COVID-19 response: Incompetence or Callousness?
JVL Introduction
We are living in unprecedented times.
The old neo-liberal rulebook has been torn up and extensive government intervention in the economy and society is now the order of the day.
But what kind of intervention, on whose behalf, in whose interests, with what long-term aims or consequences?
There is a growing debate on the left teasing out the possibilities – and the dangers – of these new interventions. Are we moving in a potentially socialist direction or towards a new authoritarianism? What should we on the left be demanding – and doing.
JVL intends to publish occasional contributions to this debate.
To start, here is an overview of the current situation by Mike Phipps, published earlier today on Labour Hub.
This article was originally published by Labour Hub on Mon 30 Mar 2020. Read the original here.
COVID-19 response: Incompetence or Callousness?
Mike Phipps looks at contradictions in the government’s approach to Covid 19 and how we should respond
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The other aspect in looking at this crisis is conflicting information about the *actual* dangers posed in a situation where the data is very uncertain.
The facts about this virus – and in particular its associated mortality rate – have *not* been established. Current data on outbreaks is confused and contaminated by inevitable statistical imperfections.
For anyone whose attention span has not been raddled by close association with the media panic , the following lengthy interview with a Stanford academic, gives a balanced overview of the problematic nature of current data and uncertainties accruing from this :
https://youtu.be/d6MZy-2fcBw
Similarly, the following article by an academic and pathologist gives a shorter overview of the same issues :
https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/The-evidence-on-Covid-19-is-not-as-clear-as-we-think
There is, in fact, a large body of reputable statistical and scientific evaluation that questions the narrative that has taken hold about about this virus. It is not something on the wilder fringes of the Internet.
The troubling thing is that you will have a major problem glimpsing these alternative perspectives through the lens of the mainstream media who have invested heavily in what might be called the ‘plague’ scenario.
Knowledgeable readers of this site will be startled at the similarity with the way which the counter-narrative to the Corbyn/Labour ‘antisemitism’ trope was also shut down and stifled.
I would only add that my normal instincts are to revolt against conspiracy theories.
The report in the Palestine Chronicle is shocking and needs to be publicized far and wide. It will be interesting to see what is the response of Israel supporters, and indeed the Guardian. My guess is silence.
thank you for all your blogging
we were about to start a hard copy newsheet before this happened, but not too late and collecting useful stuff. like yours etc