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State Won't Report Covid Recoveries, Only Deaths

3/31/2020

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  Media outlets are confirming that we cannot look to the Oklahoma Health Dept. for the encouraging news of the vast thousands who are expected to fully recover from this year's novel virus, Covid-19.   Just this morning, Ben Morgan of KRMG-Cox Communications said;

​"The state is not tracking recoveries as a person has to have multiple, consistent tests to confirm a recovery. The limited number of testing supplies makes confirming recoveries less of a priority."
This will give us the false and discouraging impression that everyone is falling ill & perpetually struggling for their lives.  It's a disservice not to at least allow primary care physicians to report, then just add a disclaimer that the health dept. has not verified the  recovery.  This is something that the physicians trade associations can and should set up as a public service. It could be set up in 15 minutes, using Google Spreadsheets & Forms.
  Sadly, Oklahomans already have the false notion that when someone becomes infected, they will end up in the hospital (if a bed is available) and probably put on a ventilator. And the experts say that maybe half those on the ventilators will die.  But for at least 80% (given other nations' experiences), the patient will be very capable of home treatment and safe recovery.
  I write this article while checking in daily with family. One of my siblings is suffering in a Seattle apartment, with only telemed consultation and no test. The symptoms are classic covid and very very painful. But not particularly alarming.  Seattle has several hundreds of recovered patients and they are sharing their stories. That's a good thing! Because if the people don't speak up, then all we will hear is the defeatist narrative from our own State Health Department.
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  We contacted our friends at KRMG. Russell Mills said he's asking people to reach out to them with stories of the illness and recovery. 
​  In further news, Ben Morgan of KRMG also shared these medical resource status details:

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Oklahoma Has 4th Deadliest Rate For Covid-19

3/29/2020

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  Oklahoma has a grave medical statistic emerging from the early data on the Covid-19 pandemic.  After 14 days of infection in the state, our patients have died at a rate higher than 46 other states.  15 of our 377 reported cases have resulted in death. Only Vermont, Washington, and Louisiana have a worse death rate.
  In terms of state saturation, Oklahoma is relatively safer than 38 other states. New York, by comparison, has not only a far greater raw number of patients, but more importantly a '27-times-higher' saturation (per capita).  Imagine if your square mile around your residence had 27 times as many infected patients. That means your own infection is far more eminent. 
  For Oklahoma's public health authority, this has to be a very troubling reality. If Oklahoma has just a relative few cases, but we're losing them at a rate which is 150% higher than our national average. 
  Clearly, the data is hitting our medical providers like a sobering slap. Our state is now creating 2 specialty hospitals just for Covid-19 patients.

  This is not the kind of 'Top Ten' statistic which our governor made a theme of his administration on the day he was sworn into his first public office responsibilities.
  Our data spreadsheets are being made public, here.
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Senator Tom Coburn Passed Away

3/28/2020

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  Beloved Oklahoma statesman, Dr. Tom Coburn passed away this weekend. He was 72.  Coburn has battled cancer multiple times in his life, since even before he was first elected to congress in 1994.
  A family physician from Muskogee, Coburn was the first Republican elected from that Eastern Oklahoma district.  Coburn served as a conservative with values reflective of both Democrats & Republicans.  He refused to attend most partisan conventions and he openly defied national leaders who lacked fiscal restraint in his own caucus.
  He continued to practice medicine while in congress, & had to fight bureaucratic red tape in order to remain a family doctor.
  In his latter years he led a national effort to reform federal and state govt. to reign in spending and growth of government.
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Guest Opinion: Hern's Bailout Vote Could Draw Him A Primary Challenge

3/27/2020

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 Young Tulsa businessman, Eric McCray, has penned his disappointment of Rep. Kevin Hern's vote for $Trillion in bailout payments, today.  McCray is so disappointed that he's contemplating a challenge to Hern in the upcoming primary, unless another challenger comes forward. Here's his letter to SoonerPolitics.

  Disappointed in Representative Hern's vote today. He has been very communicative and great in other respects. Here's why.

  Over a decade ago, I pooped in buckets inside my gutted house, and ran down to the gas station every morning and went without electricity and water for months until I got a gutted house plumbed, then lived in it gutted until it is the quaint home it is today. Parent's home was always open, but i had to FIGURE IT OUT. I know most of you are mostly all in favor of SITTING in the proverbial parent's house when you lose a paycheck for a week or two and want to be coddled with socialist bailouts. Welcome to my life for YEARS after being lied to by society that a college degree had starting pay of certain amounts, that it was worth going. It was not for me.
(Which is another area the government needs to get out of--student loans, let the market set the price of education and employers take the risk/make the investment. Not the government.) I digress.
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Home Educating Is Now The Official Mode of All Public Schools

3/25/2020

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  In a surreal development which most folks in the 1990s would never have dreamed of, the State Superintendent of Public Instruction called on the State Board of Education to adopt a new policy for 'Distance Learning' which directs all school districts in the state to close their existing campus classrooms and provide computers & internet resources for families to receive instruction and complete classwork 'virtually'.
 It is the social spread of pandemic disease which brought about this radical change of course.  Last week, virtual charter school parents became outraged to find that Superintendent Joy Hofmeister ordered virtual school teachers to stop providing phone assistance to the 35,000 students in 6 state funded virtual charter schools. Epic is the largest, and currently ranks as the 3rd largest school district in the state, growing an average 35% per year for each of the past 8 years.
  Parents who already were overseeing their children's daily online instruction were furious to find that the State Board of Education demanded their kids stop learning, for no other reason than "to support a unified solution". Pressure mounted when SoonerPolitics and other media outlets started demanding answers. Lawmakers and local leaders added their voice to the call for a return to the education which Oklahoma taxpayers are paying for.
​
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On April 6th, all public school kids will be back in class, but still at home


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Covid-19 Death Rates Vary Greatly, By Nation

3/25/2020

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  The whole world is looking for certainty in a very uncertain set of dynamics.  What's impacting this health risk most, is the availability of effective medical resources. 

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 In a world where government dictates who lives or dies (through socialized medicine resources), The key factor seems to be how much  the national government has prioritized  preparedness for intensive care unit (ICU) capacity. 
  The two nations with the most ICU resources are the USA and Germany.  But the USA is not a fully socialized medicine society, so a person's wealth & health insurance become a factor.  An insurance company can become the 'death panel' that some European governments have already become.
  We took last night's updated data from the Johns Hopkins global statistical spreadsheets, for this set of comparisons of how the Covid-19 coronavirus is impacting the nations.  Our study focuses on the top 10 nations impacted. 

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Gov. Stitt Invokes State Emergency - Bans Peaceable Assembly Rights

3/24/2020

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  Oklahoma Governor, Kevin Stitt, declares;
  •  an end to gatherings of more than 10 people, in 19 affected counties, in Oklahoma.  Churches can meet, but with only 10 attendees in a place.
  • He ordered several classes of industry and services to cease for 21 days. You can get your car painted at a body shop, but you can't get a tattoo on your ankle.
  • He ordered elective medical and dental procedures to stop, because of a supply shortage on protective equipment like masks and gloves.  Asked if selective abortions are banned, Stitt declined to give a definitive answer.
  We're posting the press statement from the Governor, and the list of 19 counties getting additional restrictions on constitutional rights.
  This is a definite move to take over the medical field and shut down some medical services just because they may use some medicines, supplies, & personal protective equipment(PPE) that he wants available at certain clinics and hospitals.
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Italy Activates Death Panels: "No Ventilators For Patients Over 60"

3/22/2020

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  The state-run socialized health care authorities in Italy have now directed physicians not to put anyone over 60 years old on one of the rationed ventilators.​
  Israeli medical doctor Gai Peleg told Israeli television that in northern Italy the orders are not to allow those over 60 access to respiratory machines. That was the report carried in the Jerusalem Post.   Italy has just a fraction of the Intensive Care Bed Capacity that the USA & Germany have (per capita). This rush on medical resources has compounded the dangers of the pandemic. It's not that 
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Most Covid 19 Patients Won't Need A Hospital Stay

3/22/2020

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  OurWorld Data has taken a mountain of recent medical and research data from the combined global efforts to deal with a global pandemic, the Covid 19 Coronavirus.
  We're publishing a few highlights, but it's well worth the time to read the volumes of data and analysis. 
  The most promising data is that 95% of people who've contracted the virus were able to deal with it in a home setting, with common therapies and medications to alleviate the worst discomforts.
  The remaining 5%, on the other hand,  will need the community medical resources in order to adequately address the critical threat. More than half of them will be successful.  
  Please read the report; Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) – Statistics and Research.  And download the database, if you wish to crunch the numbers further.
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If you want to study raw data, the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has daily updated totals. The World Health Organization is no longer trusted by OurWorld, for statistical reporting and comparison.  Johns Hopkins is the only statistical compiler which attempts to report deaths and death rates.

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Lancet Publishes Good Insights On the Corvid Infection Experience

3/21/2020

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  The British medical journal, Lancet; just published a medical research document on the early cases of Covid19. It shows how about 2/3 of those confirmed cases will not need any inpatient services, much less an intensive care designation.
  We apologize for the clinical jargon which is lost on many of us that don't need to use such 'shop talk'. It's our hope that better mass communicators will publish an accurate rewrite of these facts in a manner that the broader public can gain better insights and comprehension from.
​Viral dynamics in mild and severe cases of COVID-19
Yang Liu - Li-Meng Yan - Lagen Wan - Tian-Xin Xiang - Aiping Le - Jia-Ming Liu
Published:March 19, 2020  PDF [306 KB]
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/S1473-3099(20)30232-2
​  Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a new pandemic disease. We previously reported that the viral load of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) peaks within the first week of disease onset.1,  2 Findings from Feb, 2020, indicated that the clinical spectrum of this disease can be very heterogeneous.3 Here, we report the viral RNA shedding patterns observed in patients with mild and severe COVID-19.
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The Asian medical response has had more time to analyze data than the western nations. Here's one of the first high level papers published in a major medical journal.

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Virtual Charter Schools Allowed To Resume Instruction On April 6th

3/21/2020

Comments

 
  Just 24 hours after sharp criticism came in from parents and community leaders, the State Department of Education relented on Epic Virtual Charter School's request to let their teachers provide telephonic instruction to families enrolled in home-based virtual charter schools.  The retraction of the department's earlier prohibition on virtual instruction also allows innovative local school districts to launch and bolster their own online instruction options.
  Local school superintendents had complained in a conference call to State Superintendent, Joy Hofmeister, that Epic might gain massive new enrollees if they remained in session while the old-mode of instruction was shut down for health concerns.
  Hofmeister is quoted as responding with a statement of agreement, saying; "..that would be essentially 'price gouging' [if Epic continues, uninterrupted].
  But Hofmeister's narrative of 'all districts adopting a uniform approach to the crisis' is viewed by critics we spoke to, as just a thinly veiled effort to suppress children from getting an education because it would undermine the old-guard institutions.
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Despite no health concerns preventing, Epic and other virtual charter schools were ordered to stop teaching students while other districts are closed (but still gathering students for free community meals).

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Hofmeister Demands That Home-based Education Cease Online Instruction

3/19/2020

Comments

 
Lest Epic Charter be seen as even more appealing to families, Hofmeister ordered them shutdown while the other schools remain idle.
On Monday, State School Superintendent, Joy Hofmeister ordered all schools to suspend instruction at least until April 6th. While the schools are observing the planned Spring Break this week, the real impact starts on Monday, when parents were planning to have their kids back in the classroom
But for the 30,000+ kids enrolled in Epic Virtual Charter School, the cessation is completely unnecessary, unproductive, and costly to families. Parents enrolled their kids in virtual charters to allow for the special family circumstances, child needs, safer environment, and flexibility.
  Hofmeister has greatly increased her hostility toward virtual charters since winning her final term in office, in November of 2018. She has been predatory toward Epic, in particular. ​
“This requires a statewide answer and we need to be operating together with a uniform approach and with a unified voice,” Hofmeister said. “We want to put safety first and this is an important measure.” 
 No, joy, we don't need to be using a uniform approach. that's a buzz word for 'don't  innovate'. the failures of our 1800s model of instruction are evident in the diminished results. Virtual Charters may be beyond your capacity to comprehend; but get the hell out of our way!
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Hofmeister still wants the public school districts to gather the students for meals, but refuses to let them learn online, in the safety of their own homes.

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Death Strikes Quickly For Middle Aged Tulsa Man

3/19/2020

Comments

 
  ​Tulsa Health Department officials confirm a Tulsa County resident has died due to COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
Media reports indicate that the man was only diagnosed yesterday. Nothing about the man's health background is public, as of yet.
KOTV News reports:
  • Officials say a man in his 50s who tested positive for COVID-19 on March 17 passed away due to complications on March 18. Officials say an epidemiological investigation is ongoing.

  “It is with great sadness that I confirm that a Tulsa County resident has passed away due to COVID-19,” said Tulsa Health Department Executive Director Dr. Bruce Dart. “This is a tragedy for our community. In these unprecedented times, everyone feels the weight of this loss. COVID-19 has impacted our community on a monumental level, but today I ask you to take a moment to pause and recognize that a family has lost their loved one. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
KOTV also notes;
  • The Health Department is not revealing the name of the man at this time. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt released a statement about the death sending his prayers to the family.​
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Just a week ago, when Gov. Stitt was in Tulsa to meet with public health officials, there were no cases in Oklahoma. The count tripled to 31 in the past 48 hours.

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Former Senator Critical of House Leadership's Proxy Rule

3/18/2020

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 Former 8-year Oklahoma Republican Senator, Don Rubottom weighed in on yesterday's historic move of the Oklahoma House of Representatives, declaring an emergency and authorizing proxy voting.
  The SoonerPolitics Facebook group is a social media site devoted to a discussion of news & issues printed in the SP media site.
  Don Rubottom's initial reaction to the legislature's unprecedented proxy rule was met with an engagement by members of the House leadership. The primary engagement came from the powerful Majority Floor Leader, Jon Echols, followed by Judiciary Chair, Chris Kannady.
I've posted up a journal of the dialogue from these political leaders. A few other comments were also included in the journal, but I was hesitant to add  comments from private citizens unless it is particularly substantive.
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At the 2015 SRLC; OKGOP Chair, Randy Brogdon, welcomed fellow senate alumni, Don Rubottom back to Oklahoma
  • Richard Harris Proxy voting by the legislature is tantamount to taxation without representation.
    • Luke Black
    • Don Rubottom
      Don Rubottom It is gutless.
    • Jon EcholsActive Now
      Jon Echols Don Rubottom gutless is working for a legislature (where you work in Florida) that is adjourning and not coming back at all until after the situation passes and then daring to take shots at people who planned ahead and can still have a functioning government no matter how bad it gets.
    • Don Rubottom
      Don Rubottom Jon Echols see below. You are the ignorant one.
    • Jon EcholsActive Now
      Jon Echols Don Rubottom you mean below where I posted hard facts to show what you are saying is wrong.

      Don I’m done. I’ll keep protecting Oklahomans. Please I’m begging you, look at what is happening in Florida. That should be your main concern. It is not good right now.

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Covid19 Death Rates Vary Greatly

3/18/2020

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Ample Medical Resources Are Key To Pandemic Survival Rates

  Some raw data is beginning to be published, about the survivability of the Covid19 strain of Corona Virus. Sadly, it tells us some big discoveries about what we need to survive on a very national scale.
  Yes, we've learned that lung issues and aging are factors deeply impacting our prognosis, once the virus is infecting us. Other immune issues and serious health matters are obviously going to also determine our odds of beating the infection.
  But Italy is a huge case study for the whole world to observe (and pray for). The virus hit the northern parts of Italy, first. they share a border with Germany, but the contrast is extreme.  In Italy, 1 in every 13 patients with Covid19 have died. But in Germany that ratio is 1 in every 386 patients.
   In the weeks to come, we will see better details of what the patient experience is like in the various nations. But it underscores why the US is seeking to slow down the spread, so that hospitals are not overrun. Governments at all levels are scrambling to set up contingencies for a very tough few weeks ahead.
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Italy is the worst-hit nation with a death rate of 8%.

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    David Van Risseghem  is the Publisher of SoonerPolitics.org. The resource is committed to informing & mobilizing conservative Oklahomans for civic reform.  This endeavor seeks to utilize the efforts of all cooperative facets of the Conservative movement...

    ​"No politician 'checks off every box" in your list of issues. You have to prioritize and use personal discretion regarding every current and future issue that you can imagine. Then you have to also judge integrity & consistency. A candidate's openness to study the issues & courage to think for themselves. Then you need to review their honesty & work ethic.  I respect any voter's decision, when they've informed themselves and took voting seriously." - David Van Risseghem
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 SoonerPolitics.org is committed to informing & mobilizing conservative Oklahomans for civic reform & restored liberty. We seeks to utilize the efforts of all cooperative facets of the Conservative movement... Content of the diverse columns are solely at the discretion of the dozens of websites who create the content.   David Van Risseghem  is the founder of this platform.
 Sooner Politics News is a platform, not a media site. All our bloggers get their feeds promoted regardless of content. As soon as We suppress or delete even one posting, we become an endorser of whatever We didn't censor..The publisher doesn't (and could not) logically agree with all the content, so we would not expect any rational reader to agree, either. What we do hope, is that readers will think for themselves, and at least be better informed of the issues, events, and values that our citizen journalists work hard to provide for free.. We automate much of the tasks so that our sources' content gets as much exposure as possible. We encourage constructive discussion & debate. The solution is more free speech, not less.​

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