Opinion: “The Common Good of Gun Control and Covid Control”
Gun control measures and mask-wearing are both topics that are unnecessarily politicized, weaponized by those they intended to protect. Experts agree that mass shooters often purchase their guns at the last minute shortly before their attack. The gunman in the Atlanta-area spa shootings purchased a 9mm semi-automatic pistol mere hours before he used it to kill eight people on March 16. A mandatory waiting period or licensing requirement could have possibly prevented the needless death — extra steps that are a small price to pay for gun owners when weighed against the cost to human life.
But while gun control measures are debated endlessly in Congress, there is an immediate action we can all take to save lives. Wear a mask around those outside your household. I know by this late stage in the pandemic, the message feels tired. Yet according to a study by USC, half of U.S. adults still don’t wear masks when in close contact with non-household members, so clearly the message isn’t getting through.
One thing that we can all agree on, is that no one particularly enjoys wearing a mask. In the same way, some don’t enjoy a wearing bike helmet or a seatbelt. Yet we have all agreed as a society that these interventions are a minor inconvenience and worth the life-saving benefits.
Why is it that we can’t apply the same logical rationale to wearing face masks that dramatically reduce the transmission of a rapidly mutating, deathly virus? How has a piece of cloth turned into such a polarizing issue?
The tired arguments of infringements on our freedom and liberty simply don’t hold up. How can you claim that we are free if we are all just one unmasked cough from away from contracting a deadly virus? Like many Americans, I am desperate for my freedom. The freedom to reunite with close friends and family members without the fear of infecting them. But with an average of 75,000 new cases of Covid-19 a day in the US, aided by the rapidly spreading variants this will remain out of reach until more Americans commit to wearing masks.
By implementing public health measures like gun control or mask mandates, public officials are not trying to take anything away from Americans. By contrast, they are giving us the gift of life. The countries that have been so successful in eliminating in Covid-19, like Australia and New Zealand have done so by presenting a united front. Politicians from both sides of the aisle buried the hatchet to present a singular public health message focused on preventing transmission of the disease at all costs. It is time for Americans to embody the same values of unity and mask up to prevent needless deaths
Where they is a stark difference with the Opinion that I have to Challenge and that is The Right To Keep And Bare Arms Is Our Constitutional RIGHT That Has Been Held Up But the Supreme Court. Now we move to the Second Issue as In the Mask Mandate is Unconstitutional but that has not been fought and settled in Court so Until it is Challenged and Ruled on them the Radicals will continue to try and Force the Mask Mandate on Us. Now We get to Common Sense and there lies the difference in The Mask Issues….
Is this a joke? Things like tyrannical mask mandates that have no basis in science are the reason I signed up for this site. Then the first article I read on this site is from someone who wants us to submit to the tyrannical government AND take our guns?! The insanity never ends
Exactly. I also just signed up and this is the first thing I read. I wanted to immediatly cancel my subscription thinking I had made a mistake. But I saw that this article was just this idiots opinion. I will reserve judgement on cancelling my subscription for now. If there is much more crap like this on this site, I’m gone! Just because somebody has a PhD after their name doesn’t mean they have any common sense (probably the opposite – the more letters after the name, the less common sense).
I agree! I was thinking the EXACT SAME THING!!! I thought this was about getting our freedoms back!! And, by the way……if you look at the REAL science, masks DO NOT stop the spread of the coronavirus!!!
Leaving this Idiot’s article on you website will definitely deter people’s support……..they simply will not trust that this is what it claims to be. And right now……people are afraid to trust because they’ve been lied to and controlled by our government!!!!
The opinion writer seems to love stupid analogies, so perhaps he will enjoy pondering this one: Mandating masks does not work in exactly the same way that posting the following sign does not work: “This is a Gun-Free Zone. Gun crimes and mass shootings are prohibited on these premises”
In fact, as supported by actual data, not hearsay and appeals to “common sense”, covid-19 deaths have no correlation to mask mandates and other draconian restrictions. Florida and Texas are doing much better, thank you, than New York and California.
Not only are masks useless for preventing deaths, but they are demonstrably harmful, as noted by Stanford University researchers and the CDC, in separate studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7680614/
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/06/10/ppe-burden/
As for gun crimes, most occur in dense urban areas with the most severe restrictions on gun rights.
I just signed, but did I sign up to the wrong site? What the hell is this?? How is claptrap even allowed on here? Is this not what we are fighting? This was the first thing I looked at after signing up, and I was discouraged, to say the least. I am for 1st amendment rights, and this facts-free idiot to repeat the demonic talking points, but, here? Really?
Exactly what I was thinking!!! I forwarded the interview with Dr Mercola to most everyone on my messenger list, and I’m pretty sure that when they see this article they will feel just like I do!! They will wonder if they been duped once again!! Please, make a section for people to share their opinions and keep it separate from the home page!!!!! Make sure it’s stated that “these are members’ personal opinions”
Everyone’s opinion has a right to be aired, even though I DO NOT AGREE with anything this gentleman wrote! We are fighting censorship, but that also includes allowing opposite points of view. AnywY, best to KNOW YOUR ENEMY and what he is thinking.
I hadn’t even signed up yet, just came in search, and this comes up, on a site allegedly devoted to PRESERVING our liberty and rights…Yes, it’s an opinion, but it BELONGS in WaPo or HuffPo; it’s the exact opposite of preserving anything!
1st issue: MORE guns in well trained hands wielded by stable minded people is the answer here, not stripping us of our last protection against the tyrants in DC, and their minion mobs (antifa, blm, etc). Rather, better mental health assessment, and care, and FEWER psychotropic drugs, especially in young male adolescents to 25 yrs of age!
As for masks, ALL they have amctually been proven to do is increase facial skin, and oral mucosal, or dental health problems in consistent wearers. Only a properly SEALED to the skin N-95 mask will stop a virus going any direction. The rest are just an health hazard to wearers. Fresh air (not AC), sunshine (UV light), and good hand washing with a NON-antimicrobial soap and water, as well as supporting your own natural immune system are the best defenses against nearly all pathogens! The masks are about CONTROL and COMPLIANCE, not health, same as the alleged “vaccines”.
Feel free to wear masks or take the shots, as you choos, or to not own a gun for that matter; but STOP trampling on the rights of others in YOUR fear and ignorance, please…
I agree 100%
Go Sandra….You’ve got this correct!! (Masks are also causing bacterial pneumonia in wearers)
Really this has to be the lead story. I just signed up to what I thought was a freedom loving site and this is what I get. Everything this idiot said has no basis in fact. Studies has shown masks don’t work and are even harmful as they restrict oxygen intake. A person bent on mass murder will find a way – gun, knife, bomb or axe. Get this clap trap off the front page or cancel my subscription.
I agree 100%
The opinion writer seems to love stupid analogies, so perhaps he will enjoy pondering this one: Mandating masks does not work, in exactly the same way that posting the following sign does not work: “This is a Gun-Free Zone. Gun crimes and mass shootings are prohibited on these premises”
In fact, as supported by actual data, not hearsay and appeals to “common sense”, covid-19 deaths have no correlation to mask mandates and other draconian restrictions. Florida and Texas are doing much better, thank you, than New York and California.
Not only are masks useless for preventing deaths, but they are demonstrably harmful, as noted by Stanford University researchers and the CDC, in separate studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7680614/
https://blogs.cdc.gov/niosh-science-blog/2020/06/10/ppe-burden/
As for gun crimes, most occur in dense urban areas with the most severe restrictions on gun rights.
Trojan Horse –
Author is Chair and President of Access Health International. Interesting that Access Health International gets grants from the Gates Foundation.
https://www.gatesfoundation.org/about/committed-grants/2019/09/INV003210
I must agree with the comments above. I just finished reading “US CITIZENS HAVE A NEW WEAPON IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.” In the interest of acquiring a new tool in my fight against Big Tech and anyone attempting subversion of our basic freedoms, I decided to visit clout.io. You know, one of things I remind people of is that you have to be so careful in what you read on the internet. 99% is opinionated, unverifiable bullshit. The article, US CITIZENS… appears now to just be another one of those “suck you in” pieces that get you to support someone who has ulterior motives. If dailyclout.io purpose is to help us change the direction of government overreach, then why is this article here supporting more government overreach. I must say even my expectant, yet doubting thomas mind was flabbergasted by this.6t6
I must agree with the comments above. I just finished reading “US CITIZENS HAVE A NEW WEAPON IN THEIR FIGHT FOR FREEDOM.” In the interest of acquiring a new tool in my fight against Big Tech and anyone attempting subversion of our basic freedoms, I decided to visit clout.io. You know, one of things I remind people of is that you have to be so careful in what you read on the internet. 99% is opinionated, unverifiable bullshit. The article, US CITIZENS… appears now to just be another one of those “suck you in” pieces that get you to support someone who has ulterior motives. If dailyclout.io purpose is to help us change the direction of government overreach, then why is this article here supporting more government overreach. I must say even my expectant, yet doubting thomas mind was flabbergasted by this. If dailyclout wants subscribers like me.. I believe an explanation is not only warranted, but necessary.
I apologize for the double post.. Fat fingers..
This doctor has certainly imbibed in the koolaid. Masks don’t work and the second amendment in the Bill of Rights is here to stay. It is good to hear from all sides although ten minutes listening to CNN would have been identical to this would be tyrant’s position.
Naomi, are you aware that your website is publishing rubbish such as this article? My first response was to ask “is this satire?” Please, stop with the leftist propaganda! You pseudo-liberal, pseudo-progressives have done more to destroy our once-great republic than all the external enemies could ever imagine. Shame on you, shame!
Embarrassing lack of balance or science in a blog for this site. Masks have no basis in physics for the prevention of submicron aerosol transmission or in real world data (look at any of the graphs done by @IanmSC). Aus/NZ peoples health is suffering terribly from their lockdowns. Gun control proponents never look at the crimes prevented by guns!!!!!
Just another persons opinion.
This site, the organization and the idea behind it, have been long overdue. As the commentators above point out, the opinion posted by Dr. William Hazeltine seems to be an opposing viewpoint, according to most of us. The direction of this site may be considered suspicious when articles like this are given prominence. However… Masks should be a personal choice. Even though they do not work. If they make you feel safe, then wear them for your own peace of mind. I will not try and stop you. If I choose not to wear a mask please do not try to make me. I will resist as I believe them to be bad for my health, my children’s health and my grandchildren’s health, based on my research.
Guns should be a personal choice. Angry, frustrated and confused individuals kill people and will always find a way to do so, irrespective of gun control. Yes, guns are a convenient way to cause death. Apparently so are cars, planes, knives and many other methods. Normal and well adjusted people can snap and suddenly wish to do unspeakable things. A law enforcement officer may not be around to protect you. “To serve and Protect” seems lost in the past. Their absence when most needed means I will protect myself. You must protect yourself and your family. What will you do with no means of protection? Tyrants, madmen and criminals will always find a way to exert their will. Don’t take away my ability to protect myself by stopping them. I will resist. When a person intent on killing walks into an area where people have no protection he may exert his agenda with free will. Let that same person walk into an area where others have protection and he will be stopped before too much damage is done. Guns are not the primary problem. People are the problem. For thousands of years people have been the problem. Wars have raged in the name of (fill in any number of reasons) for eons. Started by people intent on forcing their agenda on others and the others resisting. Democracy, true democracy is the answer. I hope this site and the idea behind it will help restore some semblance of freedom and fair Democracy. Overall, in every facet of life on this earth common sense, fairness and goodwill must direct us. Instilled in children, for the children, for the future. While I recognize Dr. Hazeltines opinion as one to be opposed. I would ask him to prove his point, irrefutably. I will join this site, hopeful of it’s motives. All sides must be voiced, heard and considered to reach a consensus.
Thank you for your most excellent rebuttal to Dr. Haseltine’s totalitarian opinion against individual life and liberty.
Does this guy know nothing about the ineffectiveness of masks ? He cannot have done any scientific
research on this topic. Gun control?
I thought that Daily Clout was about preserving the constitution. Sounds pure Democratic reasoning to me..
You might add to your list of 5, a 6th point, that being the preservation of 2nd amendment rights.
Naomi, why was it that you voted for Joe Biden?
My gut reaction is in line with most comments. Look up gun safety from an expert on crime and guns, John R. Lott, Jr.
Apparently, Dr. Haseltine forgot to check the peer-reviewed literature on masks. They do not work for Covid.
The science is in on masks. They don’t make a difference.
Who is this guy? Post some real data else you opinion is just noise. How did he get in here as an “expert”. Masks are like trying to catch mosquitoes with chicken wire.
The stronger the lock down the worse the outcome.
How about data from outside the cesored USA?
https://swprs.org/covid-update-may-2021/