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Berlin halts 'anti-corona' rally as European cities protest masks

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By Isabelle LE PAGE

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52 Comments

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And this is why masks are not necessary.

Sweden did fine without them.

In the US it explicitly states that madks do not prevent you from getting c19.

But ultimately, here is an article by ny times ststing what free thinkers have known all along.

" According to The New York Times, potentially 90 percent of those who have tested positive for COVID-19 have such insignificant amounts of the virus present in their bodies that such individuals do not need to isolate nor are they candidates for contact tracing. Leading public health experts are now concerned that overtesting is responsible for misdiagnosing a huge number of people with harmless amounts of the virus in their systems.

"Most of these people are not likely to be contagious, and identifying them may contribute to bottlenecks that prevent those who are contagious from being found in time," warns The Times."

-4 ( +2 / -6 )

The idiocracy pandemic appears to be returning to "the Reich". It seems even the Germans are not immune to reinfection, but there is no cause for alarm because Germany carries more "anti-bodies" than most other societies that think "it can't happen here".

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Good to see people getting out and protesting the lockdowns nonsense. It needs to happen more often

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

People not willing to conform is not idiocy, it’s deciding to not fall for the COVID lockdown ideology.

-2 ( +3 / -5 )

Yep. Very common, for all demographics. But also favored by neo-nazis.

And most “neo nazis” just have regular haircuts, so whats your point?

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

Not odd, at all. There's a huge problem with the resurgence of the far right and neo-nazis in Germany and yes, the skinhead look is still a thing.

Somebody better tell Michael Stype, Sinead Occonor, and about a thousand other enterainers.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Ooooh, lookie! Germany has idiots too!

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

What decade are you living in? Shaved heads are extremely common these days and do not signify political or ideological allegiance - they havent for a long time.

Yep. Very common, for all demographics. But also favored by neo-nazis.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Yes and although sad, since I was a teenager we have had a very long and complicated problem with assimilation and integration problems, so I understand, don't agree, but I understand the anger and shift to the right.

"Angry" Germans are not too dissimilar to the "deplorables" of Trump's America. The same demographic constituency which has been exploited, neglected and left behind in the wake of the dog-eat-dog social engineering characteristic of 21st century finance capitalism and its handmaiden, "globalization". The demonstrations in Berlin and elsewhere , ostensibly against heavy-handed government covid restrictions, also mask and conceal deep-seated grievances over a myriad of issues affecting the livelihood and mental health of the "Forgotten Man". Ausgezeichnet, not!

2 ( +5 / -3 )

odd to mention hairstyle in this "article".

Not odd, at all. There's a huge problem with the resurgence of the far right and neo-nazis in Germany and yes, the skinhead look is still a thing.

What decade are you living in? Shaved heads are extremely common these days and do not signify political or ideological allegiance - they havent for a long time.

-5 ( +1 / -6 )

The rally is about government overreach and has nothing to do with "far right", to the contrary.

But the media have to get their spin in.

-8 ( +1 / -9 )

It seems odd that with the number of people expected that anyone could think social distancing rules could be followed in the space allotted. Hmmm. Maybe the idea was to reverse course enough times the confusion would deter the protestors? First they said no. Then they said ok. Then they said no again as it was happening. Could have been the plan from the first "no" because saying no to protest was encouraging protest wasn't it?

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@ Peter Neil

There are 5 billion more people on the planet than when I was born. If 20% are ignorant/stupid, that means there are 1,000,000,000 more dummies walking around out there. It's quite evident by just taking a walk, or a stroll through the comments of some, uh, news sites on the Internet?

A frightening yet sobering statistic that supports Frank Zappa's sardonic comment: There is more stupidity than hydrogen in the universe, and it has a longer shelf life.

This new corona virus will have found then its perfect host in homo "sapiens".

4 ( +5 / -1 )

Not odd, at all. There's a huge problem with the resurgence of the far right and neo-nazis in Germany and yes, the skinhead look is still a thing.

Yes and although sad, since I was a teenager we have had a very long and complicated problem with assimilation and integration problems, so I understand, don't agree, but I understand the anger and shift to the right.

-10 ( +0 / -10 )

I guess this is to balance the equation for the BLM protests. Last time I saw, BLM protests didn't contribute to the rise in COVID infections. I saw many didn't wear mask and they're still A ok and protesting hard. Corona virus can be very picky and has particular criteria for the chosen ones I suppose. The experts still can't figure it out yet.

4 ( +6 / -2 )

Surely you don’t applaud the Q-Anon,

I don't applaud them or BLM, Antifa etc

-10 ( +1 / -11 )

Europe needs to learn from America on why you shouldn't boycott or protest against wearing masks.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

Ok, Uh-huh, as I said, I wish I was there yesterday, I applaud these people

Surely you don’t applaud the Q-Anon, Bill Gates conspiracy theorists, anti-Vaxxers and Neo-Nazi types here.

6 ( +8 / -2 )

Yes, you said you wished you could attend yesterday's covid-fest in Berlin.

Yes

If wearing a mask, washing your hands, observing social distancing and having the common courtesy to your fellow humans is oppressing you - you should start a protest yourself.

Ok, Uh-huh, as I said, I wish I was there yesterday, I applaud these people.

-11 ( +1 / -12 )

odd to mention hairstyle in this "article".

Not odd, at all. There's a huge problem with the resurgence of the far right and neo-nazis in Germany and yes, the skinhead look is still a thing.

Why people more concerned about hairstyles than corona. Fancy that.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Someone tell the rioters in the US that, obviously they aren’t getting the message.

This is about Berlin, not the US or Belarus. And a revolution isn't the same as a gathering of conspiracy theorists.

I care that people are finally waking up to this oppressive garbage.

Yes, you said you wished you could attend yesterday's covid-fest in Berlin. If wearing a mask, washing your hands, observing social distancing and having the common courtesy to your fellow humans is oppressing you - you should start a protest yourself.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Democratic freedoms are extremely important and we should fight to protect them.

However, spreading germs, like pissing in the street, is not a freedom issue. Politicizing hyper-trivial issues like mask wearing actually undermines democracy, which cannot operate without consensus.

3 ( +4 / -1 )

Far right, Putin lovers, flat earthers, no maskers of the world, unite!

5 ( +7 / -2 )

Germans are more likely to say, "blöde Hunde!"

No, Only in an old stereo typical WWII movie.

-16 ( +0 / -16 )

However, with Q-Anon placards, Bill Gates conspiracy theorists, US flags with images of Trump on them and MAGA signs among the crowd, as well as lots of Neo-Nazis

I saw those images. Really depressing. This rally got the less intelligent types out of their basements. Hope they boosted their vitamin D levels

It seems nowadays that if a demo /rally has a cause thats currently ' politically correct' it will be allowed to go ahead , otherwise not.

Its not political correctness, its whether or not your protest will abide by public health rules. They allowed a BLM protest in Berlin a couple months ago because the marchers were wearing masks, etc. 

Unsurprisingly the protestors at this one weren’t, so they got shut down even after their protest was allowed to proceed

As far as I know, this is factual, and only reason I can see to thumb it down is that some people believe it isn’t. Please set us straight with the facts. No conspiracy theories please.

5 ( +7 / -2 )

I care that people are finally waking up to this oppressive garbage. Or like we say in German: Ausgezeichnet!

Germans are more likely to say, "blöde Hunde!"

1 ( +3 / -2 )

Viruses thrive on human folly. The Dance of Death will assuredly continue throughout the winter months until the revelers sober up to the reality of this pandemic, stay home and wait for the vaccine.

0 ( +7 / -7 )

odd to mention hairstyle in this "article".

1 ( +6 / -5 )

It seems nowadays that if a demo /rally has a cause thats currently ' politically correct' it will be allowed to go ahead , otherwise not.

Its not political correctness, its whether or not your protest will abide by public health rules. They allowed a BLM protest in Berlin a couple months ago because the marchers were wearing masks, etc.

Unsurprisingly the protestors at this one weren’t, so they got shut down even after their protest was allowed to proceed.

-1 ( +7 / -8 )

Good on Berlin!

4 ( +8 / -4 )

Someone tell Trump supporters that gather for his monster truck rallies that, obviously they aren’t getting the message.

In Germany? What, huh?

Nobody claimed this.

They don’t have to, their actions speak volumes.

Well, as you said yesterday, the virus is a hoax and the entire health care community is part of a conspiracy, so what do you care. See below:

I care that people are finally waking up to this oppressive garbage. Or like we say in German: Ausgezeichnet!

-8 ( +6 / -14 )

But the fact that we have such ignorant people in today’s Information Age is surprising.

I understand, but I'm not surprised much anymore.

There are 5 billion more people on the planet than when I was born. If 20% are ignorant/stupid, that means there are 1,000,000,000 more dummies walking around out there. It's quite evident by just taking a walk, or a stroll through the comments of some, uh, news sites on the Internet?

4 ( +9 / -5 )

Someone tell the rioters in the US that, obviously they aren’t getting the message. 

Well, as you said yesterday, the virus is a hoax and the entire health care community is part of a conspiracy, so what do you care. See below:

--you would rather believe that the whole community of health care officials, doctors, nurses, politicians are all in a big conspiracy and that the pandemic is some big hoax.

Yup!

3 ( +9 / -6 )

The extreme right wing has always been against education , they probably take inspiration from the medieval religious fanatics who rejected science.

But the fact that we have such ignorant people in today’s Information Age is surprising.

4 ( +11 / -7 )

Even the Deputy Chief Medical Officer of the UK doubts the effectiveness of masks.

-3 ( +6 / -9 )

The number of cases should not be a concern, the number of fatalities should be...

Once again, you are wrong.

Dead wrong.

According to the Mayo Clinic, the list of lingering maladies from COVID-19 is longer and more varied than most doctors could have imagined. Ongoing problems include fatigue, a racing heartbeat, shortness of breath, achy joints, foggy thinking, a persistent loss of sense of smell, and damage to the heart, lungs, kidneys, and brain.

This includes people of all ages with what would be considered mild symptoms.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

Who knows what the most effective way to contain the virus is, but I doubt anyone able to reason beyond a spoiled 10 year old would think large gatherings like this would be a good thing to do while the virus is still spreading.

Someone tell the rioters in the US that, obviously they aren’t getting the message. 

Worrying that among the marchers were so many far rightists, many lauding Trump and Putin, even some nazis.

Ok, so anyone that’s wising up to the lockdown farce is a Nazi, gotcha!

-6 ( +8 / -14 )

"I'm not an extreme right-wing sympathiser, I'm here to defend our fundamental freedoms," said Stefan, a 43-year-old Berlin resident with a shaved head

Typically slanted reporting. We get it, a shaved head makes him a neo-Nazi, right? At least he is not sheared, like so many others.

1 ( +10 / -9 )

Sections of the community have lost confidence and faith in Government. Lack of trust leads to paranoia that could result in violent confrontation and civil disturbance.

Protesters, some waving placards stating "Stop the lies", were quickly surrounded by police who handed out 135-euro ($160) fines to those not wearing masks. "There is no scientific proof of the usefulness of wearing a mask outside," said Anais, a sociology student."Covid-19 is not so dangerous, it mainly kills people over the age of 60."

Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik, doesn’t seem to comprehend that attempting to clear an area,” very quickly” could lead to mass panic thus increase  the prospect of spreading the pandemic.  

Berlin police chief Barbara Slowik had warned that if the demonstrators did not adhere to virus safety rules, police would clear the area "very quickly".

"We will not be able or willing to watch tens of thousands assemble and create infection risks," she said.

Berlin city authorities had previously decided not to allow the Saturday demonstration to go ahead, fearing that the estimated 22,000 protesters would not keep a distance of 1.5 metres (five feet) apart or comply with face mask requirements.

4 ( +7 / -3 )

It seems that less than 1% of people with the virus actually die.

However, the state response to the virus in many countries has been excessive.

The number of cases should not be a concern, the number of fatalities should be...

3 ( +15 / -12 )

The Stupids got cancelled.

The stupid will be upset!!!

4 ( +11 / -7 )

"Covid-19 is not so dangerous, it mainly kills people over the age of 60."

In other words, it is dangerous, if you are over 60.

Like a lot of inconsiderate children, she cannot understand that not spreading the disease might prevent the elderly from catching it and dying. Is it really that big an inconvenience?

"There is no scientific proof of the usefulness of wearing a mask outside," said Anais, a sociology student.

A sociology student expressing views common on the right? This is going to confuse a lot. Shouldn't she be out fighting for cancel culture?

12 ( +13 / -1 )

I think the writer is pointing that his shaved head is not working properly in the hot sun.

10 ( +16 / -6 )

Why is it important to mentioned that he had a shaved head? To give the readers the thought that this guy can be a Neo-Nazi?

Exactly what I thought too.

He probably is one though.

9 ( +15 / -6 )

43-year-old Berlin resident with a shaved head

Why is it important to mentioned that he had a shaved head?

To give the readers the thought that this guy can be a Neo-Nazi?

That is very "cheap" from the writer of this article.

-2 ( +14 / -16 )

Who knows what the most effective way to contain the virus is, but I doubt anyone able to reason beyond a spoiled 10 year old would think large gatherings like this would be a good thing to do while the virus is still spreading.

Worrying that among the marchers were so many far rightists, many lauding Trump and Putin, even some nazis. I'm trying to understand why those three would be connected. hmmm

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-53959552

3 ( +15 / -12 )

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