Informed And Happy

“You have to go back and think about why we closed down in the first place,” Governor Kevin Stitt says.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt is among the few who remember that the point of the shutdowns was to “flatten the curve” (i.e. slow the process of herd immunization by exposure to the virus enough to ensure that hospital capacity remains available for the few cases with complications), not to wait until nobody ever dies anymore, or a vaccine is ready. As this goal has been accomplished in his state (as in the vast majority of states), he is doing the right thing by lifting the restrictions.

https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/27/saying-lockdowns-must-last-until-mass-testing-or-a-vaccine-is-absurd/

https://tennesseestar.com/2020/04/26/gov-cuomo-says-trump-was-right-to-take-on-world-health-organization/

Democratic party chairman Tom Perez stated that the party is planning to have a traditional in-person convention to nominate their candidate for President in August. https://www.theepochtimes.com/democrats-expect-in-person-convention-party-chairman-says_3326599.html

India eases Wuhan-Coronavirus lockdown, allowing some shops to reopen on limited basis as Modi preaches virtues of ‘self-reliance’ https://www.rt.com/news/486864-india-relax-coronavirus-lockdown/

‘Let me go to work!’ Hundreds of protesters demand removal of fence on Polish-German border amid Covid-19 lockdown (VIDEO) https://www.rt.com/news/486865-polish-german-border-protests/

Georgia Governor Brian Kemp shows courage to do what appears prudent given the numbers, regardless of what critics and the media say. His executive order that placed the state under a lockdown with few exceptions, was already supposed to expire on April 3rd, but was extended until the end of the month, damaging many citizens’ trust in their elected officials’ words. Now, Kemp is finally convinced that there is more hospital capacity than required to stem any potential demand due to the Wuhan-Coronavirus and promised to do the only right thing under that circumstance: let the order expire. The fact that he appears to remain steadfast despite massive criticism, deserves respect. Hopefully other governor’s and mayor’s will follow his example.

https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/25/with-26-million-unemployed-partially-opening-georgias-economy-is-a-good-start/

https://tennesseestar.com/2020/04/25/trump-signs-484-billion-new-stimulus-measure/

One country refused to put its citizens under house arrest or place any other mandatory restrictions on its population to fight the coronavirus: Sweden. Its success story is impressive and provides a role model for other countries. A look at the data shows how right Sweden was and wrong the overreaction of most other countries was.

https://www.realclearpolitics.com/video/2020/04/18/swedish_epidemiologist_johan_giesecke_why_lockdowns_are_the_wrong_policy.html?utm_medium=referral&utm_source=mixi&utm_campaign=realclearpolitics

Stanford medical expert Dr. Scott Atlas, M.D., takes an objective look at the numbers. Analyzing the data we have thus far, he comes to the conclusion that the risk of Covid-19 was dramatically overstated and that the total isolation imposed by many governments in response, is actually counterproductive. He provides some reasonable steps to take instead, now that we know more.

https://thehill.com/opinion/healthcare/494034-the-data-are-in-stop-the-panic-and-end-the-total-isolation

Barr: Justice Department May Support Lawsuits Against Governors’ Orders That Go ‘Too Far’ https://www.theepochtimes.com/justice-department-may-support-lawsuits-against-governors-orders-that-go-too-far-barr-says_3321185.html

https://thefederalist.com/2020/04/21/the-wuhan-virus-is-finally-awakening-europe-to-chinas-imperialism/

As many countries and states deprived their citizens of basic civil liberties to “flatten the curve”, and then kept these restrictions in place, even after they passed the peak, Sweden decided to remain open. No lockdowns, no house arrest, no mandated business closures. Instead, the Swedish government treated Swedish citizens like adults. Now Sweden is better off than countries that opted to shut down. A role model for the rest of the world and encouragement that we can actually afford to reopen without a painful slow transition and a sinister “new normal.”

https://spectator.us/swedish-experiment-paying-off/

After his order was already supposed to expire on April 14 and was extended instead, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee once again promises to reopen the state.

https://tennesseestar.com/2020/04/21/bill-lee-announces-tennessee-safer-at-home-order-for-covid-19-will-expire-april-30/

If we look at the numbers for a moment and leave fear aside, it becomes obvious that the Wuhan-virus is no worse than the 2017-2018 flu. The draconian violations of people’s civil liberties and the unprecedented destruction of small businesses were entirely based on exaggerated and faulty models. Now that we know the actual numbers, it is time to stop making things worse.

https://www.lewrockwell.com/2020/04/david-deming/why-the-shutdown-must-end/

Demonstrations to free Tennessee drew large crowds across the state, despite rainy weather. More events are planned this week on Wednesday 4/22 at 10am, Saturday 4/25 at 1pm and Monday 4/27 at 10am at the State Capitol in Nashville.

Last week, Governor Lee had extended an executive order, which was supposed to expire last Tuesday. The order forces businesses across the state to shut down and limits people’s freedom of movement.

The original justification for the first order was to “flatten the curve”, i.e. ensure that not too many Tennesseans would overrun hospitals at the same time. However, Tennessee passed the peak last week, while hospitals are empty and some even laid off staff due to low demand. Tennessee had over three times the number of ICU beds and ventilators needed for the peak. Nevertheless, the executive order was extended for a longer period than the initial order, causing countless businesses to go bankrupt and jobs to be lost, every day the order stays in effect.

Now, Tennesseans are voicing their discontent with this overreach.

https://tennesseestar.com/2020/04/20/freetn-event-draws-hundreds-to-state-capitol-in-nashville-over-stay-at-home-order-extension/