Covid not as bad as we were sold

December 18, 2021. As this seemingly endless pandemic drags on into a third year -- twenty months since March 2020 -- it is not a bad time to reflect on exactly what went wrong in terms of the (mis) information flooding us over this crazy period.

The pandemic has literally redefined "vaccine," "cause of death," a virus "case," and "science." That last word, "science," has probably been the most abused, misrepresented and misunderstood word in the world, with the confusion best illustrated by Anthony Fauci's claim, "I represent science." Just as the phrase, "Let's go Brandon," has come to represent something new, "Follow the science" has become a code phrase, a talking point of bad rhetoric.

Speaking of 'rhetoric,' I've had more than enough of it and, for that matter, I'd like to ban the continuing misuse of words and terms like "surge," "spike," and "critical thinking," each used to confuse or to mislead and rarely if ever used to provide clarity or understanding.

Of course, medicine, science and the Covid virus are incredibly complicated, but we have spent years and hundreds of billions of dollars to better understand all of these things but we have apparently not invested enough in educating either those who try to explain science or those who need to understand science. Science, like the pandemic, has become more political than practical, more subjective than objective, and more confusing rather than more comforting.

Clearly, the CDC hid information, denied accountability, reversed course and denied facts, often enough to move Dr. Fauci from a position of respect to one of contempt or at least distrust from tens of millions of people. Politicians Joe Biden and Kamila Harris first rejected the vaccine and now demand it. Andrew Cuomo made millions on a book contract describing his 'leadership' in the pandemic, only to have that leadership found to be terribly wanting and the book to have been written in great part by his staff. He was forced to resign from office and has recently been told to return the millions from his book contract.

The political terror and abuse has been ten times worse than any virus. Fortunately, living in northeastern Wisconsin, I have been able to, as I oft said, "pray, provide and protect" for Dena, Jane and Gaby and, at times, for others, with my best strategy to just ignore the insanity from Washington. Yes, I have had my three shots, but I am fully sympathetic too those who both decline to take the vaccine and who oppose the mandate. They have smeared by being mislabeled as "anti-vaxxers," when the truth is that many of them have taken the vaccine and encourage those who want the vaccine to take it; they just refuse to accept the mandates.

I have rarely have to wear a mask. I don't socially distance or wash my hands as often or as long as we have been told. I generally avoid crowds and have fully avoided sick people. I have tried to maintain my immune system but the pandemic lifestyle has left me eating to excess, especially comfort food, chocolate and ice cream. I must take on a new diet as my critical new year's resolution.

All that, plus I am moving on to Medicare B, with a supplement, and I am a little unsure as to how that will work out. We have flights and a flat booked for Edinburgh in late May through early June, and travel restrictions continue to be a major irritant and a significant negative impact on the traditional joy and relaxation of international travel, even at the business class level.

So some basic takeaways or, put another way, what I believe to be true, and what I recommend as a result.

• "Covid" or "excess" deaths have more to do with con-morbidities, especially weight and age, than with any deadly virus.

• The political response to the 'pandemic' has done more damage than good, and a lot more than the politicians will either accept or be held accountable for creating.

• Dr. Fauci represents a massive, deep state political and bureaucratic way of thinking, and not any real 'science.'

• Masks, lockdowns and social distancing have little effect on Covid deaths.

• While Delta and the original Covid were basically strong forms of the flu that followed weaker seasons and versions, the Omicron virus is more like a cold virus, in symptoms, hospitalizations and outcomes.

• Much of the political mess of the pandemic has been facilitated by the bad 'science,' theory and policies stemming from climate change and woke politics.

• A reasonable diet, modest investments in exercise and fitness, and an aversion to the many available (and often popular) substance abuses is the best formula for a long and healthy life. Not healthcare. Not healthcare insurance. Not masks or lockdowns. Not pharmaceuticals.

• In almost every case, simply follow the money. Ask, who benefits? Stay vigilant in discerning self-serving advice. And ignore celebrities, political, mainstream media, and other types of "influencers" if they lack data-driven, evidence-based, defensible and valid advice or recommendations.

• Don't watch the network news. Don't read the New York Times, the Washington Post or the Los Angeles Times.