Letter to the editor: Scott Atlas and lockdowns
By Martin Kulldorff on September 16, 2020
Dear Editor,
In an open letter, 98 Stanford faculty members accuse their Stanford colleague and White House COVID-19 advisor Scott Atlas of “falsehoods and misrepresentations,” claiming that “many of his opinions and statements run counter to established science.” Surprisingly, the alleged falsehoods are not mentioned, making scientific discourse difficult.
Among other things, the letter advocates handwashing, which Atlas obviously agrees with. So, what are the disagreements?
While anyone can get infected, there is a thousand-fold difference in mortality risk between the old and young, and the risk to children is less than from annual influenza. Using an age-targeted strategy, Atlas wants to better protect high-risk individuals, while letting children and young adults live more normal lives. This contrasts with general age-wide lockdowns that protect low-risk students and young professionals working from home, while older higher-risk working-class people generate the inevitable herd immunity.
The open letter ignores collateral damage caused by lockdowns. Being a public health policy expert, it is natural and reassuring that Atlas also consider plummeting childhood vaccinations, postponed cancer screenings, worsening cardiovascular disease outcomes, deteriorating mental health and more house evictions, just to name a few.
Among experts on infectious disease outbreaks, many of us have long advocated for an age-targeted strategy, and I would be delighted to debate this with any of the 98 signatories. Supporters include professor Sunetra Gupta at Oxford University, the world’s preeminent infectious disease epidemiologist. Assuming no bias against women scientists of color, I urge Stanford faculty and students to read her thoughts.
Martin Kulldorff, professor, Harvard Medical School
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**Comment**
I for one rejoiced the day Dr. Atlas stepped onboard the COVID train. I thought, „Finally, a voice of reason in the madness.“ I knew retaliation against him would be swift and relentless, and I was right. The minute there is ANY factual, logical good news about COVID, the opposition quickly and righteously finds a nit to counter with, even if it’s an imagined nit to keep the fear-mongering alive. In this case, these supposed ‚experts‘ finding fault with Atlas refrain from mentioning specifics but continue with the typical emotional diatribe based on beliefs and a narrative.
To hear Atlas dispute the fear-mongering: https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/2020/08/25/dr-scott-atlas-disputes-covid-fear-mongering-tactics-from-our-health-officials/
Thankfully a few sane individuals remain on planet earth. A PA judge has ruled COVID-19 restrictions are unconstitutional: https://www-foxnews-com.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.foxnews.com/politics/pennsylvania-coronavirus-restrictions-deemed-unconstitutional-federal-judge-rules.
September 23, 2020
https://madisonarealymesupportgroup.com/
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