Straight forward, witty and timeless. #TellItLikeItIs, is a blog for our generation 
The world ground to a halt, when coronavirus stepped into the spotlight. Mass hysteria ensued when testing showed large numbers of ‘cases’ predominantly determined by the use of the infamous PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) tests, which essentially can detect almost anything microbial, no matter how tiny, but it cannot determine how much of the microbe is there. Early on, these PCR tests were blamed for creating false positives. Many who questioned the validity of these tests were labelled ‘conspiracy theorists’, and the global populace urged to ‘trust’ the science, while the critical thinkers were considered ‘misinformed.’
Now, after a year of fear mongering which brought the world to its knees before the pharmaceutical giants, the CDC has declared that they will, “after December 31st, 2021, withdraw the request to the FDA for Emergency Use Authorisation of the CDC-2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV) Real-Time RT-PCR Diagnostic Panel, the assay first introduced in February 2020 for detection of SARS-CoV-2 only”. In other words, PCR tests will no longer be recognised as a valid method for determining COVID-19 infection. The CDC is encouraging “laboratories to consider adoption of a multiplexed method that can facilitate detection and differentiation of SARS-CoV-2 and influenza viruses”. Consider the situation in New Jersey where PCR testing produced 902,870 positive test results, compared to 131,363 confirmed positives using the ‘more’ reliable antigen testing method.
Additionally, in a communication dated June 10th, 2021, the Innova Medical Group SARS-CoV-2 Antigen Rapid Qualitative Tests used to determine if a person had an active COVID-19 infection, was revealed to have not been approved, authorized, or cleared for use in the US by the FDA and had been recalled.
The alarm created by puffed up numbers of COVID cases, and most deaths written off as related to the pandemic, the demand for salvation in a vaccine grew intense with the top companies waiting in the shadows to step forward with their experimental new technology, and investors anxiously tallying up profit estimates. Despite the initial phase out of the vaccine experimentation scheduled for 2023, administrations across the world still made moves to protect corporate oligarchic interest and on 23 August 2021, the FDA announced its official approval for the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.
This move completes the final hurdle, for Pfizer is in the process of expanding further with an impending acquisition of Trillium Therapeutics Inc – a clinical stage immuno-oncology company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of cancer. In an article on globalnewswire.com – “Trillium’s portfolio includes biologics that are designed to enhance the ability of patients’ innate immune system to detect and destroy cancer cells”. The article revealed that Pfizer invested $25 million in Trillium in September 2020 as part of the Pfizer Breakthrough Growth Initiative (PBGI). PBGI was set up in June 2020, with the goal to fund scientific research as well as access to Pfizer’s experts to ensure continuity of clinical programs that could be of potential strategic interest for Pfizer. At present, Pfizer Oncology has an industry leading portfolio of 24 approved innovative cancer medicines and biosimilars across more than 30 indications, including breast, genitourinary, colorectal, blood and lung cancers and also melanoma. It is undeniable that Pfizer is ‘one of the world’s premier biopharmaceutical companies’.
The report of a study conducted by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), where pieces of lung tissue preserved from 58 victims of the 1918 pandemic, and autopsy reports of thousands of victims was published online by the Journal of Infectious Diseases in 2008. It was discovered that, “Histological and bacteriologic evidence suggests that the vast majority of influenza deaths resulted from secondary bacterial pneumonia” – report by David m. Morens, MD, Jeffery K. Taubenberger, MD, PhD, and NIAID Director Anthony S. Fauci, MD. From an article dated August 19, 2008 on the National Institutes of Health website explains –
“A future influenza pandemic may unfold in a similar manner, say the NIAID authors… [they]conclude, comprehensive pandemic preparations should include not only efforts to produce new or improved influenza vaccines and antiviral drugs but also provisions to stockpile antibiotics and bacterial vaccines as well”.
Also of concern is the proliferated use of cloth masks. A 2015 study by the University of New South Wales, found “the widespread use of cloth masks by healthcare workers may actually put them at increased risk of respiratory illness and viral infections and their global use should be discouraged”.
A holistic approach to adapt and mitigate the fallout of this crisis is vital. We must find sustainable solutions in nature – our health is inextricably linked to the quality of our food, water, and environment. Rollo May cautioned, “science, Nietzsche had warned, is becoming a factory, and the result will be ethical nihilism”.
Written & Contributed by: Farah Theodore
Generation Y Dominica 