Observational studies can be quite appropriate for treatments using repurposed drugs with acceptable safety. The reason is because one is trying to distinguish between neutral vs positive effect; negative effect is already ruled out knowing the safety profile of the medicines, how they work, and how the disease works. This is in part why, for example, an observational study is sufficient to argue that parachutes reduce mortality for people that jump out of airplanes. For something new however, e.g. a new vaccine, a randomized controlled trial should be required, because the problem there is to distinguish between three possibilities: (a) negative effect; (b) neutral effect; (c) positive effect. There, one needs an unbiased measurement of the effect to rule out the possibility that it is negative.
One problem in academia is that the smartest people end up in the hard sciences, so there are not enough of them left to go into epidemiology. The other problem is that even without direct Pharma funding, academics are funded by government grants, and Big Pharma buys the government and the media that control the political narratives. Just as academics are under an academic freedom framework (which works well, to some extent), we need a similar framework to protect the patient-doctor relationship. As one example, I don't understand why anyone should even entertain investigating any complaints against doctors not initiated by the patient (or next of kin).
100% The masks were also INEFFECTIVE in having any kind of a preventative measure. It was a test to see who could willingly be controlled through fear porn. I was forced to resign....if you are forced to resign, I was informatively informed, meant that you could not reapply for your job at any time in the future. A white nurse on the premises of my employer had LONG SINCE been looking for an opportunity to have me fired. This was due to an altercation I had with her about year previously. So she (everyone thought that she was a doctor) harassed me in terms of the mask, complained to the front office if she saw me without it...and hence harassed my employer/manager who eventually gave me the ultimatum. After the so called 'flatten the curve' bullshit and we returned to work, I explained to my employer that I could not wear a mask. Apart from an overwhelming sense of SUFFOCATION, the air gets hot very quickly and is a direct irritant, so I remove it. I suggested that, as a compromise, I would wear my crash helmet....with the visor UP. She reluctantly agreed. The nurse was having none of it and the mask mandates were declared. I was accused of INFECTING THE ENTIRE PREMISES! I was given the ultimatum "mask or go". It got quite ugly. I then requested a disciplinary hearing so that I could have a record of the event. After two weeks....surprise surprise....no mention of the hearing. I boycotted all venues/spaces that insisted on the mask. Interestingly the black taxi's never made this a requirement for travel....my source of transportation whenever my scooter is in for repairs etc. But I do think the mask mandate fraud needs to also be called out. ;-)
Well done Helge for standing your grounds. Masks were totally ineffective and caused more problems for people who wore them. There is absolutely no evidence that they work.
Observational studies can be quite appropriate for treatments using repurposed drugs with acceptable safety. The reason is because one is trying to distinguish between neutral vs positive effect; negative effect is already ruled out knowing the safety profile of the medicines, how they work, and how the disease works. This is in part why, for example, an observational study is sufficient to argue that parachutes reduce mortality for people that jump out of airplanes. For something new however, e.g. a new vaccine, a randomized controlled trial should be required, because the problem there is to distinguish between three possibilities: (a) negative effect; (b) neutral effect; (c) positive effect. There, one needs an unbiased measurement of the effect to rule out the possibility that it is negative.
One problem in academia is that the smartest people end up in the hard sciences, so there are not enough of them left to go into epidemiology. The other problem is that even without direct Pharma funding, academics are funded by government grants, and Big Pharma buys the government and the media that control the political narratives. Just as academics are under an academic freedom framework (which works well, to some extent), we need a similar framework to protect the patient-doctor relationship. As one example, I don't understand why anyone should even entertain investigating any complaints against doctors not initiated by the patient (or next of kin).
Medical professional behavior is not dictated by emergency laws that violate human rights.
100% The masks were also INEFFECTIVE in having any kind of a preventative measure. It was a test to see who could willingly be controlled through fear porn. I was forced to resign....if you are forced to resign, I was informatively informed, meant that you could not reapply for your job at any time in the future. A white nurse on the premises of my employer had LONG SINCE been looking for an opportunity to have me fired. This was due to an altercation I had with her about year previously. So she (everyone thought that she was a doctor) harassed me in terms of the mask, complained to the front office if she saw me without it...and hence harassed my employer/manager who eventually gave me the ultimatum. After the so called 'flatten the curve' bullshit and we returned to work, I explained to my employer that I could not wear a mask. Apart from an overwhelming sense of SUFFOCATION, the air gets hot very quickly and is a direct irritant, so I remove it. I suggested that, as a compromise, I would wear my crash helmet....with the visor UP. She reluctantly agreed. The nurse was having none of it and the mask mandates were declared. I was accused of INFECTING THE ENTIRE PREMISES! I was given the ultimatum "mask or go". It got quite ugly. I then requested a disciplinary hearing so that I could have a record of the event. After two weeks....surprise surprise....no mention of the hearing. I boycotted all venues/spaces that insisted on the mask. Interestingly the black taxi's never made this a requirement for travel....my source of transportation whenever my scooter is in for repairs etc. But I do think the mask mandate fraud needs to also be called out. ;-)
Well done Helge for standing your grounds. Masks were totally ineffective and caused more problems for people who wore them. There is absolutely no evidence that they work.