YouTube has taken down a video of two doctors from Bakersfield, California, who held a press conference calling for the reopening of the country. According to the Google-owned video platform, the doctors “violated community guidelines.”
The doctors, Dan Erickson and Artin Massihi, operate out of an urgent care clinic in Bakersfield. Citing fatality statistics in California, the doctors argued that the Chinese virus has proven less deadly than anticipated.
“We have 39.5 million people, if we just take a basic calculation and extrapolate that out, that equates to about 4.7 million cases throughout the state of California,” said Dr. Erickson. “Which means this thing is widespread, that’s the good news. We’ve seen 1,227 deaths in the state of California with a possible incidents or prevalence of 4.7 million. That means you have a 0.03 chance of dying from COVID-19 in the state of California.”
The doctors made their case in a 50-minute press conference, which was uploaded to YouTube. The Google-owned video platform has since taken the video down, replacing it with a message stating that the content violated its community guidelines.
Iran begins Khamenei’s funeral 126 days after assassination
July 1776 Copy of Declaration of Independence Discovered Outside US in Foreign Navy Captain’s Papers
WATCH – Charlie Kirk’s Final July 4 Message: ‘Why America Is a Christian Nation’
Thune and Trump share friendly greeting after critical clashes
Top Trump official touts how DC makeover is proof America is rejecting ‘decline by choice’
Pro-Trump artist unleashes powerful message about American flag, touts massive Old Glory painting
House Dems dodge questions on SCOTUS trans athlete ruling, shift blame to ‘culture wars’
Al Green responds to July 4 question with renewed call to impeach Trump
Trump hails America as ‘most exceptional nation ever to exist’ in Mount Rushmore speech
Trump warns of ‘resurgence of the Communist menace’ during Mount Rushmore America 250 speech
Mamdani Trashes USA on Eve of July 4th as Land of Inequality, Racial Bias
WATCH LIVE: Trump gives Independence Day eve speech at Mount Rushmore
Fourth of July app guides spectators through nine-hour air show from NASA jets to B-1 bombers
Three dead, 7 rescued in boating tragedy as severe holiday weekend storm ravages Wisconsin tourist hot spot
US Coast Guard saves 8, including infant and child, after vessel capsizes off Fort Myers Beach
23ABC News Bakersfield, the news station that uploaded the video, confirmed that the first part of the press conference is no longer available on YouTube. The news station said it has submitted an appeal to YouTube but has yet to hear back.
In the video, which has been reuploaded to other channels as well as to other video-hosting platforms, Dr. Erickson said that the focus on the coronavirus was drawing medical resources away from other urgent problems.
The Second part of the briefing is still available on the 23ABC News Bakerfield account:
“When I talk to E.R. physicians around the country, what’s happening? Well because COVID has become the focus, people with heart disease, people with cancer, hypertension, and various things that are critical are choosing not to come in based on fear. So what that’s doing is forcing the healthcare system to focus on COVID and not focus on a myriad of other things that are critical.”
Iran begins Khamenei’s funeral 126 days after assassination
July 1776 Copy of Declaration of Independence Discovered Outside US in Foreign Navy Captain’s Papers
WATCH – Charlie Kirk’s Final July 4 Message: ‘Why America Is a Christian Nation’
Thune and Trump share friendly greeting after critical clashes
Top Trump official touts how DC makeover is proof America is rejecting ‘decline by choice’
Pro-Trump artist unleashes powerful message about American flag, touts massive Old Glory painting
House Dems dodge questions on SCOTUS trans athlete ruling, shift blame to ‘culture wars’
Al Green responds to July 4 question with renewed call to impeach Trump
Trump hails America as ‘most exceptional nation ever to exist’ in Mount Rushmore speech
Trump warns of ‘resurgence of the Communist menace’ during Mount Rushmore America 250 speech
Mamdani Trashes USA on Eve of July 4th as Land of Inequality, Racial Bias
WATCH LIVE: Trump gives Independence Day eve speech at Mount Rushmore
Fourth of July app guides spectators through nine-hour air show from NASA jets to B-1 bombers
Three dead, 7 rescued in boating tragedy as severe holiday weekend storm ravages Wisconsin tourist hot spot
US Coast Guard saves 8, including infant and child, after vessel capsizes off Fort Myers Beach
The doctors’ comments have been criticized by the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM).
“The American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) and the American Academy of Emergency Medicine (AAEM) jointly and emphatically condemn the recent opinions released by Dr. Daniel Erickson and Dr. Artin Massihi. These reckless and untested musings do not speak for medical societies and are inconsistent with current science and epidemiology regarding COVID-19.”
Story cited here.
