08-31-2021, 07:18 PM
I would imagine most of you saw that Rand Paul is complaining ivermectin isn’t being taken seriously or studied because of “hatred for Trump”. (Has Trump specifically recommended ivermectin?)
Anyway, first, it has been studied, as anyone who can google (“ivermectin covid scientific study”) can see, with dozens of published studies. Unfortunately, they’ve generally small and poorly controlled, with frequently contradictory results. Metanalysis grouping the best-quality studies are similarly inconclusive. Numerous fact-checking sites (like this) have tried to convey this to the public. Nevertheless, larger studies of ivermectin do exist and are ongoing.
Secondly, there is a significant number of medications that have been proposed for treating Covid. Some, like hydroxychloroquine, had some theoretical basis, but turned out to be useless in studies when actually used in Covid patients. Others (like fluvoxamine, an inexpensive drug previously used as an antidepressant) have shown great early results, but ethical doctors are not recommending it on social media in random doses of formulations not made for human consumption. Still others (like…injecting bleach) were suggested “sarcastically”.
The bottom line is that we have already identified a treatment that is highly effective in preventing severe Covid infection in multiple, well-designed studies, with few adverse effects. And yet there is a significant proportion of the population that avoids it based on political views. Flailing about with alternatives promoted on social media do little other than encouraging the poorly informed to avoid the most effective treatment, vaccination.
Anyway, first, it has been studied, as anyone who can google (“ivermectin covid scientific study”) can see, with dozens of published studies. Unfortunately, they’ve generally small and poorly controlled, with frequently contradictory results. Metanalysis grouping the best-quality studies are similarly inconclusive. Numerous fact-checking sites (like this) have tried to convey this to the public. Nevertheless, larger studies of ivermectin do exist and are ongoing.
Secondly, there is a significant number of medications that have been proposed for treating Covid. Some, like hydroxychloroquine, had some theoretical basis, but turned out to be useless in studies when actually used in Covid patients. Others (like fluvoxamine, an inexpensive drug previously used as an antidepressant) have shown great early results, but ethical doctors are not recommending it on social media in random doses of formulations not made for human consumption. Still others (like…injecting bleach) were suggested “sarcastically”.
The bottom line is that we have already identified a treatment that is highly effective in preventing severe Covid infection in multiple, well-designed studies, with few adverse effects. And yet there is a significant proportion of the population that avoids it based on political views. Flailing about with alternatives promoted on social media do little other than encouraging the poorly informed to avoid the most effective treatment, vaccination.