Transcript: Gov. Scott defends lockdowns as COVID cases rise

For Immediate Release
Tuesday, November 17, 2020

Media Contact
Rebecca Kelley, Office of the Governor
802-622-4047| rebecca.kelley@vermont.gov

MONTPELIER, Vt. – At a press conference Tuesday, Governor Phil Scott and members of his Administration outlined the trends that informed new mitigation measures enacted last week.

A full transcript of the Governor’s remarks is embedded below. Click here to view the full press conference.

Transcript:

Governor Scott: As you’ve seen, our cases have continued to grow, and Commissioner Pieciak will present more on that in a few minutes. This growth has led to some big steps to slow the spread which we announced on Friday and are now in effect.

As I said last week, each of these steps are targeted to address the areas that our contact tracing data tells us are driving this spike. What was found is that it’s mostly adults from multiple households getting together with friends, inside and outside, and it usually involves alcohol and food with little, if any, mask wearing and distancing. After we urged against these activities and advised limiting them to one or two trusted families, these gatherings – like Halloween house parties and beers with friends after games – continued. And it’s led directly to our record growth.

So, as a result, in addition to requiring quarantine for all non-essential travel, we unfortunately had to ban multi-household gatherings. I know this is incredibly difficult and frustrating, especially with the holidays right around the corner, but it’s necessary and we need Vermonters’ help to get this back under control.

***

I’d like to take a minute to address some of what we’ve heard since we made this announcement, including questions and concerns from people who believe there is inconsistency in our approach, and from people who would prefer we shut down restaurants or schools, or close businesses like gyms and salons but not restrict private social gatherings.

So, let’s talk about consistency. The steps we took were based on data from the contact tracers because from the beginning, we have consistently used data and science to guide our decisions.

I understand it may seem counter-intuitive that restaurants remain open and yet you can’t have neighbors over for dinner. But the fact is, rom October 1 to the time of Friday’s announcement, 71% of outbreaks were linked to social events, parties and people hanging out at a home or at bars and clubs. We’re just not seeing these types of outbreaks linked back to people dining at restaurants or working out at gyms. This tells us the protocols at these businesses are, for the most part, working.

And while we have a number of cases that have shown up at schools, we have very few schools that have experienced transmission from one person to another, which means schools are not driving this either.

***

And this brings me to the next point: In the environment we’re in, we’ve got to prioritize “need” over “want.”

In my view, in-person education, protecting our healthcare system and keeping people working (as long as we can do it safely) are things we need. Parties and cookouts, hanging out with people just to socialize, may be fun, but these things are “wants” not “needs” and they put a lot of people at risk.

Put a different way, with pediatricians making it clear that in-person education is critical to the well-being of our children, I’m going to prioritize keeping kids in school. And, again, schools are not the root of the problem.

I know for many, getting together with family and friends over the last few months has been so important. But I’m hoping by laying out what’s at stake, it will motivate Vermonters to follow this guidance so we can get back together again soon, and safely.

***

I also want to speak to the skeptics again. Make no mistake, I understand that if you want to ignore the science or choose not to believe it for one reason or another, there’s not much we can do to stop you.

But I want to be clear: The number of people in hospitals is growing because some care more about what they want to do rather than what they need to do to help protect others, keep kids in school, keep people working and prevent the healthcare system from being overwhelmed to the point where care is being delivered in makeshift hospitals. It’s a fact that the consequences of an overwhelmed healthcare system will have a far greater impact on our economy and our well-being than all the prevention and mitigation measures in place across the country.

So, again, the skeptics are right. They can do what they want. But please don’t call it patriotic or pretend it’s about freedom. Because real patriots serve and sacrifice for all, whether they agree with them or not. Patriots also stand up and fight when our nation’s health and security is threatened, and right now, our country and way of life is being attacked by this virus, not the protections we put in place.

***

Look, I understand getting together with family, especially during the holidays, is important. And I understand how hard it is to be asked to keep making sacrifices. As I said last week, I haven’t seen my mom or my daughter in nearly a year. But right now, we’re in the middle of a pandemic and we’re seeing record growth.

And this growth is not because of tourists. It’s not because of restaurants. It’s not because of gyms. It’s not because of schools. It’s because adults continue to get together with other adults – multiple households, inside and outside – in situations, usually involving alcohol, where they stop taking precautions. And then they’re going to work, sending their kids to school, visiting another neighbor who works in a nursing home and spreading the virus at each stop. I don’t believe anyone is doing this on purpose, but it is what’s happening.

I hear the anger out there, the frustration, the anxiety and the sadness. And I get it. So, if you need to take it out on someone, send it my way – I can take it. But what I can’t take is seeing this continue to grow, because it’s putting our healthcare system, our economy and many lives at risk. So, you can question our methods but I’m asking you to please do your part to help.

And by Friday, we’ll be providing more clarity on social gatherings based on questions we’ve gotten to help folks understand what we need from them.

***

I also want Vermonters to know we’re stepping up at the state level as well because this is not all on your shoulders. As we announced last week, we’re continuing to expand our testing and tracing capacity which will help slow this further and hopefully without more restrictions.

Even though Vermont already does more testing per capita than any other state, our goal is to make testing more easily available. To start, we’re opening five testing centers this week in Burlington, Middlebury, Waterbury, Rutland and Brattleboro, which will operate seven days a week. By opening these centers, two-thirds of Vermonters will be within a 30-minute drive of a testing site, and we’ll continue to build on this.

Additionally, we’ve started offering testing for all teachers and school staff, with about 1,700 tested yesterday, and that will continue throughout the week. We’ve also brought on additional contact tracing staff, with 40 now working full time, and we’ll be adding approximately 20 Vermont National Guard members and 10 Department of Public Safety staff over the next two weeks.

***

Please remember, that even during these tough times, there is reason for optimism. We continue to see progress and good news about vaccines. As Dr. Fauci said recently, there is light at the end of the tunnel.

And we know we can change our trajectory when we all pull in the same direction because we’ve done it before, and we can do it again. Once we do, we’ll get back to where we were and safely roll back these latest restrictions while we await a vaccine.

Image courtesy of state of Vermont

46 thoughts on “Transcript: Gov. Scott defends lockdowns as COVID cases rise

  1. “Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of its victims may be the most oppressive. It would be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron’s cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated; but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience.”
    ― C. S. Lewis

    • And as Lewis’ remark continued:
      “This very kindness stings with intolerable insult. To be ‘cured’ against one’s will and cured of states which we may not regard as disease is to be put on a level of those who have not yet reached the age of reason or those who never will; to be classed with infants, imbeciles, and domestic animals.”

  2. Thank you Mr. Eshelman for providing this link. I am not as adept as some at navigating the internet. What you link provided was information that Vermont suicides are down this year. It would appear from this data that Laura Stone’s concerns are overblown and not based on reality.

    That is not to say that the pandemic and actions taken by Governor Scott have caused hardship. My eldest son who has a logging business and his wife who is an Extension Agent have three young children and it is extremely hard on all of them. At this time, my wife and I can no longer help out with childcare and their school is closed making things even worse than before. Likewise my daughter who has two children has seen her craft business now completely shut down at what is her busiest time of the year and the school for her children has also shut down. Stressful to say the least. We can only hope and pray that an effective vaccine will be widely available in the not too distant future. Operation Warp Speed is the one part of the pandemic response that the outgoing Trump administration did very well.

    • You didn’t read the suicide report carefully. There is an 8 week lag time in its statistical reporting, the graphic shows that suicides are increasing and about to exceed the 3 year average. You also chose to ignore the drug overdose statistics, which have increased significantly. And you failed to see that suicides and drug overdose deaths far exceed Covid deaths – not to mention that Covid deaths occur primarily in non-school age adults.

      But the point Ms. Stone was making is that, until this very moment, you have been oblivious to this aspect of our current circumstance – by your own admission. And I will point out, yet again, that your commentary is as biased and deceptive as ever.

      • Mr. Eshelman,
        Again thank you for providing the link and I would encourage people to go there and draw their own conclusions. It clearly states: “As of the end of September, there have been 73 suicides among Vermont residents. This number is fewer than previous years, however this may change because the data is preliminary”.
        What is clear from this is suicides based on the actual data we have in Vermont at this time are not spiking. In her comment on me commending Governor Scott on his Covid-19 response, Ms. Stone asked me to “do some reading about what suicide rates are doing right now” and this at least in Vermont is the answer.

        It also is important while discussing statistics to also note how devastating suicide can be for family members and friends of the deceased. A good friend’s son committed suicide after coming back from multiple combat tours overseas. Sitting with her every week for over a year while she worked through her deep grief was a deeply moving experience. I would urge anyone who thinks about suicide to get the help that you need as no matter how deep the despair, the consequences for yourself, those you love and who love you are just too great.

        • Thank you for your recent epiphany and understanding about the devastating effect of suicides. However, your interpretation of the data is, in my opinion, suspect. I suggest TNR readers read the reports too, for, as you so astutely pointed out, “…this may change because the data is preliminary”. Not to mention that the report graphic shows a recent uptick in Vermont’s suicides.

          But Ms. Stone’s concern was that you were commenting based on an admitted lack of understanding regarding the effect lockdowns and school closings have on our society, including the equally significant drug overdose issue you continue to ignore.

          Nonetheless, as long as you’re finally looking beyond the horizon of your own wood lot, consider this report from Vermont Public Radio.

          The Pandemic Has Researchers Worried About Teen Suicide
          “Teen and youth anxiety and depression are getting worse since COVID lockdowns began in March, early studies suggest, and many experts say they fear a corresponding increase in youth suicide.”
          https://www.vpr.org/post/pandemic-has-researchers-worried-about-teen-suicide#stream/0

          Here are a few more reports for you to consider.

          Lockdown Suicides on the Rise: https://www.nationalreview.com/corner/lockdown-suicides-on-the-rise/

          Robert Redfield, MD, Director, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
          “We’re seeing, sadly, far greater suicides now than we are deaths from Covid. We’re seeing far greater deaths from drug overdose, that are above excess, than we had as background, than we are seeing deaths from Covid.”
          https://www.buckinstitute.org/covid-webinar-series-transcript-robert-redfield-md/

          Coronavirus lockdown has led to increase in suicides, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-8192449/Coronavirus-lockdown-led-increase-suicides-police-chiefs-say.html

          On the other hand, if you can find the time to do your own homework, for a change, perhaps you can provide information, other than your myopic opinion, indicating why the data you just read leads you to think lockdowns and school closings are benign occurrences.

          • Mr. Eshelman,
            My comments on my gratitude for Governor Scott and how he has handled the Covid-19 crisis should not be interpreted as being insensitive to the suffering caused by his actions taken in response to this crisis. Governor Scott has consistently said this is hard and requires sacrifices. It has caused considerable stress and of course I do not think nor ever have indicated that “lockdowns and school closings are benign occurrences” As I have written I have experienced the difficulties that this made in my own extended family here in Vermont.
            Where I disagreed with Ms. Stone. when she commented on my post appreciating Governor Scott, was is in regards her claim of increases in the actual rate of suicides in Vermont and New Hampshire for which no evidence was provided. There is legitimate concern as indicated in the VPR link you provided and in increases in calls to suicide prevention lines and there may be increases nationally. However, thank goodness this has not, to date, been the case here. We can only hope this will continue to be the case as we get nearer the time when a vaccine will be widely available and the need for continued stress inducing social distancing and mask wearing will be a thing of the past. A soon to be available vaccine is something that the many scientists involved and the Trump administration can rightfully take credit for. It can not come to quickly.

          • Mr. Freitag, you distort the truth of the matter even now.

            What Ms. Stone said was:
            “Go read about the drug over doses and the mental health crisis we have going on and the system that is NOT AT ALL prepared to deal with such levels of this. THIS was a crisis *BEFORE The Crisis**, so what do you think is happening now?”

            I repeat – she referred to: “… a crisis *BEFORE The Crisis**”

            Let’s see, then. How did you characterize Ms. Stone’s comments?

            “I admit as well that I am pretty limited, being grounded in my community where I stay more active in town, civic and church affairs, than paying attention to the conspirac[y] theories swirling about.”

            ‘Conspiracy theories’ swirling about’…. really, sir. That hook, as most others you’ve cast, has no worm either. And while, to me, there is no further point in addressing your misbegotten self-righteous indignation, I will continue to call out your distortions as long as you continue to fish in this pond.

          • *Shame* Freitag for continually rearranging the comments of the most well spoken, reliable and pitch-perfect patriots – hoping they all are honored – and in your blind rage inadvertantly are now a litmus – so keep ’em coming sir – after counting the pieces of wood in your ‘wood lot’ lol

            Object to the well-earned critiques re obnoxous presence as you continue fools errand of adding smelly oil to our cleanish water – newsflash – don’t mix and never will. Arrogantly do not answer questions but have plenty of your own – you are owed nothing. Your sly and sneaky ‘queries’ reveal a very busy reprobate mind attempting to vent rage against TNR and users whose worldview you clearly despise.

  3. Donald J. Trump

    @realDonaldTrump
    THE COVID DRUGS NOW AVAILABLE TO MAKE PEOPLE BETTER ARE AMAZING, BUT SELDOM TALKED ABOUT BY THE MEDIA! Mortality rate is 85% down!

    why aren’t we talking about this? If it’s not true please refute.

    • Neil, Orange Man Bad..he cannot possibly do anything right.
      Living in sheer terror and destroying our future makes more sense than giving the guy a win.
      Dontcha know?

  4. Everyone under 70, without co-morbidities has less than a 1% chance of death.

    Much stricter lockdowns and mask wearing in some European countries and particularly Australia have not resulted in fewer “cases” even as deaths drop drastically. So what’s the point. And what’s with all the emphasis on “cases”. Most people infected don’t even know it, and those PCR tests are unreliable.

    Why all the emphasis on masks. Whatever happened to contracting it bye touching things and then touching your face, rubbing your eyes or nose? Nobody mentions that anymore. If anything wearing masks is causing people to touch their face exponentially more since I see them constantly adjusting them.

    Whatever happened to herd immunity? Is that not a thing anymore? Does it not fit the plans for us plebes.

    • Paul,
      I read a few studies that have shown that the primary mode of transmission is via airborne respiratory droplets vs surface contamination. The virus, unlike the flu, shows very little transmission via surfaces, hence masks and social distance is the best way to slow transmission and businesses can out less emphasis on “deep cleaning routines” which are turning out to be pretty pointless. Unfortunately this is a tough behavior to change and organizations are likely to continue to focus on cleaning which is really the wrong thing.

    • We need to come together, set aside our egos and pride, otherwise we’ll be run over. Many of us have stood up and alone we only get run over like a deer being hit by a semi truck driving 80 mph, it hurts.

      2 sides of the ruling in Montpelier want no change. The deafening silence and unwillingness to even question Molly Gray and her eligibility screams weakness and swamp control.

      Run as republican get 30%. Run against the socialist cabal, like Rodgers and Browning and get 4%…????

      Men….I think they mean many. Because standing up alone is not effective. There are many good folks, Gray and Stern who would make wonderful senators…

      How and when are we going to change course. On a side note, from here to Denver Colorado, there were nothing but Trump signs EVERYWHERE……EVERYWHERE….when you get outside this verdant communist oppression you find people speaking freely and working together freely.

      We need to do better.

      • Project much Neil – odd reply. Once again slamming others specifically including everyone on this site as having outsized egos and pride a typical example of selfrighteous haughtiness routinely on display – insulting also – and may I suggest you take own advice, oh and pls go buy some self awareness – painful to watch.

        Once again position self as arresting officer, judge and jury. Continued fixation upon who and what you think is the problem and claim to possesion of solution – height of arrogance.

        Fact: You do not know if this is true and never present any evidence of veracity just a laundry-list of suppositions.

        Following the revelation that VT uses Dominion – is very likely the cause – and I have my own beliefs as well as verifiable opinions that do not match yours.

        • Run for office. Let me know your experience, try and start a new group of people, let me know your experience. Many a good man and woman were used as cannon fodder to no benefit. I’m not afraid to post my name by my statements surely I’ve crossed the line at times, but at least I have the courage of my convictions.

          • Some cheese w/your whine sir. Go run for office yourself Neil. Everyone *cannot* run for office – another stupid shot. Per usual – refuse to answer anything that would expose faithful carrying of Democrat water – clearly fear the Democrat bullies so no you do not have ‘courage of convictions’ as slamming TNR users and conservatives require none.
            Fools errand to unite left and right – not going to suggest you put aside ego and pride and admit this – it’s the province of the selfrighteous. If you think we need to put anything aside – clearly it’s to unite with Democrats – we conservatives here *are* together Neil. And ya just indicted all here who do not use full name.
            — Fact: Have no proof as to why elections are lost and eerily silent re VT use of Dominion which could prove you wrong.
            — Fact: Majority of ppl on all blogs and comment platforms – including TNR use handles lol! Earth to Neil much
            — Fact: Most of the ones who use full name already have a public life and of those some are merely using a fake first and last to avoid bullying by those who need a map to our door.
            — Fact: Unless each person using first and last is known – you do not know that name is real – so there goes that crock.
            — Fact: No one needs to do *anything* to qualify to exercise right of free speech – get a copy of the Constitution pls

  5. Real patriots do serve and sacrifice Phil – until the hypocrisy reaches a level that forces them to question their sacrifice.

    There’s now an abundance of examples of crappy elected officials, along with many self-righteous feeders at the taxpayer trough, caught disregarding what we mere peasants are supposed to follow without question.

    Their apologies are not genuine – they’re merely sorry they were caught.

    Perhaps you should change advisors, because using the ‘patriotism’ angle won’t wash.

  6. In many ways COVID is the perfect tool to facilitate a global reset, it easily divides us and creates a struggle between those who greatly fear this disease, and those that see our governments response as an attack on our Liberty.

    Proper leadership of our Republic would not dictate out of fear, or be designed to force compliance of that which has been arbitrarily labeled a crisis. Nor would it suggest it is unpatriotic of free men and women to lament an implied loss of Liberty such measures may suggest.

    Quite the contrary, our leaders must provide the inspiration for an appropriate course of action and then above all else, they must trust and have faith in the people they serve to respond accordingly.

    Perhaps, it is easier to dictate than to trust, but force is not the true measure of Liberty!

    • You can get compliance through fear and intimidation, but you will never win the hearts and minds of the people.

  7. Actions taken which destroy your economy in order to attack your enemy is counter-productive. It’s like sinking a cruise ship to drown all the rats. While many rats will indeed drown so will the passengers. It is better to fight your Covid-enemy from a position of strength with a strong economy, reinforced health care and a core belief that individual liberty will find a way to win in the end. Otherwise we are just treading water and sinking fast!

    • This is true.
      I think we are forgetting that there is a large segment of the population that thinks that money grows on trees..
      Just where is the money going to come from to pay for welfare, the hospitals, the businesses that produce the necessities that we need to live.. this all come from us. WE need to make the money to fund this stuff.
      So if we have no jobs, just how exactly are people going to get their “Free Stuff” ???

      Killing our economy and creating tons of desperate people is damn well what you be in fear of, not a virus that kills less than 1% of the people that get it.

    • With all due respect, your metaphor presents a false dichotomy as well. A more accurate comparison would be to poison every living thing on the rat-infested cruise ship, ostensibly to kill the rats – AND keep the ship intact. The people would then be characterized as ‘collateral damage’ while the perpetrators hide behind the vail of ‘plausible deniability’.

      Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me.

  8. I realize that Phil Scott is not all that popular with some on this site. For me though listening to his weekly press briefings on Covid-19 has always been uplifting. Phil Scott embodies the fundamental decency and honesty that has long been the hallmark of Vermonters. His caring and compassion for those with the illness as well as all of us dealing in one way or another with the pandemic and particularly for those small businesses in Vermont struggling in these times comes through loud an clear.
    It is also refreshing to have a Governor who effectively can use the metaphor of a stock race when describing where we are in this situation and what needs to be done. For those who did not hear it he talked about being in the last five laps of a race where the finish line is an effective vaccine and the need to hang on till we get there and how in all races it is a team effort.
    Phil Scott has received a great deal of criticism from those on the left as well as some from those on the right. Yet his competence, reliance of science and, dare I say it, moderation is appreciated by the vast majority of Republicans who again made him their candidate for Governor and the vast majority of Vermonters who elected him to his third term.

    • John Frietag, go do some reading about what suicide rates are doing right now.
      I know that I just read an article saying that our suicide prevention hotlines here in NH are getting unseen levels of calls, and my state is in a whole lot better shape than your is right now- so what do you think yours are doing?
      Go read about the drug over doses and the mental health crisis we have going on and the system that is NOT AT ALL Prepared to deal with such levels of this.
      THIS was a crisis *BEFORE The Crisis**, so what do you think is happening now?

      It must be nice to live in your fantasyland..if you actually fully knew what was going on, you might look at things a little bit differently.

      • Gosh Laura Stone, I am afraid I am spending more time in my woodlot and putting up wood for next winter and than watching Fox or reading Trump’s tweets. I admit as well that I am pretty limited, being grounded in my community where I stay more active in town, civic and church affairs, than paying attention to the conspiracies theories swirling about. Finally, my relationship with my wife of 44 years and my children and grandchildren mean more than politics, which while I find them interesting, are not an obsession. If this is what you mean by living in a fantasyland, it is indeed nice and I would sincerely wish my happiness on others.

        • And still, not a word from Mr. Freitag about the increased suicides and drug overdoses ‘swirling about’ outside his woodlot. In that regard, he is correct. That is the fantasyland Ms. Stone is addressing.

          • Mr. Eshelman,
            I did, after it too dark to work outside, some searching for numbers of increased suicides and drug overdoses in New Hampshire and Vermont since the start of Covid-19 but could not find any actual numbers. Have you been able to find these statistics and could you share the numbers and your sources? I hesitate to comment about things that I have not been able to verify.

          • May I suggest John Freitag take an 8th-grade reading and entry-level computer basics refresher – online adult education is available some schools allow adults to participate – after counting the pieces of wood in your woodlot of course. Stats show 78 suicides in VT or VTers in another state with 23 death certificates pending – if added could be much higher.

            Report claims deaths only through July are included – we will need to wait until end of Feb ’21 for full yearly results. But these numbers do not show a full picture nor do yearly accountings – only relevent crunching is Mar’20 – Mar ’21 and available at the end of May ’21.

            Report of suicidal emergencies and self-violence is muuuch higher than three year average with the spikes occurring in and *after March* first spike at about the time of lockdown beginning on St Pats Day – anyone who reads can see this – and a functioning brain can extrapolate which also includes unsuccessful suicide attempts. So the only good news is less attempts are successful.

            Opiod deaths are up over 25% from last year – nonfatal overdoses have *doubled* and numbers are per 10000 emergency visits.

        • granitegrok.com
          “The Other NH ‘Body Count’ Suicide Calls Spike “At A Rate We’ve Not Seen Before.”

          The wait time to get someone into drug treatment centers was 4 to 6 weeks back in July, I can’t imagine they are much better today.

          These are not conspiracy theories.

          • Laura Stone your link unlike Mr. Eshelman’s did not provide any data. Do you have actual numbers in New Hampshire that compares previous years to this year to date as Mr. Eshelman provided for Vermont? The figures from the State of Vermont did not show any increase.
            The figures from New Hampshire might well prove your point but until you are able to provide them it is mere speculation or as you say fantasy not fact.
            I think the thing I admire about Governor Scott is his willingness to deal with this virus using the best science available and take action based on those facts for the people he serves regardless of the political consequences

          • I don’t think Laura can magically appear at your device and enter the verifiable info contained in the vefifiable link provided. Pls get off selfrighteous dead backside and enter it yourself Freitag – oh, after ya get done trying to look busy wiping the bugs off your wood.

        • Oh boo hoo hoo – big crybaby much. If you can author reams of long winded litanies of self-congratulation – plenty of time to enter words into a search engine. Claims of ‘work’ is done to facilitate atonishing level of braggadocio and mostly done sitting – as little as a few hours monthly if that – in actuality as opposed to fantasy world consisting exclusively of oh-so nauseating progressive pipe dreams, self-flattering adulation and where bulk of time is spent. So iow if you didn’t volunteer and include things most of us do minus the laundry-listing you’d have nothing to brag about nor most importantly – sheep clothing for the wolf.

          • Stardust,
            Those making claims, like Laura Stone in regards to suicide rates should be able to back them up with data. It is not the job of others to provide evidence for her claims. If she cannot provide facts for her claims, they should be regarded in her own words as “fantasy”.

            Those like yourself who find fault with something I write would do well to address the issue I bring up. Personal attacks are nothing more than a poor substitute for not being able to make a coherent argument. If I am wrong about how Governor Scott is handling the pandemic pointing out the reasons why you feel Scott is making mistakes is a far better way to convince me and others of your point of view.

          • You have no business lecturing anyone especially on this site. You who *never* provide liinks nor answer questions – Jay Eshelman and Ken Lizotte had several and there have been others on which you pull silent treatment act steering clear of any responsibility choosing to dwell in a parallell universe fantasy world where you are always right. And as such deserve nothing.

            Many maake coherent arguments with added critique – you make self fair game and have no right to dictate rules for others to follow when you don’t follow your own dictum.

            Mirror, mirror much. Truth rests on its own weight – those seeking will find it. Not trying to convince anyone of anything but to inform – can take it or leave it. Site is searchable – anyone searching can find it. Tags on comments and stories would make it moreso.

            Inaccurate, false and misleading disinformation and reprehensible behavior should be called out. Welcome to the blogosphere! Unlike fake-news these things matter – so if you’re any of the above will likely be rejected – watch out, not for the fainthearted. Political lampooning and argument is older than dirt – internet simply speeds it up.

            Unwelcome by many commenters bc of the level of patent dishonesty displayed, rudeness, ongoing self-flattery, failure to back claims w/data and far-left worldview which is diametrically opposed to the site and vast majority of regular commenters and contributers.

            Continual slamming of contributing writers using falsehoods doesn’t help. So kindly take own advice as to who would ever listen to you.

  9. There is no defense of violating the Constitution.
    As I fail to find a pandemic clause in the constitution.
    Benedict Scott has chosen to go the route of the tyrants so he can have a possibility of winning the next reelection and obtain the need votes from the Left.

    A suit could be brought challenging his un Constitutional actions, chances are more than fair he would lose on Constitutional grounds as his dictates violate it.

  10. Wow. So nervy of the Governor to champion science…..the science is indisputable that life begins at conception, yet he cheerfully signed H 57 into law….so much for the “science” when it doesn’t suit political ambition.

    • Mary, you must realize science follows the political winds! My my…you aren’t talking about real science are you? 🙂

      It would be comical if it weren’t so disasterous of consequences.

      Up the wind is changing direction…so too is the science, huh….

  11. Re: “But the fact is, from October 1 to the time of Friday’s announcement, 71% of outbreaks were linked to social events, parties and people hanging out at a home or at bars and clubs. We’re just not seeing these types of outbreaks linked back to people dining at restaurants or working out at gyms.”

    With all due respect, Governor, how do you know these aren’t the same people? Do people who work out in gyms or dine at restaurants not go to bars, clubs, social events and parties – or, God forbid, hang out at home. Contact tracing isn’t that reliable.

    Re: “And while we have a number of cases that have shown up at schools, we have very few schools that have experienced transmission from one person to another, which means schools are not driving this either.”

    It’s anecdotal, to be sure, but the only people I know over the last week or so who contracted Covid are a schoolteacher who transmitted it to her husband. And how do you know whether or not school staff aren’t going out to restaurants or gyms or clubs? Again, contact tracing isn’t that reliable.

    Re: “Put a different way, with pediatricians making it clear that in-person education is critical to the well-being of our children, I’m going to prioritize keeping kids in school. And, again, schools are not the root of the problem.”

    Are there benefits to in-person instruction. You bet. But please don’t insult my intelligence by telling me schools aren’t at least a significant part of virus spread, especially when we know that kids are gregarious by nature and are far more likely to be asymptomatic when exposed. Anyone who has had children, including me, knows that when the kids return to school, ‘the bug’, or whatever it happens to be, makes its rounds. Without fail. Every year.

    No, I’m not a doctor. And, no, I didn’t stay at a Holiday Inn Express last night. But I didn’t just fall off the turnip truck either. And while I’ve heard it said now, over and again, that “By ignoring science you risk depriving others of their right to life”, I recognize a classic false dichotomy or logical fallacy when I see one. Someone who ignores science doesn’t deprive anyone else of their right to life. Those who heed science, if it’s good science, have nothing to worry about… as long as they don’t ignore it.

    The question is, who will accept responsibility for what happens? In the final analysis, it’s always we the people, Governor, not you. Nonetheless, I’ll take your recommendations under advisement and do the best I can.

    ‘We declare for liberty; but in using the same word we don’t mean the same thing. With some the word liberty may mean for each man to do as he pleases with himself, and the product of his labor; while with others, the same word may mean for some men to do as they please with other men, and the product of other men’s labor. Here are two, not only different, but incompatible things, called by the same name – liberty. And it follows that each of these things is, by the respective parties, called by two different names – liberty and tyranny.’ Abraham Lincoln

    ‘The greatest tyrannies are always perpetuated in the name of the noblest causes.’ Tom Paine

    • This virus kills less than 1% of the people that get it..
      Fear is the virus.
      Brainwashing the masses is the virus.
      The media is the virus.
      Phil Scott is the virus.
      The lockdowns are what is killing people.
      See Dr.Tom Woods.. who is becoming the voice of the people dying from lockdowns as their lives are torn apart.

  12. So….could this have to do with age more than anything? Even if children don’t “get” covid, please they spread anything like a tornado.

    Why are we only talking about one doctor? Fauci of all?

    Why are we not talking about the cures out there….has everyone forgotten, Trump cured in 5 days?

    Where are these supplies? Fauci may have a light at the end of the tunnel, but it’s the New World Order train going for a head on collision with our country.

    Social Distancing and masks are great, but please dont’ confuse compliance with any type of science, because all we are hearing is lock down, lock down lock down, nothing about the improvements.

    Is is true for example that mortality has now dropped 70% What about these numbers. Contact tracing and testing does nothing to stop a disease from spreading. There is NO science in that. The test is only good for that minute, you can become infected 2 minutes later by touching door handle and then your mouth or eyes…

    Following the advice of one doctor, for a pandemic is not wise. Questioning his words when they have changed so many times is prudent. People questioning are using the scientific method, his claims SHOULD be questioned and he should be able to uphold his theories with fact.

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