Opinion

 

Dear friends,

 

I am happy to report that on February 8^th I received my 1^st Moderna Vaccine shot. Other than a stiff right arm, there was no consequence. I received my 2^nd shot at 4pm on Thursday March 4^th. This was different. I awakened at 3am the next morning with my left arm throbbing like it was going to fall off. I had a slight fever of 101, felt aches and pains all over and was extremely fatigued. These symptoms lasted most of the day. By 8am Saturday morning I felt fine. I have been told I am already 75 percent covered and in about 10 more days I will have 95 percent immunity from this dreaded Chinese Virus!

 

Because I am a senior citizen with diabetes I have been locked down for a year. I must admit to some depression and loneliness. Experiencing a failed romance with my 1^st girlfriend, who I reunited with in Palm Beach after the death of my wife, losing the Trump election, being isolated, concerned about survival, and a plethora of ordinary frustrations has been disconcerting for this old sailor. Thoughts of my wonderful wife Maria who died of cancer 7 years ago were constant. She was remarkable and the best there ever was. God I miss her terribly. Odd how sometimes you don’t appreciate someone until they are gone. That being said, I now intend to change things. I am going to start living again. I may get shot or killed by an irate husband or boyfriend, a crazy liberal, Antifa, or BLM, however, it doesn’t look like it will be the Coronavirus that will get me now that I am vaccinated! THANK YOU PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP!

 

I have to tell you, folks, I feel like I have completed a “Rite of Passage”. It has not been easy for me to actually get vaccinated. I tried everything and could not get an appointment. Some elderly folks I know waited over four hours at a football stadium and finally felt so bad from the experience, they gave up and went home. Others have jumped online and got an immediate appointment that was an easy, successful enterprise. I had to charm a hospital administrator to get mine. Indeed, the process, once I got hooked up, was a piece of cake, unlike some of the horror stories I have heard. Unbelievable, folks!

 

I have heard from friends, who have received the 2^nd dose of the vaccine, many stories about their experience afterward — from having to go to the hospital in an ambulance, mild symptoms like me, to nothing at all. Regardless, folks, I urge everyone to get vaccinated. This damn disease has killed more than 500,000 Americans. Not so sure the lockdowns have not contributed as well, however it can and does kill elderly people with pre-existing conditions.

 

It was and is not easy, in this free state of Florida, with our brilliant Governor DeSantis, to get vaccinated. Florida is a state where business is booming, schools are fully open, and Corona deaths are way down and below New York and California, where dictatorial lockdowns are still in effect. I can’t imagine how rough it has been on those of you who have had to live under the authoritarian regimes of stupid governors.

 

Folks, I think I am “free at last, free at last”, perhaps at least from the Chinese Plague. I am thankful to be alive, although extremely concerned about freedom overall in the coming socialism, disastrous restrictions, and conflicts that we will soon have to endure. Indeed folks, I am now fortified and ready for the battle. Love to hear from you.

 

Sincerely yours, 

JUDSON Bennett-Coastal Network

www.CoastalNetwork.com

In 1776, the Founding Fathers met in Philadelphia, just 30 miles north of Delaware, to draft the Declaration of Independence, proclaiming the fundamental right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Today, Delaware has abandoned the core principles enshrined in that document: lives are in danger, liberty is under attack, and happiness is at an all-time low. COVID-19 is the greatest public health crisis in American history. President Trump has shied away from federal mandates, allowing states and local governments to determine the policies best for their regions. In Delaware, Governor John Carney’s administration has propagated ineffective and shortsighted regulations that have done little to stop the spread of the virus, at a huge cost to the economy, mental health, and personal freedom At the beginning of the pandemic, Governor Carney issued a statewide mask mandate. This mandate failed to include any exemption for people with asthma, COPD, PTSD, or other conditions that prevent them from safely wearing a mask. New Hampshire, another East Coast state with a similar population to Delaware, did not have a mask mandate until November 20th, and yet has half as many positive coronavirus cases, and a third as many deaths. On March 21st, Governor Carney declared a State of Emergency, shutting down all non-essential businesses until June 1st. At the time, Delaware had less than 100 positive COVID-19 cases. Even with the shutdown, case numbers continued to climb before peaking in mid-April. The World Health Organization has since advocated against lockdowns, except when necessary to prevent overloading the medical system In retrospect, it seems unlikely that the healthcare system would have become overwhelmed, even without a lockdown. Sweden never fully locked down, and the healthcare system there remained below capacity. New York City, which experienced the highest number of coronavirus cases per capita in the United States early on in the pandemic, never ran out of ventilators. The State of Utah never instated a statewide lockdown, yet total deaths per capita remain less than one third as high as Delaware. Even if a shutdown had been necessary, it came with a great economic cost. Delaware expects to lose $749 million in projected tax revenue through March of next year. Small businesses across the country are suffering. Over 163,000 companies have closed nationwide, most of them permanently. In Delaware, the unemployment rate remains above 8%, over twice as high as this time last year. State leaders also did a poor job deciding which places to close during the shutdown. As part of the initial State of Emergency, the governor closed Delaware’s beaches. COVID-19 transmission rates are significantly lower outdoors than indoors, and beaches provide an ideal environment for social distancing. The order also limited churches to a 10-person capacity, and required pastors to wear a mask during their sermons. Congregants over 65 weren’t even allowed to attend church. Finally, after weeks of widespread public outcry and the threat of a lawsuit, the Governor lifted the most severe restrictions. Lockdowns also profoundly hurt mental health. Drug overdose deaths in Delaware are up 60% since last year. According to a report by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in June, 10% of those surveyed nationwide admitted to seriously considering suicide within the past 30 days. Overall, Delaware has done a very poor job of handling the coronavirus pandemic. Governor Carney could stand to learn from the less interventionist policies of Governor Herbert of Utah, or Governor Sununu of New Hampshire. Education on the importance of mask wearing and social distancing is more fair and effective than a heavy-handed regulatory approach.

Can the Government Shut Down Businesses in the Wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic?

To stem the COVID-19 spiral, the US Government shut down businesses, learning institutions, and places of worship and forced citizens to stay in their homes. As business remained crippled and the economy faced downtime, companies and individuals asked if the government has any right to actually shut down businesses. Below we discuss COVID-19 and the US constitution to determine if the government was in the right to call for closures across the country.

COVID-19 and the Constitution

To determine if the government has any right to set restrictions on business operations and force people to stay in their homes, we must take a close look at the link between the deadly virus and the constitution. The pandemic raised a host of constitutional issues, including the following:

• How the government can operate while adhering to social distancing;
• The interplay between federal and state governments in response to the crisis;
• How presidential powers may affect democratic forms in emergencies;
• Whether voting procedures would change in the face of the pandemic.   

Yes, But No Arbitrary Action

The government has the constitutional right to close down businesses in the face of a pandemic, or any emergency for that matter. However, it’s unlikely that the government will send out the military to ensure citizens are following all restrictions exactly. The declaration for the closure of businesses would have to stay within the precincts of the laws authorizing the edict.  Governors across the country have imposed various restrictions in the last 8 months based on the severity of case rate. Since the virus has been spreading rapidly in November, many governors, such as Governor Murphy of New Jersey, have put forth new restrictions and safety protocols for citizens. Some restrictions are more enforceable than others. For example, it’s easier to ensure restaurants and bars close at 10 p.m. than to make sure family members aren’t gathering in large groups indoors. The latter has caused friction between many individuals who have chosen not to comply with specific gathering measures.

Preventing Abuse of Power

The separation of our government entities into three branches is to prevent the possible abuse of power. Because of this, governors cannot do whatever they please, even if their actions are in the best interests of the people.  For example, when Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer extended stay-at-home orders in the spring, Republican legislators introduced a bill to strip her of certain powers, causing some of her restrictions to be ruled back in the state. Yet emergencies, such as the pandemic, allow for flexibility in statutory powers.  Other examples of state’s of emergency include hurricanes and snowstorms, where governors are given the ability to call on police to redirect traffic, free up funds earmarked for emergencies, and call on the National Guard to help.     

The Bottom Line

The government has the right to shut down businesses and quarantine citizens in the process for the safety, welfare, and health of the people. Companies and businesses should take appropriate measures to comply with government directives. However, they can mitigate the impact of executive orders by checking if they have insurance coverage for business interruptions resulting from the state closure of their firms.    OPINION

Dear Friends,

If Joe Biden prevails and the massive fraud on the American Presidential election is allowed to stand, folks you are going to see drastic changes in your lives that are unprecedented. The Pandemic, in my opinion, created and unleashed by the Communist Chinese, financially connected to Joe Biden and his son Hunter, regardless of the outcome of the Georgia Senate elections, will and has been used as a tool to control our lives.

Indeed, the Coronavirus is dangerous, however, as the fatality rate is very small and only those who are elderly or have pre-existing conditions have to be concerned. I am diabetic and I have to be more careful. I personally take that responsibility, as we all should.

However, to literally put people out of business, by inhibiting, restricting, and limiting production and sales because of the Coronavirus is beyond absurd. That is exactly what is happening in Delaware where the officious and wrongful priority by a Governor, to literally destroy people’s incomes, because of a controversial opinion of a few scientists, is in my view criminal.

Lockdowns do not stop the virus. As soon as the lockdown is lifted, it comes right back! A vaccine, which is apparently imminent, hopefully will solve the problem of the recent boost in actual cases. Until then, it gives Governor John Carney another excuse to institute his dictatorial authority.

Delaware, with all of its corruption (The Delaware Way, including every aspect of the 3 branches of government, especially the Chancery Court) is and will continue to be a microcosm of Joe Biden’s insidious experiment. For all intents and purposes, John Carney is a pupil of Joe Biden’s and his failed government was only reelected because the whole Biden scenario is so entrenched with the New Castle County Blacks, Union laborers, and unemployed liberals, that regardless of devastating Delaware’s economy, the Delawareans blindly follow Carney into financial destitution under the guise that it is a real emergency.

The business people who have been crushed by Carney’s prohibitions and probably will go completely under once Carney’s new restrictions take hold, have some disturbing things to say. Unfortunately, people who own businesses are in a huge minority in liberal Delaware, and will always be usurped by the left-wing mob. This left-wing Democrat state, that makes 1/3 of its income from the franchise taxes from incorporations, ironically is one of the most business-unfriendly states in America.

As always your comments are welcome and appreciated. God bless America!

Respectfully yours,

JUDSON Bennett-Coastal Network

• Indoor gatherings in homes must be capped at no more than 10 people.
• Indoor gatherings outside of homes must be limited to 30 percent of the venue’s stated fire capacity, up to a cap of 50 people. This includes all events, such as weddings, funerals, services in houses of worship, performances, political gatherings, and events in public spaces including fire halls.
• Outdoor public gatherings are limited to 50 people. Up to 250 may be allowed with a plan approved by the Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH).
• Restaurants must operate at no more than 30 percent of fire capacity indoors, with allowances for additional outdoor seating. The limit had been 60 percent.
• Barring Delaware youth sports organizations, teams and venues from hosting or participating in tournaments with out-of-state teams, effective at 8 a.m. on Tuesday, December 1. The order includes a provision prohibiting Delaware teams from traveling across states lines for tournaments.

How the Private Sector Can Get Us Back to Work Amidst the Pandemic

As we head into fall, many Americans are still uncertain about COVID-19 risks around the country—especially, for some, the risks that come with a return to school, although schools across the country have provided both virtual and in-person learning options. The US has led the world in COVID-19 cases and resulting deaths in the last few months, due in part to a lackluster state and federal response to the virus. The key to getting back to work lies in the private sector. 

The U.S. Government’s Response to COVID-19

In a time where the federal government should be providing direction, it instead lacked leadership and provided a poorly organized response to the pandemic. Even in March, it was clear that the government’s response featured failures of judgement and inaction that inevitably cost the lives of Americans. Though the federal government certainly can’t be expected to do everything to protect us, it should provide guidance to states, local governments and private businesses. As pandemic responses have largely been left up to state governments, the country has seen waves of cases regionally—first, raging on the East Coast and throughout the midwest; now flaring up on the West Coast and in the South.  Additionally, a lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) left frontline workers vulnerable to the virus. Without supplies from the federal government, states were left bidding against each other for PPE and other medical supplies. With the federal government and state governments buying from the same supply chain, resources ran out quickly. This is where the private sector came in—when President Trump enacted the Defense Production Act, private market manufacturers were compelled to ramp up production of PPE. This act is a great example of enabling the private sector to both thrive and help the nation overcome this pandemic. At the start of the pandemic, the federal government’s regulation of testing left out the private sector, an important asset that has led to innovative solutions and an increase in testing in recent months. 

The Benefits of the Private Sector During COVID-19

In addition to providing another helping hand in a dire situation, local businesses know their communities best. Providing funding and resources to the private sector enables them to identify the local risk level and needs of residents in their region. Supporting the private sector also creates and keeps jobs—something that’s so critical in a time of historic unemployment.  Investing in the private sector also encourages an all-hands-on-deck mentality, where diverse groups of employees can tap into their innovation and creativity to contribute to solutions. The private sector can do a more efficient job in monitoring virus spread and helping Americans evaluate risk—with the help of a federal government that provides infrastructure and the funds needed to succeed.  Gerald Commissiong, CEO of Todos Medical, a company focused on COVID-19 screening and diagnosis, commented “By taking the federal government out of the equation and leaving testing up to the private sector, we can perform a much more efficient job by removing politics and sticking to what really matters; science and business. America is founded on capitalism, so why not revert to what we do best? Adapt and overcome obstacles through innovation, not from the elected officials, but from industry professionals who have dedicated their careers to studying disease testing and control.”

Getting Americans Back to Work 

Returning to the office and bringing back jobs that were lost as the pandemic shut down the country is reliant on our government’s support of the private sector. With the ability to ramp up testing, provide crucial PPE equipment and conduct research that could lead to a vaccine, the private sector is in a position to lead the US response to the virus. Even as employers bring employees back into an office setting, the private sector can provide the tools to make it a smooth transition—thermometers, masks, and cleaning supplies, all of which will be necessary to keep offices and schools safe. 

Coastal Network

The Coastal Network is an outlet committed to providing a voice against corruption and advocating for transparency in the Delaware court system, business world and beyond. For more on corruption in the United States, including the Delaware Court system, visit www.coastalnetwork.com

There’s no question that combating COVID-19 is an extremely difficult task from all angles. The Virus is an invisible threat with no clear guidelines on how to be dealt with; but that does not mean we have to make a complicated situation more difficult. Based on the government’s response, testing demand, and projected timelines, we must put more focus on allowing the private sector to get involved, and most importantly the smaller local labs that can meet the local demand. It is becoming clear that US governments are incapable of efficiently administering testing at the scale needed, as well as maintaining a safe environment for all citizens, which is in large part due to reliance on outdated testing strategies and a non-integrated systems that do not address the needs of the country as a whole, or individual communities. There is a huge opportunity to fill this void with state-of-the-art testing products, strategies and equipment, combined with a local approach that understands the communities being engaged, to deliver tailored testing solutions to allow policy makers and employers to re-open with confidence. By taking the federal government out of the equation and leaving testing up to the private sector, we can perform a much more efficient job by removing politics and sticking to what really matters; science and business. America is founded on capitalism, so why not revert to what we do best? Adapt and overcome obstacles through innovation, not from the elected officials, but from industry professionals who have dedicated their careers to studying disease testing and control. As CEO of Todos Medical, I’ve been able to work with a team that is focused on the distribution of a comprehensive suite of solutions for the screening and diagnosis of COVID-19 and the development of blood tests for the early detection of cancer and Alzheimer’s disease. What I’ve learned is that there are a handful of companies with highly collaborative, like minded professionals who are working around the clock to transition from disciplines like cancer testing to find optimal solutions for COVID-19. What I’d like to see is more encouragement from the government to leave testing deployment to multidisciplinary collaborative companies who are working together to make big gains in scaling the testing process to match the demand we have here in the United States. Governments should stay focused on what they are best at: paying for solutions that work. Private industry should stay focused on developing innovative solutions that reduce costs and improve outcomes. There is no question that unlike the cost of most diseases, COVID-19’s costs must account for overall economic costs, so that the solutions developed can address the outcomes required to open the economy again. The private sector can do this if government provides the needed infrastructure funding needed to increase lab capacity, and cuts the red tape stopping common sense solutions from being implement. As pool testing becomes the testing method of choice over the summer for the needed asymptomatic (COVID+ & COVID-), we must integrate this into our strategy. We must now marry the information we have learned over the last 6-8 months about COVID-19 with concrete actionable plans that address the bottlenecks required to make people feel safe. There will be risks with every plan, however a plan that systematically reduces risks in a stepwise fashion and isolates those risks so the Virus can be contained is what must emerge. Together with our partners at Meridian Health and Moto Para, we are able to bring such plans to the marketplace expeditiously. Gerald Commissiong is CEO of Todos Medical. He is currently a director, President & CEO of Amarantus Bioscience Holdings, Inc. and is interim-CEO of Breakthrough Diagnostics, Inc., Todos’ joint venture with Amarantus. This story was originally published in Black Star NewsOPINION Dear Friends, I awoke this morning to the distressing news that yesterday we had 10,000 new cases of Coronavirus in Florida in one day. Folks I live in Palm Beach, it is a beautiful paradise, and people are terrified. I rode my bike along the inner-coastal at 7 a.m. this morning, cruising by majestic Palm trees and gorgeous, colorful gardens. Every so often I would pass a walker, jogger, or another biker — all masked — and as we met up, they would turn their heads, but not before I could see the fear in their eyes. Everybody is wondering, “Could she have it, could he?” The virus is everywhere here, and finally this time people are beginning to take it seriously. This old warrior is diabetic and that combined with 3 months of isolation, listening and watching our country turn into anarchy, has frankly got me on edge. We are all in the same boat, however, this pandemic is terribly disconcerting and I don’t want it! Interestingly, a month ago, Florida was the pristine state. The virus was under control, and all the indicators were it would be safe to reopen the closed economy, including bars, restaurants, beaches, gyms, and so on. This was allowed under the condition that people would engage in social distancing and wear masks. Unfortunately, many people took the reopening by Florida’s positive Governor to mean, “Let the party begin!” The virus was still lurking, as the bars opened in full swing. Absolutely no social distancing — NONE! The beaches looked like anthills with folks snugged together. The virus spread like wildfire! The protests we had in south Florida did not help either. As far as I am concerned, Governor DeSantis did the right thing in opening the state. The people did the wrong thing in not following the rules. We cannot stay isolated. Our businesses must be open. Until there is a vaccine, business and the pandemic must coexist. Poverty will kill us faster than the virus. Therefore with some minor, logical regulations, DeSantis is determined to keep it all going. Additionally, Florida schools will be opening in the fall. Right now, the bars are again closed and there is no indoor dining. Masks are now mandatory in public! Folks here is the bottom line, we have got to open our businesses and we have to send our children back to school. At the same time, we have to avoid close contact and wear masks. Washing hands, vitamins, zinc, constant vigilance are all extremely important. Guys like me with diabetes, have to be extra careful. Please stay safe, I pray for better days. God bless America! Respectfully yours, JUDSON Bennett-Coastal Network