Back story - last week's blog

Science is the belief in the ignorance of the experts.

~ Richard Feynman

Last week’s blog caused me a lot of distress. I published it because I had committed to posting something weekly. When I reflected I knew that was not a good reason.

The original intent for the blog was to share uplifting content on how to eat, move and live better. I'm failing to do that right now. While I am focused on finding glimmers of hope, I have found myself focusing on what's broken and in need of repair.

Watching the linked Toronto Board of Health December meeting online prompted me to write the article. The medical officers of health continue to offer only one unscientific treatment option. Several concerned residents who presented valid observations about the risk to children were largely ignored.

Medicine is more of an art than a science

Richard Feynman, a Nobel prize-winning physicist, stated that Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. By that, he meant that science is not about consensus. It subjects itself to debate and scrutiny. Deferring to the experts is unscientific.

Sadly, the medical officers of health ignore dissenting views. I wrote the piece because I could not wrap my head around the unsubstantiated reassurances of safety and efficacy they were parroting.

It is impossible to claim safety and efficacy on a product that only has Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) and is not time-tested.

The EUA is invalid when there are viable; approved; alternate treatment options. There are. Yet, after testing positive people are sent home untreated and asked to isolate, upholding EUA that protects manufacturers from liability.

To maintain this façade the emergency has to continue, hence the variants and no other approved treatment. The new pill getting all the hype in the media is only approved for emergency use. If it were fully authorized, EUA for the one recommended treatment would cease.

In the Toronto Board of Health meeting, when the well-intentioned former chair asked a speaker what they could do to reduce his hesitancy, the gentleman had trouble answering the question. I suspect it was a shock to have the question asked of him because other speakers have been largely ignored and quickly dismissed. Having experienced that in the past, I was triggered to do something. Momma bear emerged.

It’s easier to follow the herd

To be a successful scientist it’s not enough just to be right. You have to be right when everyone else is wrong. Conventional-minded people can’t do that.

~ Paul Graham

I found myself feeling defensive. I wanted to make it clear that many of us who exercise our right not to get boosted are not anarchists. We are not all extreme right-wing. We are not cowards with a victim mentality unwilling to take one for the team. It is not easy to question the experts. Those who do, risk having reputations tarnished and civil liberties revoked.

As I have written in the past, every experiment needs a control group. I volunteered to be in that group. It has served me well. I have not been sick since March 2020.

The night before I posted the blog, we experienced an intense wind storm that caused the loss of power and internet on several occasions. I lost content which set me back. Having committed to posting on Friday mornings before other immediate family members come home for the weekend, I published what I had, unedited. It was reactive and emotional.

I work hard to include references that Public Health organizations publish. Although there is sufficient evidence that death case numbers are embellished to create fear and urgency, I linked them anyway, expecting that readers click and scroll to see a revealing trend. But a family member quickly pointed out that people don’t take the time to click on the links and scroll through them as I would. Publishing misleading data, even if Public Health organizations endorse it, does not serve my readers well.

A day later, I reworded the paragraph of concern. I changed a word here, a thought there. It no longer flowed as intended. When two other family members pointed out that the last sentence led the reader to believe they were to blame, I changed that too and knew I had to write this follow-up.

Closing thoughts

I pay attention to the way I feel. Feeling uneasy causes me to solicit feedback and re-evaluate my thoughts and actions.

I’m now reconsidering my commitment to blog weekly in 2022. The original intent had been to provide uplifting content. I will have to play a more active role as an advocate for change. When I succeed, I will have more uplifting content to write.

I wish you all countless blessings over the holiday season. There is nothing to fear but fear itself. Fear makes us vulnerable. Think outside the box (TV, social media). Surround yourself with loved ones. All will be well.