In a thought-provoking video, Thomas Fazi discusses his critical views on the COVID-19 consensus and its impact on democracy and the marginalized communities. Along with Toby Green, Fazi co-authored articles for UnHerd, which garnered positive feedback from individuals who shared their skepticism regarding pandemic policies. Fazi also introduces the new edition of his book, “The Covid Consensus,” which offers a comprehensive analysis of the pandemic response, highlighting the influence of powerful entities such as biotech and pharma companies. He argues that this response led to a significant transfer of wealth and power from the real economy to internet oligopolies while causing the destruction of small and medium-sized businesses. Fazi further explores the exploitation of crises by those in power and the emergence of a pre-political and pre-ideological political community in the aftermath of the pandemic.
Table of contents
- Background and Critical Analysis of Lockdowns
- The Covid Consensus: A Comprehensive Analysis
- The Emergence of the Covid Consensus and Its Effectiveness
- Lockdowns: An Unprecedented Approach
- Shifting Perspectives and Global Response
- Centers of Power and the Pandemic Response
- Crisis Exploitation for Power
- Anti-Democratic Tendencies on the Left
- Rethinking Political Labels and Critiquing Institutions
- The Birth of a New Political Community
- Engineering the Covid Panic
- Conclusion
- FAQ’s
- Related Article’s
Background and Critical Analysis of Lockdowns
Thomas Fazi starts by sharing his background as a journalist and writer, explaining his interest in critically analyzing the impact of lockdowns on the global South during the pandemic. Collaborating with Toby Green, Fazi expresses their shared skepticism toward the COVID-consensus, particularly among the left. Their joint articles published in UnHerd offered an alternative perspective that was not widely expressed in mainstream liberal/progressive publications and social media platforms.
The Covid Consensus: A Comprehensive Analysis
Fazi delves into the process of writing the updated edition of “The Covid Consensus,” which he co-wrote with author William Mitchell. The second edition provides a holistic analysis of the pandemic response, encompassing various aspects and weaving them into a coherent narrative. The term “Covid Consensus” refers to the enforced agreement imposed by governments, public health officials, and the mainstream media, presenting a singular narrative of the pandemic response. Fazi argues that understanding this consensus is crucial to comprehending the events that unfolded during the pandemic.
The Emergence of the Covid Consensus and Its Effectiveness
The speaker discusses the emergence of the “Covid Consensus” early in the pandemic, propelled by the declaration of a global state of emergency. Contrary to the scientific consensus on managing pandemics, the response deviated from established practices, particularly concerning respiratory influenza pandemics. Fazi questions the motivations behind this politically-constructed consensus and highlights instances of content censorship on social media platforms that challenged this narrative. He also explores the effectiveness of lockdowns as a response strategy, noting their rarity in modern times and raising concerns about their overall efficacy.
Lockdowns: An Unprecedented Approach
Fazi elaborates on the concept of lockdowns and their unprecedented nature before the COVID-19 pandemic. The World Health Organization (WHO) did not recommend quarantining exposed individuals before the outbreak in Wuhan. Attempts at lockdowns, such as in Sierra Leone, were deemed disastrous by consensus. Fazi mentions a critique by Medicines Sans Frontiers on the 72-hour lockdown in Sierra Leone, highlighting the uncharted territory of extensive nationwide lockdowns before the pandemic.
Shifting Perspectives and Global Response
The speaker discusses the abrupt shift in the global response to COVID-19. Initially, Western commentators expressed shock and horror at the draconian measures taken in Wuhan, believing such measures would never be accepted in liberal democratic societies. However, within a short span, sentiment reversed, and the global community endorsed lockdown measures, even commending China for its approach. Fazi questions the driving force behind this sudden change in attitude, particularly as no new evidence emerged to support such measures.
Centers of Power and the Pandemic Response
Fazi examines the forces driving the pandemic response, arguing that it was not primarily guided by national policies or elected governments. Instead, he highlights opaque centers of power, including influential biotech and pharma companies, public health institutions, and the deep state, as major players. The world’s highly capitalized companies, such as Big Tech and pharma, benefited greatly from the pandemic response, resulting in a massive wealth and power transfer from the real economy to internet oligopolies. Fazi suggests that profit motives played a fundamental role, but he also emphasizes the complete capture of institutions by private interests, which significantly influenced the pandemic response.
Crisis Exploitation for Power
Fazi explores the idea of exploiting crises for personal gain, a concept well-known on the left and articulated in books like Naomi Klein’s “The Shock Doctrine.” The pandemic provided an opportunity for those in power to maintain or increase their control, particularly during a period of democratic uprisings and anti-establishment movements. By ending these movements and undermining so-called populist figures like Trump, the crisis facilitated the preservation of power.
Anti-Democratic Tendencies on the Left
Fazi argues that an anti-democratic project exists within the contemporary left, particularly among academics and media professionals shaping the left-wing narrative. Mainstream leftists often exhibit a deep distrust of the masses and reject working-class values, making it challenging for them to achieve their societal vision through democratic means. Fazi contends that some members of the left saw the pandemic as an opportunity to impose their worldview on society, using their control over knowledge production and information dissemination to further their goals, despite representing a minority.
Rethinking Political Labels and Critiquing Institutions
The pandemic has prompted Fazi to distance himself from mainstream left and leftist labels. He believes that these labels have lost their original meanings and are now tools employed by elites to control and divide society. Fazi also criticizes the European Union and the Euro, viewing them as anti-democratic projects unrelated to the left’s values. He calls for an analysis of reality based on policies and actions rather than relying solely on perceived political affiliations.
The Birth of a New Political Community
Fazi introduces the concept of a new political community that emerged during the pandemic, one that is pre-political and pre-ideological. This community comprises individuals from diverse backgrounds united in their assessment of policies based on spiritual emotions. Fazi argues that the pandemic response has been inhumane and fundamentally wrong, leading to the loss of educational opportunities and social interactions. He also criticizes the implementation of experimental vaccines without adequate scrutiny, drawing parallels between the pandemic response and anti-socialist ideologies that punish individuals through solitary confinement. Fazi suggests the need for a new vocabulary that transcends traditional left and right classifications to better understand the world.
Engineering the Covid Panic
Fazi concludes by discussing the idea that the COVID-19 panic was engineered at the highest level. He posits that while mid-level politicians, bureaucrats, and public health officials may have been overwhelmed, someone at the highest echelons was orchestrating the panic. Fazi highlights the exaggeration of COVID-19’s dangerousness despite early data suggesting a low overall infection fatality rate and limited threat to individuals outside the elderly and those with serious medical conditions. He asserts that this implies a global assault on democracy and the poor through the Covid Consensus.
Conclusion
Thomas Fazi’s critical analysis of the COVID-19 pandemic response and the resulting Covid Consensus challenges widely held beliefs and calls into question the motives and impact of powerful entities involved in shaping policies. By examining the exploitation of crises, the emergence of an anti-democratic project on the left, and the birth of a new political community, Fazi highlights the complex dynamics at play during the pandemic. His critique invites readers to reconsider political labels and think beyond traditional frameworks, emphasizing the need for a deeper understanding of power structures and their influence on global events.
FAQ’s
Yes, Thomas Fazi expressed skepticism and criticism of the pandemic response, highlighting opaque centers of power and their influence.
The Covid Consensus refers to the enforced consensus presented by governments, public health officials, and the mainstream media, presenting a single narrative of the pandemic response.
According to Fazi, the pandemic response resulted in a significant transfer of wealth and power from the real economy to internet oligopolies, benefiting highly capitalized companies like Big Tech and pharma.
Fazi argues that the pandemic response played a role in ending democratic uprisings and anti-establishment movements, aiding the preservation of power for those in control.
Fazi suggests the need for a new vocabulary and a deeper analysis of policies and actions beyond traditional left and right classifications.
Related Article’s
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