Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent explore the concerns around vaccine myocarditis in children, emphasizing the rarity and mild nature of this side effect in the context of broader COVID-19 impacts.  They provide a detailed analysis of the incidence and severity of COVID-19 among different age groups, underlining the disproportionate effects on black and Hispanic children.  The hosts critically examine the statistical representation of COVID-related deaths and hospitalizations, shedding...

This episode of "We Want Them Infected" features a critical examination of the role and challenges of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Hosts Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orange discuss how the pandemic has tested the limits of RCTs, which are often considered the gold standard in medical research. They address the ethical concerns that arise when implementing RCTs during a crisis, such as the risk to participants and the feasibility of obtaining...

The focus of today’s episode turned to Dr. Vinay Prasad, a once-distinguished oncologist who has become a leading advocate for the controversial pro-infection movement. Hosts Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent criticized Prasad's shift towards advocating for natural COVID-19 infection over vaccination in children, an approach they argue is both unethical and scientifically unfounded. The discussion highlighted Prasad's journey from a reputable medical expert to a figure promoting...

Dr. Jonathan Howard delves into the controversial tenure of Dr. Scott Atlas as President Trump's coronavirus advisor. Atlas, who lacked a background in infectious diseases, was a proponent of achieving herd immunity by allowing the virus to spread among low-risk populations—a strategy considered dangerous by many health experts. The podcast critiques Atlas's approach, which ignored the potential for severe consequences across all age groups and disproportionately impacted vulnerable...

The conversation scrutinizes the advocacy for herd immunity as a response to COVID-19, highlighting the ethical and practical issues with targeting unvaccinated children and young adults for infection. It explores the aftermath of the Great Barrington Declaration, including minimized concerns for COVID-19 variants and opposition to vaccinations for children.  Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent also address the negative repercussions on healthcare services and education, underscoring the...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent engage in a comprehensive critique of the movement advocating for herd immunity through natural infection among unvaccinated populations. They dissect the flawed arguments presented in early pandemic responses, highlighting Dr. Jay Bhattacharya's controversial statements and the backlash from the scientific community. The episode critically analyzes the Great Barrington Declaration, its implications, and its failure to address the complexities of COVID-19...

Hosts Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent critically examine the strategy of intentionally infecting unvaccinated populations to reach herd immunity. The discussion revisits predictions made by health experts in the early stages of the pandemic, highlighting how optimistic expectations often fell short in the face of evolving challenges, such as the emergence of new variants. The conversation covers significant dates and statements from various health experts, analyzing their implications and...

Dr. Jonathan Howard takes a solo dive into the rationale behind some medical professionals' controversial endorsement of natural COVID-19 infection over vaccination to achieve herd immunity. Addressing a query from a listener, the podcast episode aims to uncover the motivations behind such a high-risk strategy, beyond the commonly cited reasons of greed and political influence. Throughout the episode, Howard examines the stance of several respected doctors from prestigious institutions who...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss the complex and controversial strategies surrounding COVID-19, particularly focusing on the approach to infect unvaccinated individuals for herd immunity. They critique the Great Barrington Declaration's focus on protecting the elderly and other high-risk groups through measures like testing, reduced staff rotation, and non-admittance of COVID-19 affected individuals into nursing homes. They highlight the challenges and impracticalities of these...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent tackle the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, which proposes allowing COVID-19 to spread among unvaccinated children and young adults to achieve herd immunity. This strategy, according to the declaration, would protect vulnerable populations through "focused protection." Howard and Orent explore the ethical and logistical challenges of this approach, highlighting the difficulty in segregating vulnerable individuals from the rest of the population....

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent tackled the contentious issue of measles outbreaks in New Orleans and Florida, placing a spotlight on the unconventional public health advice dispensed by Surgeon General Joseph Ladapo. Ladapo’s guidance, which diverged from traditional outbreak management by allowing unvaccinated children to attend school, sparked widespread concern among public health professionals and vaccination advocates. The discussion extended beyond the immediate crisis, addressing...

Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dive into the contentious approach Sweden took towards managing the COVID-19 pandemic. Sweden's strategy, characterized by an avoidance of lockdowns and an emphasis on herd immunity, has been a subject of international scrutiny and debate. The hosts explore the implications of keeping schools open, the minimal use of masks, and the lack of social distancing measures in educational settings. As the episode unfolds, Howard and Orent critique the Great Barrington...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent explore the contentious issue of achieving herd immunity by infecting unvaccinated children and young adults with COVID-19. This approach, criticized for its ethical and scientific shortcomings, particularly overlooks the significant risks COVID-19 poses to children, contrary to the assertions of some health professionals and the Great Barrington Declaration. Howard and Orent correct a misquote from a previous episode and address disturbing listener...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent dive into the criticisms and negative reviews they have received for their podcast. They discuss accusations of ad hominem attacks and misrepresentations made by doctors they have quoted in their discussions on pandemic policies and vaccination strategies. Dr. Howard begins by acknowledging the seriousness of the pandemic and the consequences of words spoken during such times. He highlights that some individuals treated the pandemic as a game, engaging in...

The COVID-19 pandemic has been a global crisis that has reshaped the way we live and interact with each other. Amid the chaos and uncertainty, various strategies and policies were implemented to curb the spread of the virus. One such strategy was lockdowns, which drew significant attention and debate throughout the pandemic. In this article, we delve into the Great Barrington Declaration, a document that criticized lockdowns as a response to the pandemic and offered an alternative...

The GBD, penned in October 2020, proposed an alternative strategy to the prevailing COVID-19 restrictions. It suggested that low-risk populations should be allowed to acquire natural immunity through infection, while high-risk groups, particularly the elderly and those with pre-existing conditions, receive focused protection. This approach, the authors argued, would lead to herd immunity, reducing overall societal and economic disruptions. Questionable Origins and Ideological Underpinnings...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent take a deep dive into the controversial Great Barrington Declaration, a document that has stirred significant debate in the public health community. This declaration, penned by Dr. Sunita Gupta of Oxford, Dr. Jay Bhattacharya of Stanford, and Dr. Martin Kulldorff of Harvard, proposes a pandemic response strategy centered on achieving herd immunity through natural infection, particularly among younger, healthier populations. The Underestimation of COVID-19...

Dr. Jonathan Howard, in the absence of co-host Wendy Orent, explores the misconceptions and risky propositions around achieving herd immunity through natural COVID-19 infection. He references an article by Drs. de Souza and Dowdy from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, highlighting the true meaning of herd immunity and its relation to vaccination. Howard critiques various early claims and redefinitions of herd immunity during the pandemic, stressing the dangers of using children...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and expert Wendy Orent explore the contentious topic of a novel virus's origins. They examine the evolution of infectious diseases and the likelihood of laboratory involvement in the virus's emergence. The discussion revolves around the complexity of virus transmissibility, the historical context of virus outbreaks, and the challenges in pinpointing the exact origins. The conversation also addresses common conspiracy theories and the importance of scientific evidence over...

Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss various aspects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including the initial underestimation of the death toll by Dr. John Ioannidis. They address misconceptions such as the belief that people were dying with COVID, not of COVID, and the skepticism surrounding COVID-19 death certificates. Dr. Howard counters these claims by highlighting the challenges faced in the early stages of the pandemic, including limited testing availability. The discussion also touches...

In this episode, the hosts critically examine COVID-19 misinformation, focusing on the widespread myths that persisted during the pandemic. They discuss the controversial stance of Dr. John Ioannidis and others who underestimated COVID's impact and compared its dangers to everyday activities like driving. The episode highlights the serious consequences of these misconceptions, including the false notion that COVID only severely affected the elderly with pre-existing conditions, and addresses...

In this discussion, Dr. Jonathan Howard and Wendy Orent discuss the early responses to the COVID-19 pandemic and the role of Dr. John E. Loannidis, a renowned scientist. They examine his initial underestimation of the virus's impact, the flaws in his predictions, and his shifting perspectives over time. Resources Mentioned: Dr. John E. Ioannidis' early writings on COVID-19 Stat News article "A Fiasco in the Making: As the Coronavirus Pandemic Takes Hold, We Are Making Decisions...

Dr. Jonathan Howard, a neurologist and psychiatrist, and Co-Host, Wendy Orent, discuss the emergence of the anti-vaccine movement, particularly focusing on doctors who have contributed to spreading vaccine skepticism. They examine the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, the influence of certain doctors, and the alarming mainstreaming of anti-vaccine rhetoric.     About the authors: Dr. Jonathan Howard is a distinguished neurologist and psychiatrist based in New York City, practicing at...

We Want Them Infected is a conversation that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about medical experts and vaccine skepticism. Our podcast reveals the hidden side of the COVID-19 pandemic, where influential doctors played a troubling role in spreading misinformation and fear. We talk about why We Want Them Infected isn't just a book; it's a call to action.  Subscribe to the show and learn how the anti-vaccine movement went mainstream, affecting public health and...