccine requirement for all or at least some upcoming cruises include Carnival Cruise Line, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal Cruises, Cunard Line, Disney Cruise Line, Holland America, Norwegian Cruise Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Virgin Voyages and Windstar Cruises.