By: Ted Dabrowski and John Klingner
The COVID pandemic has certainly proven the veracity of the old quote: lies, damn lies and statistics. The data can easily be twisted to justify all kinds of mandates and restrictions.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker justified his new mask mandate for all Illinois school children last week based partially on statistics presented by IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. Her data indicated that COVID was a rising danger to children:
“In January of this year, about 5.5 percent of the cases were among those younger than 10 years of age. Last month that increased to nearly 15 percent. Similarly, 13 percent of cases in January were among those 10 to 19 years, and in July, that increased to 23 percent. We are seeing the same trend for hospitalizations…”
To understand how the data can be manipulated, let’s just follow Dr. Ezike’s first set of facts – that cases for those younger than 10 have seen their caseload jump from 5.5 percent in January to 15 percent of all Illinois cases in July.
That’s a near tripling in cases when analyzed in percentage terms, and certainly attention getting for any parent.
But when we strip down the percentages into raw case numbers, it’s an entirely different story.
There were a total of 163,000 new COVID cases across all ages in January, as reported by IDPH. Based on Ezike’s 5.5 percent case total for the under-10 age group, that means about 9,000 cases.
But in July – the month Eizke says is worrisome – Illinois recorded only 27,000 total COVID cases for all age groups. Using her 15 percent statistic for the under-10 age group, that means a little over 4,000 cases for those kids – less than half of the January total.
So in presenting the numbers, Dr. Ezike left viewers of the press conference with the feeling that cases for young children had tripled, when in fact, based on the raw numbers, the actual case numbers had fallen by nearly 5,000.
The same analysis holds true for the other case and hospitalization numbers Ezike presented.
That’s not to say that the Delta variant shouldn’t be watched and considered a concern. But state officials – who the public should be able to trust – shouldn’t resort to distorted facts to justify their COVID restrictions.
The reality is the case numbers for Illinois’ children are far better now than they were half a year ago. That should be a cause for relief, not alarm. And that reality certainly doesn’t justify the unnecessary harm that will be inflicted on kids from the state’s mask mandate.
Read more about the COVID pandemic here in Illinois:
A largely unasked question is becoming glaring: Is Illinois doing all it should to use artificial intelligence to make government cost less and work better? So far, the evidence says no.
Audio and summary 
If this bill passes, say goodbye to local control over all Illinois parks and expect to see open drug and alcohol use, needles, no sanitation and fire hazards, but no ordinary park users.
https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/cdc-forced-adjust-sundays-florida-covid-case-count-lower-almost-50-after-state-health
The CDC are serial liars, as are anyone who parrot their statistics.
The propaganda and outright disregard many of our countrymen have for law and medicine is disgusting.
Sixty percent of the time, it works every time.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/global-covid-19/shielding-approach-humanitarian.html
What say you, Covidians?
What did I hear them called…vaxentration camps
Perhaps I missed it, but when you reached out to her office what was the response? Journalism doesn’t end once you’ve posted the story.
Cuomo just resigned, Newsom is next. When are we going to impeach Pritzker?
I appreciate all that Wirepoints has done in many other areas of Illinois governance that are in dire need of reforms. But I think you’re off the mark here. Even if the raw numbers are lower now, we are not yet at the peak of this Delta variant surge, and pediatric hospitals are already filling up across the South where there is more spread. These facilities are badly needed and relied upon by families to be available when children become very ill. Delta spread is largely uncontrolled already, is extremely contagious/high R0, and may cause more severe disease among vulnerable… Read more »
Andrew, I don’t think we should ignore the Delta variant. But if it’s true what you are saying, then we need the governments to start releasing data fully and honestly. Ezike’s “tripling” of the data, when in fact the raw numbers she presented are down by half, doesn’t inspire any trust whatsoever. Let’s see the actual data by age, by hospitalization, vaccinated or not, symptomatic or not, etc., etc., etc. Comorbidities? Same for the case data. Same for the death data. Until then, we are all blind and at the mercy of whatever their agenda is. And our emotions are… Read more »
The kids! Get jabbed for the kids! The jab is the only way out!
>99% survival rate without cormidities. Inflated numbers from suspect tests, and you’re still overthinking this.
Meanwhile, the gov gets more authoritarian, and y’all are cheering them on.
It is a seasonal respiratory virus which does not affect healthy people. Tell everyone you know, it’s really this basic. There is nothing we can do, and if people are afraid, let them stay home all alone. A free society should advise appropriately and let people decide, especially when invisible nothing burgers are the game.
What variant?? I want to see the actual paperwork from the “scientist(s)” that isolated the coronavirus. When the paperwork has been requested and/or subpoenaed 100% of the responses have been: we do not have the information. If coronavirus has NOT been isolated; then there is NO virus & thusly NO variant(s). THEREFORE!! Coronavirus is a HOAX. AND YES!! I do have multiple videos attesting to that fact. Here is just one of the videos. — https://www.bitchute.com/video/euMT6jUwXhym/?fbclid=IwAR1zVYznopsYU5XDMzldC30fOJBkqBckCvu4IpOrW5DWZ66BejfvPvCvYl0
This type of manipulation of information is precisely why the level of distrust of “science” is rising rapidly. I’ll admit that my initial reaction to anything coming out of Gov. Toilets’ office is skepticism, but this latest announcement raises the skepticism to incredulity.
Figures don’t lie, but liars can figure.
I have been saying all along, you can make any numbers look good or bad depending on what your narrative is, especially percentages, they need to provide raw numbers but that does not fit their narrative. I am so over this and will not listen to any of these people again and will never wear a mask again
Figures lie…
And liars figure…
Thank you Wirepoints for reporting on this sleight of hand by our ruling elites…
Shouldn’t this be reported to some entity as *misinformation* on covid…?
Nobody cares what they say.
Why should we listen to government officials when they distort data to fit a Governors political narrative?
Look to the daily updates thread to see what we’re up against.
A few individuals have been blogging on the comments nonstop, wasting precious brain power to overthink something with a >99% survival rate for those without existing issues.
Not saying they’re the majority, just pointing out the mindset. Far too many lack the imagination needed to picture anything other than an authoritarian hell.
She didn’t tell the truth about pediatric hospitalizations either https://twitter.com/ewoodhouse7/status/1424910549054275594?s=21
Same administration that often followed the lead of one governor that should be impeached and another that should be recalled. They are not free thinkers. They are followers. Always have been, always will be.
Puppets
My boss, the owner of the company, loves to talk about profit percent on each part that we make. He brags on parts that have 70% profit margin. The sales on these parts are only 10k per year. I can’t seem to get him to understand that our monthly bills are paid in actual $$, not profit %. I’ll take a lower % but higher $$ every time.
There needs to be an ability to RECALL a governor by voters. If there are no repercussions, IL will never change! Add it along with term limits!
yea,good luck,the mopes in Chicago want their “free” stuff
Chicago is the biggest obstacle to Illinois voters who want change.
Another link for when the Tech giants silence informed dissent.
https://hancockcountypatriots.blogspot.com/2021/08/dr-dan-stocks-presentation-to-mt-vernon.html
Spread the news. There are sane, informed people fighting back. Best we can do is wake up more sheep.
The ruling class will not let up on tyranny unless forced.
https://youtu.be/_9KnhUu7Ba4
too many sheep,not enough wolves
Too many sheep and too many wolves.
Better: too many sheep and not enough sheep dogs to keep them safe.
Good find absolutely fantastic
According to Oswego Willie
>>>You don’t get vaccinated and spread a global virus, that effects me”<<<
Yet if Willie was vaccinated why would someone else’s status cause concern unless the vaccine didn’t work?
Awaiting on your answer Oswego Willie…
I should add I tried to post this at Capitolfax…but as always the usual…
covid covid,covid,covid-jesus christ people,get over this fake pandemic!!-oh yea,covid ,covid,covid,covid,covid-lol,what a freaking joke!!
Covid-covid-covid/Spam-Spam-Spam/Yada-Yada-Yada-Yoda-Yoda-Yoda. Which is your favorite? I know mine -short version last line. Do you have anything without Covid in it?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=duFierM1yDg
nope,just more covid talk,covid over rides EVERYTHING!-sooo,lets talk about covid!-covid,covid,covid,covid
I know. It’s beyond insanity. Now it’s Variants. It will never end unless we get rid of the Greek Alphabet. I try to tune out and minimize the news.
As long as its useful in scaring people, it will never end…
Didn’t the shutdown in IL start on Pi day? We have a long way to go!