At this point, I think it is clear: many pandemic experts hurt children. School closure was the greatest self inflicted wound of the pandemic. Sensible European nations did not close primary school at all, or only for 6 weeks, but places in the USA remained closed for more than a year. This was a net negative for the health and well-being of children, and will damage this nation for years to come. I am not sure we will recover.
Thanks, Vinay. If all docs had your conscience and courage, most of these insane, unscientific policies would have wilted under the heat of criticism long ago.
From the perspective of a parent of a young kid affected by masking and (soon) "othering" at school (thanks to my lack of comfort with a "we won't know how safe it is until we start giving it" situation, other ethical concerns, and my overall distrust of the entire public health apparatus in the wake of endless untruths), I think you've probably said everything you could on behalf of kids without risking the ire of a cancellation mob sufficiently motivated to put your career in various kinds of jeopardy. Presumably some True Believers have already tried.
It looks like most parents will never stand up for their kids in places (like my wealthy west-coast suburb) where dissenting opinions lead to something approaching excommunication from polite society. I'm so incredibly disappointed in the other parents in my community, I've got no words for them. I have given up on trying to talk sense into them.
Thank you Vinay. Your voice has not gone unseen or unheard from parents who wish this weren't reality. I attended and spoke at many school board meetings last year, in knots and often tears because they remained closed. I hope the kids will recognize the struggle that many went through to try and go against the tide. You will be remembered for your work and words to shed light on this issue.
Thank you Dr. Prasad. Day programs for young adults with special. needs were also closed and to this day remain only open in hybrid model in our San Francisco Bay Area. Terrible negative impacts on their mental health from the isolation, boredom, and anxiety.
Reading this post made me very sad. As a psychotherapist, I know that you are totally right.We have barely begun to see the damage we have caused to children, and for that matter, to adults as well. I've admired your courage to continue to speak out over the past couple of years. You've been one of my guiding lights and supports, when so many of our institutions and leaders have seemed crazed by fear and politics.Rational thinking, let alone common sense, seems to have gone out the window. I know other doctors, amongst other professionals, who are afraid to speak out for fears of career advancement, etc. So again, thank you.
I feel the helplessness you articulate so acutely, every waking hour (and some dreaming ones too). Thank you for your speaking up. I wish my speaking fell on anything but deaf ears. This historian will not forget. This historian has been keeping receipts.
Then there are the absurd quarantine rules in our schools, preschools and daycares for "exposure." And more children are endlessly sent home, instruction is disrupted and the culture of fear is further magnified. Meanwhile we continue to unnecessarily vaccinate young children and the list of harms goes on and on. Dr. Prasad, please keep writing. I wish I could get my left-leaning friends to even read your columns. Their fear has wiped out reason, however, and they decline to entertain another point of view.
The foundation of public policy, especially in regards to health, should be a very high bar that needs cleared to justify doing something versus doing nothing. The status quo arrived for a reason; change should require significant reasons to adjust.
Alas: doing nothing is anathema to bureaucrats, politicians, and the 24 hr news cycle that limelights the former and sustains the latter.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your work, and putting your voice out there, as risky as that is these days. I am a life-long democrat who since the mandates and the demonization of cheap off label early treatments, has been feeling ashamed of her party and the left leaning media that I used to rely on. Unbiased voices like yours are so needed.
I am so grateful for your words of sanity. Whenever I see a Substack article from you pop up, I stop and read it and I am always comforted and inspired by your willingness to speak the truth. I also live in the Bay area and know exactly what the prevailing fear-riddled mentality is like here. I admire you that much more for being strong enough to speak up in this intense (insane?) environment. I have to also say that I have been LOVING your podcast with ZD on the VPZD show. The two of you make me laugh out loud and hearing your balanced approach to Covid/medicine/politics/news is an absolute gift.
Thanks, Vinay. If all docs had your conscience and courage, most of these insane, unscientific policies would have wilted under the heat of criticism long ago.
From the perspective of a parent of a young kid affected by masking and (soon) "othering" at school (thanks to my lack of comfort with a "we won't know how safe it is until we start giving it" situation, other ethical concerns, and my overall distrust of the entire public health apparatus in the wake of endless untruths), I think you've probably said everything you could on behalf of kids without risking the ire of a cancellation mob sufficiently motivated to put your career in various kinds of jeopardy. Presumably some True Believers have already tried.
It looks like most parents will never stand up for their kids in places (like my wealthy west-coast suburb) where dissenting opinions lead to something approaching excommunication from polite society. I'm so incredibly disappointed in the other parents in my community, I've got no words for them. I have given up on trying to talk sense into them.
Thank you Vinay. Your voice has not gone unseen or unheard from parents who wish this weren't reality. I attended and spoke at many school board meetings last year, in knots and often tears because they remained closed. I hope the kids will recognize the struggle that many went through to try and go against the tide. You will be remembered for your work and words to shed light on this issue.
I have tears streaming down my face..as a human and as a mother. Thank you Vinay.
I'm afraid that the future history books , the writers of history will not be allowed to tell the truth.
Thank you Dr. Prasad. Day programs for young adults with special. needs were also closed and to this day remain only open in hybrid model in our San Francisco Bay Area. Terrible negative impacts on their mental health from the isolation, boredom, and anxiety.
Sadly even now if one says this common sense message, they are subject to attack and censure.
"Science" has actually become "religion" - if you dare speak up, you are condemned, much like a heretic in older times.
Thank you for continuing to speak out and being a voice of reason.
Reading this post made me very sad. As a psychotherapist, I know that you are totally right.We have barely begun to see the damage we have caused to children, and for that matter, to adults as well. I've admired your courage to continue to speak out over the past couple of years. You've been one of my guiding lights and supports, when so many of our institutions and leaders have seemed crazed by fear and politics.Rational thinking, let alone common sense, seems to have gone out the window. I know other doctors, amongst other professionals, who are afraid to speak out for fears of career advancement, etc. So again, thank you.
Dr. Prasad, you are a man of honor and integrity. Thank you for speaking out on behalf of our children, even if it falls on deaf ears.
The problem is... too much money to be made
From the vaccines , let's just be truthful, and fear sells, sells masks (need) and vaccines (need + $s)
I feel the helplessness you articulate so acutely, every waking hour (and some dreaming ones too). Thank you for your speaking up. I wish my speaking fell on anything but deaf ears. This historian will not forget. This historian has been keeping receipts.
every NPI and probably PI hurt children. They would be better off if they were just left alone, just like their parents.
Then there are the absurd quarantine rules in our schools, preschools and daycares for "exposure." And more children are endlessly sent home, instruction is disrupted and the culture of fear is further magnified. Meanwhile we continue to unnecessarily vaccinate young children and the list of harms goes on and on. Dr. Prasad, please keep writing. I wish I could get my left-leaning friends to even read your columns. Their fear has wiped out reason, however, and they decline to entertain another point of view.
The foundation of public policy, especially in regards to health, should be a very high bar that needs cleared to justify doing something versus doing nothing. The status quo arrived for a reason; change should require significant reasons to adjust.
Alas: doing nothing is anathema to bureaucrats, politicians, and the 24 hr news cycle that limelights the former and sustains the latter.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your work, and putting your voice out there, as risky as that is these days. I am a life-long democrat who since the mandates and the demonization of cheap off label early treatments, has been feeling ashamed of her party and the left leaning media that I used to rely on. Unbiased voices like yours are so needed.
I am so grateful for your words of sanity. Whenever I see a Substack article from you pop up, I stop and read it and I am always comforted and inspired by your willingness to speak the truth. I also live in the Bay area and know exactly what the prevailing fear-riddled mentality is like here. I admire you that much more for being strong enough to speak up in this intense (insane?) environment. I have to also say that I have been LOVING your podcast with ZD on the VPZD show. The two of you make me laugh out loud and hearing your balanced approach to Covid/medicine/politics/news is an absolute gift.
Bless the doctors like VP who stand up to this incomprehensible nonsense
Hey, Vinay, if you read these….this just in: https://www.reuters.com/world/us/eight-heart-inflammation-cases-seen-among-young-kids-who-got-covid-19-shot-us-2021-12-16/
No one imagined this would happen🙄