The Defender’s Big Brother NewsWatch brings you the latest headlines related to governments’ abuse of power, including attacks on democracy, civil liberties and use of mass surveillance.
White House Sees YouTube, Facebook as ‘Judge, Jury & Executioner’ on Vaccine Misinformation
The White House has YouTube, not just Facebook, on its list of social media platforms officials say are responsible for an alarming spread of misinformation about COVID vaccines and are not doing enough to stop it, sources familiar with the administration’s thinking said.
The criticism comes just a week after President Joe Biden called Facebook and other social media companies “killers” for failing to slow the spread of misinformation about vaccines. He has since softened his tone.
Bill Maher Slams Google, Facebook for Censoring Content That Doesn’t Align With Government-Sanctioned COVID Narrative
Comedian Bill Maher said in a video on “Real Time” it’s “outrageous” social media platforms are censoring content on ivermectin, an antiparasitic drug proven effective to treat COVID.
Maher also criticized social media censorship of content suggesting the SARS-CoV2 virus escape from the Wuhan Institute of Virology in China.
Maher referenced comments by Google’s head of health division, David Feinberg, who told a Wall Street Journal reporter in June that Google doesn’t autofill searches for “coronavirus lab leak” because it doesn’t want to lead “people down pathways” to information that’s not “authoritative.”
This Week’s CHD ‘Community Corner’: ‘Navigating University Vaccine Mandates’
Aimee Villella McBride and Stephanie Locricchio reported:
This week’s episode of “Community Corner” featured an interview with Attorney Ray Flores II, a health freedom and civil rights attorney.
College students across the nation are facing challenging decisions as they approach the first day of school in a few short weeks. Nearly 500 universities and colleges in the U.S. are now mandating the COVID-19 vaccine.
Some universities and colleges are accepting religious or medical exemptions, but for those students who receive exemptions, schools are imposing punitive, discriminatory policies such as weekly testing, social distancing and mask requirements.
Senators Target Section 230 to Fight COVID Vaccine Misinformation
As coronavirus cases rise in unvaccinated populations, Democratic senators are introducing a new bill Thursday that would strip away Facebook and other social media platforms’ Section 230 liability shield if they amplify harmful public health misinformation.
The Health Misinformation Act, introduced by Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) Thursday, would create a carveout in Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act opening social media platforms like Facebook up to lawsuits for hosting some dangerous health misinformation. The bill directs the Health and Human Services secretary to issue guidelines on what should be classified as “health misinformation.”
Coronavirus Updates: Some of the U.S.’s Largest School Districts Reinstate Masks for Fall
Mask mandates are being reinstated in some states, largely because of the Delta variant. The CDC director is calling it one of the most infectious respiratory diseases scientists have ever seen.
Some of the biggest school districts are now making masks mandatory this upcoming school year. Atlanta, Chicago, and Boston all announced students and staff will be required to wear face coverings regardless of vaccination status.
Instagram Users Worry a New Sensitivity Filter Is Censoring Their Work
Instagram users around the platform share one central concern right now: that the app’s new sensitive content filter is blocking their posts. In posts on both the feed and in Stories, account holders are warning their followers that the setting is limiting their reach and that their followers should disable the filter to ensure their posts get through.
“Over the past 24 hours, I’ve had many conversations with artists and other creators who are incredibly frustrated by having their work hidden,” Phillip Miner, an artist and the creator of queer hobby magazine Natural Pursuits, wrote in a post. “Conversely, people are frustrated that they can’t find the content they want to see.”
Boston College Helped Football Player Who Refused to Get COVID Vaccine to Transfer
Hafley did not name the player who transferred. The school is mandating that its student population get vaccinated before showing up for the fall semester or participating in athletics.
“I never gave my opinion about it. I just said, ‘This is the school rule,’ ” Hafley said, according to ESPN.com. “If you don’t want to get it, I’ll support you. We had one player who didn’t want to get it, and we helped find him a new home.”
6 NC Hospital Systems to Require COVID Vaccines for Employees
Six major North Carolina hospital groups announced Thursday that all employees must get the COVID-19 vaccine, including the three hospital systems in the Triad-Cone Health, Novant Health and Wake Forest Baptist Health.
Atrium Health, Duke Health and UNC Health hospitals will also require employees to be immunized against COVID-19, according to a release from the North Carolina Healthcare Association.
Union Hospital Workers Protest NewYork-Presbyterian’s Vaccine Mandate
Hospital workers with 1199 Service Employees International Union (SEIU) rallied Thursday against NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital’s vaccination mandate.
Pharmacist John Simonian joined hundreds of members of his union protesting outside the hospital.
“Force is not the answer, and mandate forcing people at the barrel of a gun is not right,” Simonian said. Simonian has been a pharmacist with the hospital for 35 years. He said the hospital’s mandate that all employees get vaccinated is a slippery slope.
Gavin Newsom Sued Over School Mask Mandate as COVID Spikes in California
Two parents’ groups are suing Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsomover over a mask mandate in public schools. Their lawsuit comes as the state experiences a spike in new COVID-19 infections.
The groups—Let Them Breathe and Reopen California Schools—have filed a lawsuit against Newsom and the state’s top health officials. The lawsuit says that the statewide mandate requiring schoolchildren to wear masks regardless of their vaccination status will harm the “mental and physical health” of children, especially after a year of isolation and distance learning.
‘Don’t Want to Get Vaccinated, Leave’ — Hedge Fund Founder Mandates COVID Shots in His Office
Anthony Scaramucci, founder and co-managing partner of SkyBridge, told CNBC on Friday he has mandated COVID shots at his hedge fund’s office.
He also called on all eligible Americans to go out and get vaccinated.
“We’re a private company. If somebody wants to fight me over the vaccine mandate, that’s fine. Let’s take it to the court,” Scaramucci said on “Squawk Box,” while imploring other firms to follow suit.
By Children’s Health Defense Team
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