The President's Daily Brief - August 12th, 2022. CDC Removes COVID Restrictions. Ukraine Government Orders Citizens to Purchase More Weapons.

Episode Date: August 12, 2022

It’s August 12th. You’re listening to the President’s Daily Brief. Your morning intel starts now. ------ First, the Center for Disease Control announced new COVID recommendations yesterday, rolling back lots of restrictions. You may have seen that story but what you probably didn’t see is that half of America plans to ignore that advice; they refuse to move on. We’re going to discuss who those people are, and why their refusal matters. As always, I’m keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put these two on your radar. First, the biggest fire in Cuba’s history is out, but the crisis is just beginning. And that could mean a rush of migrants to our southern border. I’ll update you on that development. Second, Ukraine’s top law-enforcement official says that, once the war with Russia is over, everybody should buy more guns. That’s a big policy change for that country. We’ll discuss it. And finally, one more thing before I let you go. Two questions from listeners, one about solar panels and the other about wanting some good news. So we’ll talk about that. ------ Please remember to subscribe if you enjoyed this episode of the President's Daily Brief. Email: [e-mail] Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's August 12th. You're listening to the President's Daily Brief. I'm your host and former CIA Officer Brian Dean Wright. Your morning intel starts now. First up, the Center for Disease Control announced new COVID recommendations yesterday, rolling back lots of restrictions. You may have seen that story, but what you probably didn't see is that half of America plans to ignore that advice. They refuse to move on. We're going to discuss who those people are and why their refusal matters. As always, I'm keeping an eye out for developing stories. Put these two on your radar. First, the biggest fire in Cuba's history is out, but the crisis is just beginning. And that could mean a rush of migrants to our southern border. I'll update you on that

development. Second, Ukraine's top law enforcement official says that once the war with Russia is over, everybody should buy more guns. That's a big policy change for that country. We'll discuss it. And finally, one more thing before I'd let you go, two questions from listeners, one about solar panels and the other about wanting some more good news. So we'll talk about that. But first, let's get started with today's main brief. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention said yesterday that the agency was dropping virtually all of its restrictive COVID-19 recommendations. The goal, they said, was to streamline policies that make clear that we have to live with this virus. So you might be asking what changed and what did not.

Well, let's start first with what did not change. If you test positive for COVID-19, the CDC continues to say that you should isolate in your home for five days or so, depending on how sick you are. In other words, if you're sick, stay home, and that sounds pretty darn reasonable. But beyond this advice, the CDC actually changed pretty much everything that it had previously suggested. First, for kids. If schools have been testing students every day or every week as a preventative measure, no need. Broad testing, they said, is not a cost-effective solution. Test only when folks have symptoms except for places like assisted living facilities.

Again, that sounds pretty reasonable. Second, the general demand to just quarantine people have they been exposed, well, that is out. For instance, if a child who has been exposed to COVID, wants to go to school, they can and should. Adults, the exact same thing. You can go to work. If you start feeling ill, stay home. All right. Sounds pretty good to me. Third, the demand to stay six feet apart for social distancing, that is gone too. It turns out those stickers on the grocery store floor did not help at all. Agreed. Fourth, the at home tests, they're fine, but they're not foolproof. So the guidance is,

If you test positive, that's probably accurate. If you test negative, it doesn't mean as much. Just keep waiting for symptoms and then test. All right, again, fair enough. Finally, the CDC noted that the vast majority of people in this country, some 95%, have some layer of protection against COVID, whether through vaccination, past infection, or both. But did you hear that? The past infection part?

So listen to the exact quote issued by the CDC. Infection-induced immunity has substantially reduced the risk of medically significant illness. In other words, natural immunity following infection is both real and important to help keep America safe. That's a big change. Lots of people for years have refused to believe that that could be true. So, great news. One final note here. the CDC official who announced these changes, Dr. Greta Massetti, well, she said that the overall

focus for the country moving forward should be that people must understand their own personal risk and that the risk factors for COVID complications are mostly for those age 65 and up, the obese, and people with underlying health issues. In other words, know your body, know your risk, and make your choice. So, ladies and gentlemen, That is the latest from the CDC. And for what it's worth, their recommendations are what most reasonable people have been saying for a couple of years now. It's outrageous that it's taken so long, but it is nice to see public health officials catch up to common sense and actual science. The question is, why should you care about these CDC changes this morning?

Because so many of us, well, we've kind of just moved on already. But that's actually the point. It's very important to remind ourselves that while you and I may have moved on, many Americans have not. On Tuesday, there was a study released from the Annenberg Public Policy Center at the University of Pennsylvania. Now, they found that about 45% of Americans have, in fact, moved on to their pre-COVID lives, but the other half have not.

In fact, 23% of Americans say that they will never move on from COVID-19. they will never go back to their pre-COVID lives. Now, that has some very profound consequences for this country, because some of those people, the 23% of Americans, well, they are principals at schools. They are mayors and governors. They are even public health officials. In other words, they are people with profound power over your lives,

and they refuse to follow the science. So if I were briefing you in the White House this morning, here would be my reflections on that and how to manage this deep divide. We need to first ask who these people are, not to throw arrows, but to understand what could be driving their fears. Well, thankfully, we have the answer. In that same study that I mentioned from the University of Pennsylvania, their data tell us exactly who these never move on folks tend to be.

Now, they include first, those who say that they are Democrats, and second, those who are aged 65 and up. So let's take that last group, the folks who are age 65 and up. Now, they have very good reason to be concerned about their immune systems, not just to deal with COVID, but all viruses, but that actually gives us an important opportunity to firstly clarify that we have fantastic care options now if you are hospitalized. Plus, public health officials should talk about the ways to boost your immune systems for this group of folks, like through good sleep, lots of exercise, and proper diet. In some cases, boosting vitamin D levels.

In other words, folks age 65 and up have rational fears about COVID, and we can have rational conversations about how to address them. But it's that other group, the Democrats, that is more concerning. About a year ago, the Gallup organization surveyed Democrats and asked them this, what are the chances that someone who gets COVID will end up hospitalized? Now, the answer is between 1 to 5% of sufferers. But that's not what the Democrats thought. 70% of Democrats said that the hospitalization rate was not 1 to 5%, but 20% to 50%.

And that is just incredible. Democrats wildly overstate the risk of COVID. So no wonder they refuse to move on. They are convinced that basically one out of every two COVID sufferers goes to the hospital. But why is that? Why is it the Democrats in particular got this number so very wrong? What is it about party affiliation here? Well, there was a study from Dartmouth University not too long ago that looked at how COVID was presented in the media.

Now, that study revealed that nearly 90% of the news reports in this country were negative about COVID. And that's compared to just 50% in international media. Just to say that again, 90% of the news reports. negative here and 50% negative abroad. So it would be a logical conclusion then that Democrats have lost their ever-loven minds on this because they were filling their brains with negative COVID garbage. They have embraced fake COVID news. Now that doesn't mean that Republicans can't lose their minds too, by the way. This isn't a party thing. This is a human thing. People can be manipulated. And it just so happens that on this COVID issue, they have been wildly manipulated by their

media outlets and their politicians. But this is really bad for the rest of us, because some of those Democrats in madness are in charge of lots of things like cities and states, maybe your company or your child's school. So we can't just laugh this off. It's deadly serious. So how do we fix this? Well, it's tough because you cannot reason with someone when they are in a state of madness. Their emotions don't care about facts. So if you can't reason with mad people, maybe you could possibly encourage Democrat-leading media to reason with their followers. But I think that that is an impossible request, and that's because there's an old expression here at work. If it bleeds, it leads. The media sells panic because that sells newspapers and captures eyeballs. And so they have no incentive

to calm nerves, only to inflame them. So that, leaves Democrat politicians, perhaps the reasonable ones who could start speaking truth to their frenzied crowds. But that would require that they admit at some point and at some level they probably bought into the madness too. And you know what? That's just not going to happen. I apologize for being a cynic here, but I just don't see that happening. So folks, I think that the blunt truth is that we are just going to have to ride this out. Just you, me, and the PDB. We're going to have to keep talking facts and data. And then you go out into the world, better armed, and you have those respectful conversations with your principals, your bosses, the mayors, whoever it might be caught up in

hysteria. Now, maybe those thoughtful conversations will break the fever, and that would be great. But if they don't listen, well, folks, you're probably going to have to take action. For instance, parents, you might have to move your kids to a new school or homeschool if you can. perhaps you run for a seat on the school board or you get together with like-minded parents and you start suing all the school districts back into compliance. The point is don't underestimate the madness just because in this case the CDC's own fever seems to have broken, at least for the moment. Now these people bless their hearts will try to ruin your life.

They will try to pull America back into their COVID panic if we let them. So keep strong, get organized and stay. loud. But most of all, make sure you vote. Because while we can have compassion for these people, we must never submit to their crazy demands or the political leaders who make them. Coming up, ladies and gentlemen, a closer look at what's on my radar. Two quick briefs for you, one on the big fire in Cuba and the other on guns in Ukraine. We'll be right back. This is a Bose moment. You've been there. Small talk's going nowhere, but then the Bose speaker kicks in. Music you can feel fills the room and no more chat with Danny from accounts.

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Put these two on your radar. First, an update on the massive fire in Cuba that I spoke with you about earlier in the week, one that could lead to a migration crisis at America's southern border. To recap that brief, there was a lightning strike in the Cuban city of Matanzas last Friday. Now specifically, it struck a fuel tank at the port where the country receives the big super tankers full of crude oil and such. Now, that fuel depot is especially important because Cuba imports 60% of the fuel that the nation needs to power its electricity plants and keep the economy afloat. But that lightning strike didn't just affect one fuel tank. It set three others ablaze two, and it damaged the port.

And that takes us to our update. The fire is now out. They got it under control only yesterday, actually, but the damage is just getting started. The port is now fully offline, and that means no substantial imports of oil or fuel for the foreseeable future. And in turn, that has led to growing electricity blackouts all throughout the country, 12 to 18 hours at a time in many places. And as a consequence, food is spoiling and tempers are flaring. there are no fans or air conditioning to offer reprieve from the summertime Cuban heat. Lastly, we're also seeing very long lines for the remaining gas and food and medicine in the country,

in part because delivery trucks are stock. Well, the upshot here is that things are going from bad to worse in Cuba, and over the next couple of weeks and months, that could lead to unprecedented developments. And one could be a rush by Cubans to our southern border. We've already seen a record number this year, over 150,000 Cubans, and this lightning strike disaster could bring even more. And that's why I will be watching this story very closely. Finally this morning, Ukraine's top law enforcement official is saying that despite the country's long history against private gun ownership, Ukrainians need to start buying more guns, even after

the war is over. So Kiev's interior minister said that Russia's war demonstrated that Ukrainian citizens can obviously handle weapons. After all, he said, the government's been handing out weaponry of all kinds to people to protect themselves against the Russians. And that kind of well-armed citizenry, he said, would be needed to defer Moscow in a future. Plus, he said, any post-war demand for people to surrender their weapons, quote, would not be respected since most Ukrainians will continue to feel unsafe, end quote. And that, of course, is because Ukraine is full of so many weapons.

as he explained, frankly, mostly provided by us. And eventually he said criminal gangs will get a hold of most of them, and that will threaten peace throughout the country. Now, that's actually a concern that has been shared by Europe's top law enforcement agency or Europol. The director of that organization said that they two expect major challenges for peace and security down the road in Ukraine by criminals because of, again, sad to say, our guns. So all of this is pretty remarkable when you step back, this switch to a gun culture, because prior to the war, there were pretty substantial restrictions on who could

own guns. In fact, civilians weren't able to own a weapon except for a hunting rifle. And most people in Ukraine, well, they were actually on board with that. Well, that is to say before the war. Now, not so much. Now, here's some interesting data on that. The number of Ukrainians who support broad gun ownership has doubled to 58 percent. Meanwhile, 39 percent oppose. That's a according to a survey from May. It was the first poll ever in Ukraine to show that gun rights were more important to the people than gun control. It's funny how war will do that. And with that, ladies and gentlemen, one more thing before I'd let you go.

Two questions from listeners this morning. One about solar panels and the other about needing more good news. We'll be right back. Exema is unpredictable. But you can flare less with ebbglis. A once-monthly treatment for moderate to severe eczema. After an initial four-month or longer dosing phase, about four and seven people taking Ebbglis achieved itch relief and clear or almost clear skin at 16 weeks, and most of those people

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I've got one more thing before I'd let you go this morning. Two questions from two listeners. First up, Clint from East Texas. wrote in about the new climate bill that we discussed yesterday and specifically about solar panels. So here's what he said. Do you think that it would be a good idea for myself and the rest of the PDB listeners to consider solar panels for our homes? I mean, it could help offset the cost of rising energy prices. Now, I don't think that we should get rid of oil or coal. I'm just wondering for my own personal use. Clint, great question. Now, I want to remind you and everybody else listening

this morning, I actually don't have heartburned with folks choosing whatever electricity supply that they choose. Let me just give you an example. On my family's ranch in Oregon, we use solar for our water troughs in the back 40 because there are no electricity lines. And the same is true with wind. My dad had a cow and calf operation in Nebraska, and he and his neighbors used windmills all the time for the exact same purpose, you know, to pull water for the troughs. So I am all about whatever works for each person's needs. And so, so I am all about whatever works for each person's needs. And so if you can pencil out solar panels on your home plus the battery packs necessary for them,

well, then you'll do it. But if I were you, I would sure look at a few things. First, the safety profile of the specific panels that you're considering. If those things are made in China or Asia, no thanks. Second, I would consider the potential damage to your roof during installation. How confident are you in the installers that they're not going to end up giving you a leak? Third, what is the plan for those solar panels when they go belly up and who pays for the cost? Now remember, I gave you a brief on that a while back.

So to recap, many states haven't thought of where those dead solar panels go when they die or who has to pay for them. And inside those solar panels are lots of toxic chemicals. And you do not want those solar panels or the batteries in your local dumps. Now, Clint, some people decide to go a different route here. They'll sign a contract with the company. that installs the solar panels on your roof, and in exchange, they will charge you a fairly low flat fee for your monthly electricity supply.

But they retain ownership of the panels on your roof. Now, maybe that works for some people, but I don't want anyone on my property owning anything other than me. But anyway, keep me posted, Clint, do what works best for you and your family. But hey, let's make sure that we keep reliable oil, natural gas, and coal for the national grid. Final question this morning from Stewart and Cash Valley, Utah.

His email was entitled, Is there any good news out there? Well, all right, I love this. Here's what he wrote. I stopped watching the news for the most part years ago. I felt like my perspective on life was shifting from a glass half full to a glass half empty. And I didn't like where that was headed. Now, I appreciate what the PDB does, but I find myself having some of those similar feelings. resurface. Now, I get it. Things need to change. We can't just shut ourselves off from society,

but I think I'd find it easier to do if I could also hear some good stuff every now and again. Would you mind? Stuart Challenge accepted. Let's start with some good news that you already know. Cash Valley is beautiful. My goodness, you are lucky to live there. God was awfully kind to you all out there. Beautiful place to wake up in. Meanwhile, Stuart, I'm going to do two things. First, I'm going to give you some good international news this morning, and second, I'm going to ask everybody to be on the watch for the exact same. Because in our world of challenge, there is joy, there's success and triumph, and it is important to remember and for me to talk about. So thank you for reminding me. So folks, keep your eyes out for good news that you think that fits with what we do here, internationally especially, but in your hometowns too.

maybe lessons learned on how to bring back businesses from abroad or fixing up failing schools. Maybe compassionate ways to help people caught up in the fentanyl crisis. Let's be creative. Let's see what we can do. The email address for those stories, as always, is PDB at thefirsttv.com. And with that, Stuart, here's some good news. When we first started talking about the Wheat Wars, I had you all pull out a map, and we circled a globe of places near and far that needed wheat and other crops out of Ukraine.

Now, one of those countries was Egypt. They import most of their food, including from Ukraine, and they were facing a real dire strait. Well, Egypt is getting some much-needed relief this morning. If you remember, there was a Ukrainian ship that had been stranded in the Mediterranean Sea. There was actually an original buyer in Lebanon who decided at the last minute to cancel. Well, folks in Cairo said, yes, please, we will take that ship full of food. So, 25,000 tons of desperately needed food is heading south right now to Egypt. Ah, one last bit of good news, actually on the personal front.

The PDB had a record number of listeners this week. So look at us, Stuart. Good news all around. And that, ladies and gentlemen, concludes your morning brief. As always, we close out the show, reminding each other. of why we are here, talking about our country and our world. It's the creed of every good spy and every smart American. It's from John chapter 8, verse 32. And you shall know the truth. And the truth shall make you free. Good day. Yamava Resort and Casino at San Manuel is California's

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