9 chapters across the catalog
New York City's new Health Commissioner, Dr. Ashwin Vasan, warns of a potential surge driven by the BA.2 subvariant. Despite low current hospitalization rates, the city continues to encourage at-home testing and maintains private-sector vaccine mandates that affect professional athletes.
President Biden delivered a stern address to the nation, stating that his patience with the unvaccinated is wearing thin. He cited data claiming only one in 160,000 vaccinated Americans are hospitalized daily, while one in 5,000 experience breakthrough cases. Analysis of these figures suggests approximately 35,000 breakthrough cases occur daily, leading to skepticism regarding the vaccine's overall effectiveness.
School COVID Testing Bribes, Hospital Enamel Pins
Caddo Parish Schools in Louisiana are offering students $25 for their first COVID-19 test and $10 for subsequent tests. Meanwhile, an anonymous doctor at Meritus Medical Center reports that staff who refuse the vaccine are forced to undergo weekly off-site PCR testing and are given enamel pins to signify they are "doing their part." The doctor compares the marginalized status of unvaccinated staff to historical symbols of segregation.
Stanford University COVID-19 Testing Policy, Campus Mandates
Stanford University has updated its COVID-19 policy to require weekly testing for all students and staff regardless of vaccination status. This follows similar mandates at Cal, though the Stanford policy allows for the removal of masks if testing is maintained. The hosts argue that these shifting policies demonstrate that the vaccines are not working as originally promised.
European Union, Travel Restrictions for Vaccinated Americans
The European Union is considering a plan to allow fully vaccinated Americans to travel to Europe by the end of June. While Greece and Iceland already permit visitors, the broader EU may require proof of vaccination or recent negative tests. The hosts suggest the complexity of testing is designed to coerce people into getting vaccinated.
Mask Mandate, PCR Testing and Lockdown Exit Strategy
The hosts discuss Biden's 100-day mask mandate, noting that the executive order lacks a specific sunset date. They speculate that the pandemic will be declared "over" soon to credit the new administration, citing a new WHO memo that advises more cautious interpretation of positive PCR tests to reduce false positives.
Louie Gohmert COVID-19 Diagnosis, Mask Policy Debate
Texas Representative Louie Gohmert tested positive for COVID-19 twice during White House screenings, leading to media criticism of his previous refusal to wear a mask. Gohmert suggested that his occasional mask use might have actually contributed to his infection by trapping germs. Following the diagnosis, Gohmert reportedly began a regimen of hydroxychloroquine to treat the virus.
The CDC suggests that actual COVID-19 infections may be 24 times higher than reported counts. Meanwhile, retail entities like the Disney Store have begun enforcing specific mask policies, reportedly banning neck gaiters and bandanas in favor of traditional cloth masks.
New York Nursing Home Crisis, Governor Cuomo's Executive Orders
An IT professional working in a New York City nursing home provides a "boots on the ground" report regarding Governor Andrew Cuomo's handling of the elderly. The report alleges that nursing homes were forced to accept COVID-positive patients from hospitals despite being unprepared and lacking PPE. Later, the state mandated twice-weekly testing for all staff, creating a massive financial and logistical burden for facilities.
