It has been confirmed that close to a million people have fallen victim to COVID-19, dying excruciating and untimely deaths and leaving loved ones distraught. So how can someone still deny the validity of the pandemic?
The COVID-19 pandemic quickly became a political issue. Individuals have argued how to best stay safe, what to do about the economic repercussions of it and even whether the virus is real.
Republican COVID-19 denier John Joyce granted his perspective on the COVID-19 pandemic. “The virus isn’t from China. It’s made up by our government. It’s all just a political scam for the Democrats to win. They want everyone out of work to start up socialism. If it were real, we would see hundreds of burial tents in graveyards,” said Joyce.
He questioned the statistics and facts presented by experts and professionals. He, like a disappointing number of Americans, has turned the COVID-19 pandemic into a political matter.
To date, approximately 32 million people worldwide have contracted the virus, and almost one million have died. The United States possesses the most cases at around 7 million cases and over two hundred thousand deaths. To deny the severity and prevalence of the virus is ludicrous.
Some Americans go so far as refusing to take preventative measures. This endangers themselves and others.
Joyce does not support wearing masks and said, “I call them death masks. It’s just a scare tactic.” He does not believe the immense amount of scientific evidence backing the usefulness of masks when attempting to prevent the spread of the potentially deadly coronavirus.
Multiple experiments have been conducted proving the effectiveness of masks, one of which conducted by scientist Bill Nye. Nye conducted an experiment showcasing the usefulness of masks. He showed that one can blow out a candle without a mask, but when wearing a mask one cannot. This debunks the myth of masks being ineffective at preventing airborne particles from spreading.
Some individuals think that the virus is not as severe as the media depicts it. “The virus could be real, but if it is, it’s just like the flu or cough,” said Robert Kitt, a Republican COVID-19 mitigator.
Jordan Albert, a healthcare professional at Mercy Iowa City Hospital, challenged Kitt’s conceptions. “There is a lot we have to discover about the virus. Things just keep coming out about it. We have discovered that it affects peoples’ entire bodies–their respiratory systems, hearts, and their blood streams. You don’t see that much systemwide damage with the flu,” said Albert.
President Trump’s treatment of the COVID-19 pandemic sparked immense controversy among Americans.
Some believe that Trump has done an adequate job at handling the pandemic. “Trump handled it the best he could. He’s got Pelosi and all of them hating him. He’s not afraid to stick his neck out. He does what comes from his heart and head. He’s a very smart man,” Joyce said.
This is alarmingly far from the truth. Trump made false and damaging claims. He admitted to knowing about the virus early on and downplaying the severity of it to avoid causing “panic” among Americans. This lulled the American people into a false sense of security and caused them to believe the virus was being dramatized by the media.
The COVID-19 pandemic is a real and very serious issue. It has done irreparable damage to multiple facets of peoples’ lives. It should not be up for debate. Everyone must work together and follow CDC guidelines to help diminish the prevalence of COVID-19.
Jennifer Collins • Jan 22, 2021 at 7:54 am
First of all, thank you for your service.
When it comes to your arguments, though, I am going to have to respectfully completely disagree with you and your logic. Even if I believed all you said to be the truth, you seem to be okay with the large number of elderly people dying from this virus. It seems as though you argue that the pandemic isn’t so bad because it’s mostly killing old people. Perhaps when you read it in those words, you’ll realize how unbelievably insensitive and ridiculous it sounds.
Secondly, look at the research that shows how schools with face mask policies–which is pretty much all schools right now–have NO evidence of the virus spreading in school. The spread is happening when people are maskless. Period. While the masks may not be 100% effective, the efficacy is clearly incredible. I can’t believe people still want to deny that. Then again, there are still people arguing that the moon landing was a conspiracy, so I guess ignorance will always exist.
Joseph C. Moore (USN Ret) • Jan 22, 2021 at 7:27 am
The virus is real but is not the pandemic it is made out to be. Deaths have been of those with underlying conditions (mostly elderly). Children seem to have stronger immunity, and healthy adults (not elderly with compromising conditions), that is adults with a strong immune system have little effects similar to a cold. Masks are effective in blocking large vapor particles from a cough or sneeze, but the virus is too small to be blocked by most masks, it passes through. Re-inhaling breath trapped by a mask increases your chances of developing a lung infection or cough. Bill Nye (the science guy) has NO qualifications to make qualified (educated) recommendations. Lock downs have created a much more harmful condition than exposure to the virus would cause. Small and moderate business closures (with no hope of re-opening) have devastated the economy. If you have all the fears that were instilled by the draconian leftist politicians, follow those inane rules, but healthy people can use sanitary conditions and maintain a REAL lifestyle.