Over the past month or so, Black Lives Matter (BLM) has become a power player in the political arena. According to , 67 percent of American adults support BLM and 38 percent strongly support BLM.Obviously, the death of George Floyd was a tragedy. And even more obviously, racism is abhorrent. However, from a policy perspective, BLM is pushing a rather radical agenda that would alarm most Americans.So, policy-wise, what exactly does BLM want? According to BLM’s political arm, (M4BL), the long list of demands includes several things I doubt 67 percent of Americans would support.For instance,...…Over the past month or so, Black Lives Matter (BLM) has become a power player in the political arena. According to , 67 percent of American adults support BLM and 38 percent strongly support BLM.Obviously, the death of George Floyd was a tragedy. And even more obviously, racism is abhorrent. However, from a policy perspective, BLM is pushing a rather radical agenda that would alarm most Americans.So, policy-wise, what exactly does BLM want? According to BLM’s political arm, (M4BL), the long list of demands includes several things I doubt 67 percent of Americans would support.For instance,...WW…

In the midst of the coronavirus crisis that has ushered more control into the government’s hands at the expense of individual decision-making, we are learning why socialism has failed—and always will.Apologists for socialism and communism claim that real socialism has never been tried. That is, the failures of the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela, and others were due to bad leadership instead of bad political philosophy. But an egalitarian society where leaders and elites resist enriching themselves at the expense of others is impossible. And the actions of our elites during this pandemic...…In the midst of the coronavirus crisis that has ushered more control into the government’s hands at the expense of individual decision-making, we are learning why socialism has failed—and always will.Apologists for socialism and communism claim that real socialism has never been tried. That is, the failures of the Soviet Union, Cuba, Venezuela, and others were due to bad leadership instead of bad political philosophy. But an egalitarian society where leaders and elites resist enriching themselves at the expense of others is impossible. And the actions of our elites during this pandemic...WW…

Since the coronavirus outbreak, Americans’ view of China’s Communist Party has turned decidedly negative. According to a new , 66 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of China. For comparison, in 2017, only 47 percent of Americans held an unfavorable view towards China.Although there are many possible reasons behind this sudden shift in public opinion, it is more than likely that China’s abysmal response to the outbreak in Wuhan is the primary driver. Why? Because, from the very beginning of the outbreak, China’s Communist Party has engaged in a coverup, which has put the rest of...…Since the coronavirus outbreak, Americans’ view of China’s Communist Party has turned decidedly negative. According to a new , 66 percent of Americans have an unfavorable view of China. For comparison, in 2017, only 47 percent of Americans held an unfavorable view towards China.Although there are many possible reasons behind this sudden shift in public opinion, it is more than likely that China’s abysmal response to the outbreak in Wuhan is the primary driver. Why? Because, from the very beginning of the outbreak, China’s Communist Party has engaged in a coverup, which has put the rest of...WW…

The U.S. government has gone on an unprecedented spending spree to fight COVID-19. As of this writing, the federal government has already in so-called COVID-19 relief.We can likely add another $1.9 trillion to that figure, considering that the U.S. House of Representatives is about to send the American Rescue Plan to President Biden’s desk for his signature.This means that in less than one year, the U.S. government has spent close to $5 trillion on combating the coronavirus. This comes on top of the , the highest ever.Even before the extra spending in light of the pandemic, the U.S. budget...…The U.S. government has gone on an unprecedented spending spree to fight COVID-19. As of this writing, the federal government has already in so-called COVID-19 relief.We can likely add another $1.9 trillion to that figure, considering that the U.S. House of Representatives is about to send the American Rescue Plan to President Biden’s desk for his signature.This means that in less than one year, the U.S. government has spent close to $5 trillion on combating the coronavirus. This comes on top of the , the highest ever.Even before the extra spending in light of the pandemic, the U.S. budget...WW…

HR 1, , is quite possibly the most misnamed bill in U.S. history, although the PATRIOT Act might give it a run for its money. In reality, it should be called the For the Politicians Act.Why? Simple. HR 1 would be a boon to politicians, while sticking it to we the people.For starters, HR 1 would use taxpayers’ money to subsidize politicians’ campaigns.According to the “H.R. 1 would create an additional assessment on many criminal and civil penalties currently imposed by the federal government, or on related settlements, equal to 4.75 percent of the penalty or settlement amount. The proceeds...…HR 1, , is quite possibly the most misnamed bill in U.S. history, although the PATRIOT Act might give it a run for its money. In reality, it should be called the For the Politicians Act.Why? Simple. HR 1 would be a boon to politicians, while sticking it to we the people.For starters, HR 1 would use taxpayers’ money to subsidize politicians’ campaigns.According to the “H.R. 1 would create an additional assessment on many criminal and civil penalties currently imposed by the federal government, or on related settlements, equal to 4.75 percent of the penalty or settlement amount. The proceeds...WW…

According to a new study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a $15 federal minimum wage would destroy at least 1.4 million jobs, expand the deficit, and decrease U.S. living standards. In other words, the current campaign to more than double the federal minimum wage would inflict severe economic and social harm.The CBO report, , delivers a knockout blow to the unsubstantiated claim that minimum wage hikes do not decrease jobs. As the report states, “In 2025, when the minimum wage reached $15 per hour, employment would be reduced by 1.4 million workers (or 0.9 percent), according to...…According to a new study by the Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a $15 federal minimum wage would destroy at least 1.4 million jobs, expand the deficit, and decrease U.S. living standards. In other words, the current campaign to more than double the federal minimum wage would inflict severe economic and social harm.The CBO report, , delivers a knockout blow to the unsubstantiated claim that minimum wage hikes do not decrease jobs. As the report states, “In 2025, when the minimum wage reached $15 per hour, employment would be reduced by 1.4 million workers (or 0.9 percent), according to...WW…

Article TextRespiratory epidemiologyLast-resort strategies during mask shortages: optimal design features of cloth masks and decontamination of disposable masks during the COVID-19 pandemicFace masks and respirators are the most widely used intervention measures for respiratory protection. In the wake of COVID-19, in response to shortages and lack of availability of surgical masks and respirators, the use of cloth masks has become a research focus. Various fabrics have been promoted with little evidence-based foundation and without guidelines on design principles for optimal performance. In...…Article TextRespiratory epidemiologyLast-resort strategies during mask shortages: optimal design features of cloth masks and decontamination of disposable masks during the COVID-19 pandemicFace masks and respirators are the most widely used intervention measures for respiratory protection. In the wake of COVID-19, in response to shortages and lack of availability of surgical masks and respirators, the use of cloth masks has become a research focus. Various fabrics have been promoted with little evidence-based foundation and without guidelines on design principles for optimal performance. In...WW…