Welcome to the column where you provide the content. As a covidiocy of Karens got cray-cray and teenage border-busters went wild, Jack the Insider wondered why so many people in our communities were behaving so badly during a pandemic. His conclusion: the stupid are out there in number and on the loose. Morons, said Maggie:
“The diminution of responsibility continues. The reasons are many but include helicopter parenting and not marking exam papers critically at school. Herd immunity may be difficult to achieve but herd stupidity is with us in spades.”
Correct, said Keith W:
“Never underestimate the power of stupid people when they gather in large groups.”
Dumb and dumber, said David:
“The stupid have always been out there. But now social media gives them a megaphone to the world.”
D&S doubled down:
“Whenever you think something is idiot-proof, someone invents a better idiot.”
Timothy came up trumps:
“Sorry Jack but Hydroxychloroquine has not been discounted as you suggest. This from July 3 in France: Led by IHU-Méditerranée Infection in Marseille, a group of French research centers initiated early and massive screening for SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) in a hospitalized patient demographic. The study team analyzed the treatment of hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin (HCQ-AZ) for those patients screened positive for SARS-CoV-2. Out of 3,737 patients screened positive for COVID-19, 3,119 were treated with HCQ-AZ. The French team found that treatment with HCQ-AZ decreased the risk of the COVID-19 patient needing transfer to the ICU or death. Overall, the use of HCQ-AZ was associated with a decreased risk of hospitalization.
“The retrospective study revealed that an early diagnosis as well as early isolation and early treatment of COVID-19 patients, with at least 3 days of HCQ-AZ, leads to a significantly better clinical outcome and an expedited viral load reduction than other treatments.”
Brent begged to differ:
“COVID is killing people all over the globe. If this drug were effective, multiple, repeatable trials would bear this out, and we could stem this awful tide. I don’t think that scientists and doctors are avoiding Hydroxychloroquine just to spite Trump.”
Robert reasoned:
“There have been 2 recent studies — one in the US involving 6 hospitals and 2000+ patients. Those given HCQ and Zinc experienced a ~50pc drop in mortality compared to the non HCQ treated. I can’t lay my finger on the citation just now. There has also been another similar study involving similar numbers in Europe with the same outcome.
“There is also a much larger trial in Australia looking CHQ as a preventative in health care workers and also in patients with mild disease. As far as I know, once the cytokine event occurs in the immune system which leads to ICU, HCQ is not helpful.We should at medical treatments with science and not politics.”
Max was mad:
“Throughout Europe and here, it appears that it is predominantly the 20-30 age group that is refusing to obey COVID restrictions - partying/raving (mad??), drinking, drugging. They claim that they are bored with COVID restrictions — that they are young and want to enjoy life.
They don’t give a damn if their ‘enjoying life’ places the health and lives of others at risk, causes the re-imposition of tougher COVID restrictions on the whole of society and further wrecks the economy.
“What have their parents’ generations and society as a whole done to produce such a self-focused, self-satisfied lot of spoiled brats whose only mantra is ME! ME! ME!”
The Tangerine Kid thought:
“The stupid have been on the loose for over 20 years. This is simply another manifestation, the logical endpoint of the education system which has failed to teach students about history.”
Daisy was depressed:
“Well what do you expect in a post truth society where you no longer have to work to earn a living and where the internet has put every fool in touch with every other fool.”
Nigel naysayed:
“ ‘There is no sense of community, no looking after others. But it’s not just that. Take a look at these people and there is nothing there. No grounding in history, no sense of intellectual curiosity, a fluid set of beliefs and credos based on a quick search for easy answers that begin and end with scanning Facebook and YouTube entries from other fools or jumping in the deep end of 8Chan for the crazy brave.’ Well said Jack. Amongst all the mirth we enjoy from your articles; sadly the above sums it all up. May you restore 100pc health and continue writing these gems.”
Great, said Gavin:
“Yet again another brilliant article full of something that’s not all that common these days, sense.”
Quoth Bruce:
“Albert Einstein: ‘The difference between genius and stupidity is that even genius has its limits.’ PJ O’Rourke: ‘World Wide Web: Whose idea was it to put every fool in the world in touch with every other fool?’”
Roger’s rationale:
“You wonder about no sense of community in the most left-wing state of Australia under the most left-wing government in Australia. After decades of all those activists now supported by the Andrews Government telling us that we’re all racists and bigots, that there are haves and have-nots, and insiders and outsiders, and rich and poor, that there is no such thing as a uniquely Australian culture, and definitely no such thing as western civilization, what do you really expect?
“And, after a generation or more of socialist educators destroying the schooling system, all of a sudden people don’t know history and have no intellectual curiosity. No surprises there, surely?”
Disrailee dissented:
“I wear a mask when away from home. I’ve been tested when I had a very runny nose. BUT I have no objection to people questioning why their freedoms are being restricted. Please dont tell me its obvious.
“Police randomly stopping people and demanding to know where they are from and where they are going will have minimal (I think zero) impact on the number of virus cases. Complacency resulted when the Victorian Govt and Health Dept (maybe to justify closing schools) publicised hysterical ‘potential’ figures in March and it became obvious that 10,000 ICU beds were not needed.
“What would have had an impact is to have police and/or ADF staff randomly visiting people proven to be positive to ensure they are isolating.”
Praise from Patricia:
“It’s about time we gave some recognition to the magnificent work being carried out by our police forces. After about 2 minutes of listening to the drivel pouring out of the mouths of these so-called ‘sovereign citizens’, refusing to wear masks, threatening to sue, babbling about their ‘human rights’, I am wishing a passerby would hurl a milkshake over them.
“The police imperturbably follow their training, patiently reiterating their cautionary statements, dutifully providing their name and serial numbers as demanded by these harpies, and generally enforcing the real law, as opposed to the half-baked twaddle spouted at them.
“Try doing that day after day and keeping your cool. The police are under considerable strain anyway, and to have this extra unnecessary pressure imposed on them is reprehensible. Call it for what it is: not ‘sovereign citizenship’ but downright anarchy.”
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Greg Sheridan suggested that the mask refuseniks and COVID deniers needed to crawl back out of their rabbit holes and get a grip. Diana was delighted:
“So refreshing to find a journalist who doesn’t think he is an epidemiologist. And is also aware of the dangers of this virus — something only now beginning to be known.”
Jasper chose a side:
“Statstics only prove what you want them to prove and judging by the comments ... this is simply about health v wealth. Having had 3 heart attacks, a bypass, recent fibrillation and being a diabetic with ulcers, I tend to lean to the health side.”
Peter V protested:
“Ah! It has started! Calling those who question ‘experts and their science’ deniers.”
Cadence countered:
“What should we call these people? Despite their lack of knowledge and lack of understanding of any form of science they, armed only with their over-inflated sense of self, deny actual evidence of what is happening. They are deniers! There is no better word.”
Margaret was amused:
“What we need to do is to not only have lockdown for old folks homes, but have re-education centres where all those deniers who doubt medical ‘expertise’ can be locked down until, after a few ‘struggle sessions’, they admit their guilt and beg for punishment.”
Denial from Doug:
“Most so called ‘Deniers’ aren’t actually denying the obvious health consequences of this virus. They are usually arguing that the practice of lockdowns and restrictions as opposed to sensible hygiene methods are of dubious benefit, ie the current cure is probably worse than the disease.”
Salaam said:
“As usual, a great article from Greg. And a goodly selection of clarifying, questioning and informative comments. But who put ‘Deniers’ into the heading? It only adds a deep fog of scepticism.”
Ellie asserted:
“Thankfully the pandemic deniers are few in number, just big on making noise and drawing attention to themselves. When someone describes themselves as a ‘professional working psychic since the age of 8’, reason and logic is just not going to work on them.”
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Scott Morrison slapped down suggestions super savings were being frittered away, saying people could do what they like with money they earned. Will wasn’t playing:
“By and large, I see people using the super withdrawals to buy ‘toys’. I don’t really care what any report says, I will report what I see: The recreational toy market (ie. dirt bikes, jet skis etc) has gone mad, prices have gone off the charts for used items as the new ones are largely all sold out.”
Daryl asked:
“Why should hard working Australians leave their money in super funds to pay fat bonuses to fund managers. Their bills need to be paid today.”
William reckoned:
“Access to your super is going to be one of the biggest saviours for this country and reduce the national debt piling up. All levers need to be pulled here: government, banks, individuals, we all have to muck in. Unions need to get on board reduce building costs, reduce red tape etc and we will prosper.”
Jennifer said:
“Reports suggest the vast majority of those accessing early superannuation are using it wisely, to restructure finances, draw down debt or in these uncertain times for day to day necessities such as rent and food. Generally, the concept of self funding one’s retirement is not top of mind in early life. Other priorities take precedence such as kids’ education, mortgage repayments.
“From personal experience, I know it is possible to be independent of welfare in retirement and have a good lifestyle even when one starts saving in one’s 50s. Those who fritter their super away away may find that the lifestyle to which they have become accustomed is not available when they reach retirement and are dependent on welfare.
“It is not for the government to dictate how one spends one’s money. I respect those who in these difficult economic times are making wise choices with respect to their financial and family matters.”
JC countered:
“Yes super belongs to the individual but that individual got a tax concession to save for retirement. Assume some of those withdrawing super know (professionals) will catch up in later years while keeping the tax savings associated with the withdrawn super. Is this not an example of double dipping?
“For those low income workers needing to withdraw some of their super they are unlikely to catch up unless the review into retirement savings reduces the tax on their concessional contributions if their taxable income is less then say $50,000 a year. As readers understand a 15pc tax on concessional contributions is a disincentive for low income workers to contribute more to super and and great incentive to contribute more to super for high income workers.
Where is the fairness in this?”
Last word to Madonna:
“Love the cartoon. Fund managers having fun On their large wage. And where they get to play with other peoples garnisheed wages. What an absolute joke that Australia created an industry with other people wages. Where are the good old days when you could do what you wanted with your wages.”
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