Disgraced former Health Secretary Matt Hancock, who was forced to resign in June when he breached the Covid guidance he had imposed on everyone else through having an affair with an aide, wrote an article in the Telegraph this week calling for immediate mandatory vaccination for NHS and social-care workers. The Government announced last week that it would delay mandatory vaccination for these workers until April 2022 to avoid exacerbating winter staffing problems, with an estimated 100,000 NHS workers still unvaccinated. Hancock, however, argues this is a mistake that puts lives at risk.
His article contains so many factual and logical errors, however, that it serves primarily as an illustration of why Hancock as Health Secretary was such a disaster for the country, with an untamed authoritarian impulse and the absence of capacity for critical or nuanced thinking. Hancock’s world is one of crisp, clean black and white, where science speaks in unison, and what is healthy becomes what is morally required and what is morally required becomes what is legally required with barely a pause for breath. If there is any liberal impulse in there he conceals it very well indeed.
Let’s take a few minutes to go through his piece and spot the many places where his argument falls down.
One year ago today, the UK was in a perilous position in our fight against COVID-19. In the absence of vaccines, there was no way to fight the pandemic without painful lockdowns and deprivations of freedom. But the development of vaccines has changed all that.
This is a bad start. It repeats the false claim that COVID-19 cannot be managed without restrictions or vaccines. This completely disregards the evidence of places which imposed few or no restrictions, such as Sweden, Florida, South Dakota, Japan and Tanzania, and fared no worse than places which imposed the harshest restrictions. It also ignores the evidence from numerous published studies showing that the stringency and timing of restrictions was not associated with significant differences in outcomes.
But the honest truth is that vaccination matters more for some than others. Obviously, vaccination matters most for the oldest, and for those who care for the most vulnerable, too. After all, getting the vaccine isn’t just to protect you, but to protect those around you who you might otherwise infect.
Here appears the assumption that getting vaccinated protects other people from infection. Hancock cites no figures or studies to back up this claim, and whatever older data might have shown on this score, the latest studies – from California, Sweden, Qatar, Israel, and in U.S. veterans – indicate strongly declining vaccine effectiveness against infection and transmission within six months. Recent U.K. Government data has shown infection rates in the vaccinated much higher than in the unvaccinated, while Boris Johnson himself admitted last month that the vaccine “doesn’t protect you against catching the disease, and it doesn’t protect you against passing it on”. Yet here we have a former Health Secretary writing an opinion piece in a national newspaper arguing for a coercive vaccination policy on the grounds that it does.
So, it is vital for people who work in caring roles – in social care and the NHS – to get vaccinated. Our NHS staff have been the heartbeat of the nation throughout the pandemic. Their hard work, care and sacrifice have been truly inspirational. It is telling that roughly nine in 10 NHS staff have been double-vaccinated. That’s wonderful. But nine in 10 is not enough.
Not enough for what? Hancock doesn’t tell us. Though making the case for an urgent invasion of privacy and bodily autonomy, he doesn’t feel he has to set out why 90% is not a high enough level of coverage. His praise of the “hard work, care and sacrifice” of NHS staff is also hollow as he is in the middle of arguing that up to 10% of these “inspirational” people, 100,000 of them, should lose their livelihoods. Clap for carers? Sack for carers, more like.
For those who work in caring roles, protection of patients is a moral duty. Given the proven safety and effectiveness of vaccines in saving lives, vaccination is a moral duty, too.
The claim that vaccination is a moral duty collapses when the vaccines are not proven to provide a sustained level of protection against infection and transmission. But even if they were, the duty to do something that protects others is modified by how much you doing it would actually reduce the absolute overall risk to others, whether there are alternatives that have a similar effect, and the additional harms or risks that it may present to you or others. When a vaccine has no long-term safety or efficacy data, and the short-term data gives a mixed picture, it is hard to regard there as being any moral duty to take it.
Having looked at all the evidence, I am convinced that we must require vaccination for everyone who works not just in social care, but the NHS, too – and get it in place as fast as possible.
To me, the logic is crystal clear. Medicine is founded on science – and the science of the Covid vaccine is comprehensively proven. Mandating the use of the best science isn’t controversial – it’s common sense.
Here the open and shut logic of Hancock’s medical authoritarianism is on full display. “I am convinced”, “we must require”, “as fast as possible”, “comprehensively proven”, “not controversial”. These are the sentiments of someone who has the making of a very dangerous man and we should count ourselves lucky that he was brought down by his romantic misdemeanours before his “crystal clear” logic could do any more damage.
There are some people who say this isn’t the way we do things in Britain. But we already mandate vaccination against hepatitis B for doctors. Historically, the precedent for compulsory vaccination in Britain goes back to the 1850s.
Around the world, mandating vaccinations for healthcare workers is becoming more common, too. In France, in July, fewer than two-thirds of healthcare workers were vaccinated. By October, just three months after the introduction of mandatory vaccination, 99% were.
Then there are those who say that too many staff would quit. Never mind that these same claims made in France turned out to be unfounded, with only 0.1 per cent leaving their posts.
The difference with the hepatitis B vaccine is that its high efficacy against transmission and its safety are long established and proven. Hancock’s claim that hepatitis B vaccination is already similarly mandated for doctors is also false in that there is no law that requires it, even if some employers require it of some medical staff. Full Fact looked into this in March, when Hancock first made these claims, and pointed out that “there are no laws that currently require people to be vaccinated, against any disease”. The fact that France successfully coerced most of its healthcare workers to be jabbed also does not imply the policy would be similarly successful here, or that it is the right thing to do.
More than that, the practical case is overwhelming. Is it better to have someone with a high chance of spreading Covid moving around our hospital wards, or to protect that ward from someone bringing in the infection? We have seen far too much Covid spread already within hospitals. Now we have the science to hand to stop it – and we must.
Again, we see the mistaken assumption that vaccination is highly effective at preventing infection and transmission.
All the same arguments apply, with just as much force, to flu. We know the Covid and flu vaccines can be safely administered together. We know they both protect the vaccinated and those around them. There is no respectable argument left to leave this tool in the locker and have hubs of infection allowed to work on our wards.
Hancock here now moving seamlessly to apply the same ‘logic’ beyond Covid to ordinary winter illness, to flu, and dismissing any idea that there is a ‘respectable’ argument against it. The man could scarcely be more authoritarian if he were dressed in military uniform. Why not just force everyone to do everything that you think will protect others, Matt? The fact that flu jabs are deemed to be only around 20-50% effective seems to have passed him by.
If you’re still not convinced, consider this. Our hospitals treat thousands of people who are not just vulnerable to Covid but who have no defences at all because of the very treatment they are receiving from that hospital. Imagine the cancer patient, already battling another deadly disease, being cared for by a nurse. Who can put their hand on their heart and say they would be happy to tell that patient their nurse could have the vaccine but has chosen against all scientific and clinical advice to ignore it?
The flaw here is that it isn’t true that “all scientific and clinical advice” says everyone should have the vaccine. Many medics and scientists have reservations about deploying the vaccines outside of risk groups, because of the high number of unknowns about them in terms of efficacy and safety.
So, as we prepare to face a difficult winter, let’s use all the tools that we have to save lives.
Only by mandating vaccines for NHS and social-care staff can we honestly say the NHS is as well prepared as it can be – and doing all it can to maintain its duty to protect patients – and in so doing protect the freedoms we cherish so much.
Spot the doublespeak here, as the former Government minister appeals to the protection of freedom to bring in yet another policy out of the totalitarian playbook, where decisions are made not by the individual but by the state, for the ‘good of all’.
Worst of all, the only difference between Hancock’s position and Government policy is the timing (and the fact that the Government hasn’t yet indicated it will mandate flu vaccines as well). With mandatory vaccines for care home staff coming in on Thursday and for NHS staff by next spring, it appears Hancock is not the only one with an untamed authoritarian impulse. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it is those still in Government who are in a position to impose their will on the country.
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“A testing regime is likely to be introduced in the place of automatic isolation.”
So our kids get their tonsils scraped with a chemical laden swab on a regular basis. FOR NO GOOD REASON. Children are at statistically zero risk of death or serious illness from coronavirus.
No.
No.
No.
What happened to all restrictions lifted on 19 July?
I don’t think they ever said “all” without any caveats and I suspect also that coerced mass testing is not seen as a restriction, which it clearly is. The contracts for testing, track and trace, propaganda and vaccines have been signed well into the future.
I think the original wording of Johnson’s roadmap was that “he hoped and expected all restrictions would be lifted, no earlier then 21 June”. In true Orwellian fashion, this message has been repeatedly weakened by Johnson and his colleagues so that few of us expect the restrictions to end completely, but the original statement was clear, with only the timing subject to change. (Also, it’s as well to be particularly wary of government spokesmen giving very upbeat messages in the days immediately before byelections, and then backtracking when the votes have been counted.)
I am quite sure that he was talking about headline restrictions that forced businesses to close or restrict customer numbers. He probably regards mass testing, track and trace, vaccines, covid propaganda, requirements to test and quarantine for international travel as sensible and essential public health precautions, and by now the public probably also think that as they’ve been brainwashed into it. The idea that we’ll return to 2019 and treat covid as just another virus is fanciful.
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Watch out – a new danger.
Ending a totally insane situation will be treated as ‘good news’. Another old trick in a new bottle.
Indeed, and in this case ending one insane situation (forced self isolation) with another one (forced testing). Testing may be less damaging, but it’s no less insane, costs money and perpetuates the madness. In fact it may well push the “case” numbers up.
We will not be out of the woods until measures are rolled back and NO mitigation or replacement is put their place – until it is admitted they were all futile. If I am lucky I have a few decades left, and I don’t think I will see it in my lifetime.
I suspect we’re moving towards a situation where it’ll be necessary to test yourself often to be able to access anything. Illusion of control and safety, crony contracts.
Hancock spent many millions on tests so that have to be used somehow.
If testing will replace isolation in September then we’re not back to normal.
Anyone who thinks we will be back to normal in September needs their head read, to quote Kerry Packer.
Poor children at the mercy now of sick politicians and ‘scientists’. The real data does not warrant any of this.
More testing means more test kits and ppe, which means more storage for test kits and storage, which means more money for ‘anyone’ with storage facilities, a nice little earner along with all the others.
And all those resources and plastic and stuff, sort of goes against the Green agenda somewhat, doesn’t it? But hey, we won’t talk about that…
And don’t rattle the environmental cage!
I think the following is the best article I’ve ever read on this criminal insanity, genuinely.
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/the-war-on-reality-gutentag
Yes it was and I’ve shared it again.
I quite agree. Possibly even the brainwashed masses would also be able to read and understand it (if they were ever willing to).
Thank you for this.
Daily testing of children to allow them to go to school… Nope, not in my home.
For as long as this goes on we will never be free whilst we have a Government of Occupation!!
https://americasfrontlinedoctors.org/frontlinenews/lisbon-court-rules-only-0-9-of-verified-cases-died-of-covid-numbering-152-not-17000-claimed/
I’ve had 3 letters from the NHS/affiliated with Imperial College over the past 3 weeks asking me to take part in a Covid testing programme, it seems my GP has put my name forward, probably because I refused the jab. Has anyone else been targeted?
Is this the antibody test? I’ve done it, and it isn’t because you haven’t had the vaccination. In fact they specifically stated that you could take part if you had had the vaccination, this being the exception rather than the rule. If it is the same study then they’re looking for the prevalence of antibodies in the general population.
They didn’t mention antibodies.
Snap.
I know an experienced teacher who tells me its ridiculous that her school has once again been isolated because one child tested positive. But she is still isolating, following all of the rules. Her young daughter has been tearful she tells me but blames other things, not the pressures of all of this, the testing her mother is continuing with, following orders. I just cannot understand the logic, says its ridiculous then following orders.
At least that’s an advance on, say, 6 months ago when most people were following orders and NOT thinking it was ridiculous.
Why don’t all schools refuse to follow the “rules” and then see how the establishment manages to deal with mass lawful disobedience.
It’s incredible isn’t it? I’ve pretty much stopped talking to friends and acquaintances about the illogicality of it all as despite the glaring flaws in every single mandate, legally enforced ‘guidelines’ etc, no one is prepared to agree that we’ve been utterly shafted. They just stare vacantly and say ‘yes, but…’ No counter arguments, no analysis, just compliance. Makes me very depressed. Can’t see a way out of that- if people aren’t prepared to question things, the govt have won and we are sunk.
Remember the good old days, that when you were ill, you knew it and so did your mum, and you had a day off? How dangerous and risk taking was was that? How on earth did we survive? 🙄
The testing is a scam. We should only test seriously ill people. Don’t comply.
I suspect by and large people who post here are not complying but it’s tricky if you need to travel abroad for work or to see family or to attend to important personal business, and tricky if your employer insists on it as a condition of your work
Easy if it’s a DIY at home LFT test. Just say “negative”; giving the code on the test stick and throw it all in the bin.
PCR tests for travel more tricky unfortunately.
Yes, good point about LFTs at home
I don’t think that’s really in the spirit of what we’re trying to achieve here. How about you tell your employer that they have no right to “insist” upon invasive medical screening as a condition of your employment and see how far they’re willing to take it?
A good read
https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/the-war-on-reality-gutentag
School supplied test kits went in the recycling at the weekend.
All Made in China.
have not noticed the Childrens Commissioner saying anything against the efforts being made to vaccinate children
Things are not getting back to normal , actually those in charge of the asylum are just changing the decor. Before visiting a patient in a care home I now have a LFT which has a sensitivity at best of just over 50 % . The Americans have decided to throw away their LFT s as they are worse than useless.
If you call primary care 111 out of hours your chances of getting some attention are now minimal . Sorry not my fault. Loads of kids , much more than expected for this time of year have viral respiratory infection ( Not Covid but RSV or parainfluenza ). Very unusual . Lots of my colleagues despite boasting that they are ” double vaxxed ” are refusing to see these kids and sending them to A and E ( wait time 6 hours ).
It will get worse in the autumn .
So. I dare anyone to pop on the BBC news pages today and marvel in how they have two leading pictures of kids in class WEARING MASKS. I assume this is to soften up the masses ahead of a return to class in September with a brand new Helix stationary set + a mask. And maybe a vaccine. Oh yes. It’s all coming to an end on 19th July. Is it fuck !
Beware the Telegraph campaign.
We know that they have received Gates funding. They have their “Global Health Security” team of journalists, beavering away at the propaganda mine, furthering the agenda of the globalists.
This “campaign” may be worthy in terms of stopping children being kept out of school. But at what cost? More testing and, inevitably, pressure to have TeH VacCine.
Why do we have to wait until September?
WE NEED THIS NOW!
I don’t think we need this now at all. It’s just replacing on form of pointless disruptive interference with another, arguably marginally less damaging.
It just perpetuates mass testing which has been the main mechanism used to control us through fear.
In other words, Kim Jong Johnson is prolonging the torture as he pretends to be ending it.
…
The obsession with testing is a malignant thought process which pervades society. We have permitted Epidemiologists and Public Health Doctors to dictate health care which they do not understand. More importantly it should be shouted out that vaccination of children is immortal and unethical- Will any doctor or nurse who vaccinates a child who develops a complication or fatality associated with a vaccine ,face the parents and tell them it was a worthwhile risk ?
STOP FUCKING TESTING. Then it all disappears. You only need to test children WITH SYMPTOMS! everyone else just get on with your lives. How do you know if its a confirmed test? Oh by using a test that does not fucking work. This is purely bullshit to back up jabbing kids. FUCK OFF. If you tolerate this, your children will be next!!!
I don’t expect Wales to follow suit. The situation here is beyond insanity. My daughter is in a whole year group bubble of 300 children. 1 Positive and they are all sent home. 4 ten-day isolations in a 65 day period between 9th September – 9th December. In this time children cant even leave their house for a walk. We’ve just had another one that was extended to 14 days due to the delta variant! I challenged the fact with track and trace that she was not a close contact as no contact tracing in school had happened (the head had simply handed over a list of 300 children). I was told;
Parents were running around getting all their children tested and posting rubbish on social media about selfish parents who were questioning vaccines and not lateral flow testing twice a week. Letters to the Head, MP’s, MS’s, Head of Public Health, Ministers for Education, Health and Mental Health all received the same response, I must see the greater good and do all I can to stop transmission. My child mental and physical health (never mind her education) is just collateral damage in this phoney war of the virus.
I used to be rather fond of Welsh Rabbits: no more!