So, no one likes lockdowns. No one thinks that they are without secondary harms. And most importantly, NO ONE is arguing for Wuhan-style full-scale lockdowns. No one is. But a straw man argument is being set up by those who want to mislead the American and British publics. 1/

The Great Barrington Declaration--named after the place that is HQ of a right-wing, libertarian think tank/investment fund, constitutively hostile to state action, public programs--is being promoted as alternative to a draconian fantasy of a public heath approach. 2/

What are public health experts really promoting? Testing, tracing, isolation, targeted screening, universal mask wearing, massive social/economic support for ordinary Americans (and Britons). If closures need to happen they can be targeted, focused,. 3/

You mean that's it? No lock you up until 2030 as the proponents of the Great Barrington Declaration would have you believe? Well, yes, but it's not that simple. 4/

In many places in the US we have widespread community transmission happening. We need to get these levels down now. This means a massive voluntary commitment to doing this together to protect our neighbors, friends and families. 5/

We did this in the spring, BUT too many people were left behind. The social and economic support that should have been forthcoming from the federal government in the US got shoveled to big corporations. 6/

We need a new approach that says what do families, small businesses need to stay safe? Main Street not Wall Street has to be the focus. And we need to fight for it otherwise the pigs, the big shots at the trough keep eating at our expense. 7/

But, politics isn't my thing, I don't want to fight. Well, sorry, this is the epic struggle of this generation, this century, you don't have a choice. Get on the bus. 8/

Because if you have time to complain, you have time to advocate, particularly since those who rot in prisons, jails, where the biggest clusters of COVID19 have been, can't speak out on their own behalf. 9/

But these Harvard, Stanford and Oxford scientists say we can have it all! We can go back to normal! Our grandparents will be fine! They have PhDs! MDs! Bollocks. BS. 10/

These fancy scientists suggest that the elderly & vulnerable are safe or their safety is around the corner. Well, no. There is no plan to keep grandma safe. Grandpa either. Or your sister w diabetes. Your son w cancer. No plan. Just beautiful theory is what they're selling. 11./

But I'm young and fit, why do I have to worry? Well, in probabilistic terms, you're far less likely to die from COVID than grandma. But you're not immune, particularly if you're juggling some health issues of your own right now. 12/

But we can reach herd immunity if the young submit to infection now and it will all be better. Yikes. You have to break some eggs to make an omelette. Who said that? 13/

Achieve herd immunity without a vaccine is a recipe for carnage. Dr. Gupta prognosticated that UK was on the verge of herd immunity this spring, in fact, she was wrong & exposure to the virus is far from that threshold. But she keeps at it. Dangling its promise like a prize. 14/

We need a vaccine to get to herd immunity without putting millions of lives in jeopardy. Full stop. Stop the bullshit. 15/

This winter could be grim. Walking with these pied pipers into the arms of #SARSCOV2 because you think you're not at risk or your elders are taken care of is not a plan. It's a massacre. 16/

Yes, this whole pandemic is horrific. The deaths from #COVID19, the long term disability many will face is terrible. AND yes, SO is the rest of it: kids out of school, businesses in ruins, my mental health & yours in tatters. But we deal with it. We rise up, fight for it all. 17/

But the American Institute for Economic Research, @SWAtlasHoover, @RonDeSantisFL--all of whom the Great Barrington crowd is now in bed with, don't want you fighting for what is right, they want you to give up, give in. 18/

I'm in my mid-50s. I have HIV. I saw my friends die in droves in the 80s, 90s. I have no more fucks left to give. Except those peddling pseudoscience, bankrolled by right-wing, libertarian assholes can kiss my queer ass. I know your kind. We beat you once. Will will again. end/