TXRogers wrote: Catching up on some weekend reading from fellow investors.
I read the recent blurb in 321Gold, “
Mask are for Sheep” and it’s concluding statement:
"Masks are for sheep. They can’t possibly work for humans. They are a “feel good” solution and no more than that."
It’s a polarizing way to end the essay. I enjoy reading BM , it's always entertaining, and all wrapped around facts and strong opinions. But I think the “mask issue” is a bit more complex than the closing statement suggests.
I would like to offer my opinion from a social perspective. One which I believe places this whole “covid-19” crisis in different light with respect to our physical and mental health. Enough time has now passed by where we can actually ascertain how masks impact all us sheep. And the bees, and the hogs as well.
The Sheep Recent studies suggest a link between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 infection. Researchers from Israel have found that there could be a link between deficiency of vitamin D and infection with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Their study titled, “The link between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 in a large population,” can be read here (link below):
The Study carried out a population-based study among 4.6 million members of
Clalit Health Services (CHS). They collected results from vitamin D tests performed between 2010 and 2019 and used weighted linear regression to assess the relationship between prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 incidence in 200 localities. Additionally, they matched 52,405 infected patients with 524,050 control individuals of the same sex, age, geographical region and used conditional logistic regression to assess the relationship between baseline vitamin D levels, acquisition of vitamin D supplements in the last 4 months, and positive Covid-19.
The results showed a highly significant correlation between prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 incidence, and between female-to-male ratio for severe vitamin D deficiency and female-to-male ratio for Covid-19 incidence in localities (P<0.001). In the matched cohort, they found a significant association between low vitamin D levels and the risk of Covid-19, with the highest risk observed for severe vitamin D deficiency. A significant protective effect was observed for members who acquired liquid vitamin D formulations (drops) in the last 4 months.
In this large observational population study, they show a strong association between vitamin D deficiency and Covid-19 occurrence. After adjustment for baseline characteristics and prior vitamin D levels, acquisition of liquid vitamin D formulations is associated with decreased risk for Covid-19 infection. The higher the rates of vitamin D deficiency, there is also a greater prevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Note: SARS-CoV-2 is actually the virus that causes COVID-19 (the disease).
Differences between Men and women in the Israeli Study
The rates of infection were higher (3.03 percent) in the Jewish ultra-orthodox population and 1.4 percent among the Arab communities. In these communities, the male-to-female ratio is also varied, they wrote. Among Arab communities, women were far more affected than men (1:1.5 – men: women) and in the ultra-orthodox, men were more affected (1.25:1 – men: women)
Explaining these gender differences, the team writes that the lifestyles and clothing of these communities could allow for a difference in Vitamin d levels among men and women. They wrote that there had been studies showing severe vitamin D deficiency being endemic and common among Arab women. This could be a clue regarding their higher risk of getting COVID-19, the team writes.
https://www.news-medical.net/image.axd?picture=2020%2f9%2fCaptudsdre.jpg https://www.news-medical.net/image.axd?picture=2020%2f9%2fCaddpture-1.jpg What Does this all mean? Well, it appears that the folks most protected from the sun (which fosters Vitamin-D production in your body) are the ones most susceptible to Covid-19 infection. Completely covering your body, inclusive of masking your face, would contribute to the Vitamin D deficiency and raising the risk of infection.
So, the above data would indeed support the statement that “masks are for sheep”. They don’t appear to have worked.
But that’s not really the full story.
The Bees In 2019, people aged 65 or over made up a record 28.41 percent of the Japan’s total population of 126.5 million. In addition, over the past decade, Japan's degree of urbanization has reached 91 percent. This means that less than 10 percent of Japan's inhabitants do not live in an urban setting. Japan is well above the degree of urbanization worldwide, which is 55 percent.
If anything, this type of demographic profile, Japan should be suffering the most under a highly infectious disease like Covid-19. But the exact opposite is true. Japan actually enjoys one of the lowest mortality rates from the disease in the developed world. There are no lock-downs. Restaurants and schools are all open. And all trains, buses, and airports are functioning as well. All under heightened awareness.
There are no mask laws in Japan because there is no need. EVERYONE wears a mask because that is what is expected socially. Here is a photo of the departure terminal at Haneda Airport yesterday, which is packed with travelers all wearing face masks.
https://japantoday-asset.scdn3.secure.raxcdn.com/img/store/68/23/420eb51489b9cab7bfef6aedb1824a56ab94/hanedasept19/_w850.jpg This is the history behind Japan’s love of face masks:
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/07/04/national/science-health/japans-history-wearing-masks-coronavirus/ Populist Tokyo Gov. Yuriko Koike, known for her daily coronavirus briefings, has worn a variety of masks, some displaying an initial of her given name and others with illustrations of rabbits and apples. Replicas of the masks she wears are even being sold on flea market apps. During a radio appearance in April, Koike summed up why we need to cover our mouths. “It’s safe,” she said, “and, most importantly, we don’t want to put others in harm’s way.”
And that’s the point in civil society. We don’t want to put others in harm’s way. Wearing face masks are simply a badge of club membership. Masks are only part of the compliance package, which is also accompanied by increased hand washing, cleaning of all public places and building, protection of food, less speaking in public, etc., etc. And it’s all done with full public cooperation, without the need of added laws or police enforcement.
The results are as clear as day: One of the most technically vulnerable societies has been spared a major health crisis. And wearing of the face masks is symbol of this social strength.
Face Masks represent postive results here.
The Hogs
There is no Covid-19 crisis in the West.
There is a Covid-19 Induced Crisis. As an example, watch this short video. A couple came up to the register with two carts, they told the cashier they had 23 total cases of Mountain Dew, 6 in the first cart and 17 in the second cart. The cashier informed them that they have a limit of 3 that they can purchase due to covid-19. At this point, the employees moved the large cart out of the way. The customer asked for the manager. The manager came up and said they could only get 3. The customer then informed the manager that he was going to proceed to buy 3 then take them out, return repeatedly until they had all the cases they wanted.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4FG9hpxcvM&ab_channel=FoxNews
Great survival and social skills on display here.
Fortunately, this scene is not representative of most of our world. But it reveals problems and lifestyle issues far more damaging than anything Covid-19 could ever bring to a nation. Like all potential virus victims, these people are sitting ducks, and there is very little one can do to help them. They were never destined for a long life anyway – both physically and mentally.
Governments are ultimately extensions of the population they represent. An unhealthy selfish, and uneducated population will produce the government which it deserves. And that government will produce the laws and policing that strive to keep it all functional and intact. Until it can no longer do so.
Face Masks won’t work here. Nor will a vaccine. Next to nothing will.
The Monster
There is so much talk that Covid-19 is a hybrid “Frankenstein” virus that was unleased (purposely or accidentally) to wreak damage on mankind. So much fear accompanies that description.
It’s a very interesting description of this virus.
At first glance, the monster in Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is a symbol of evil, whose only desire is to ruin lives. He has been called "A creature that wreaks havoc by destroying innocent lives often without remorse”. He can be viewed as the antagonist; the element his creator Victor Frankenstein must overcome to restore balance and tranquility to the world.
But after the novel is digested by the reader, one becomes aware that the creature wasn't responsible for his actions, and was just a victim of circumstance. The real villain of Frankenstein isn't the creature, but rather his creator. Victor was trying to play god, when he created the creature, and that is something he shouldn't have done. Frankenstein is called a Gothic novel, but it is also very much a sci-fi novel.
There is no doubt that Victor Frankenstein’s creation is a monster. But in the end, the monster only kills three people, and drives his creator so mad that he eventually dies from remorse and fatigue.
In this case, the real monster was unmasked to face his fate.
Tx