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Published Jul 13, 2020

The Closing Of The American Mind | Ep. 1050

Ben Shapiro delves into the American political landscape, critiquing progressive movements and warning against radical policy changes while addressing rising crime rates, the divisive nature of cancel culture, and the contentious narratives around COVID-19. He challenges mainstream media portrayals and advocates for effective policing and free speech integrity.
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  • COVID-19 Trends

    The COVID-19 pandemic continues to present challenges across the United States, with varying responses and outcomes in different states. highlights the significant increase in testing in Florida, which has led to a rise in reported cases, though the positivity rate has slightly decreased 1. He contrasts this with New York's earlier struggles, emphasizing the importance of understanding long-term trends rather than momentary data 2.

    The momentary thinking on COVID-19 is truly incredible. People were saying this about Sweden. Well, look at Sweden. Sweden's having a lot of death. And I kept saying, guys, you need to wait some months.

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    Shapiro also notes the political implications of these statistics, pointing out how different narratives are shaped by media and political biases 1.

       

    Media Narratives

    The media's portrayal of COVID-19 statistics often reflects underlying political biases, according to Ben. He criticizes the narrative that New York's handling of the pandemic was exemplary, arguing that the state's high death toll contradicts this claim 3. Shapiro uses the example of New York's initial COVID-19 curve to illustrate how media narratives can distort public perception.

    The reason you haven't seen an uptick in New York is because it killed everyone, okay? Killed 33,000 people in New York. That is not a great leadership moment, by the way.

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    He further discusses how environmental factors, such as air conditioning, have influenced the spread of the virus in states like Florida and Texas, contrasting them with states like Colorado where outdoor activities are more common 3.

       

    Fauci's Role

    The debate over Dr. Anthony Fauci's role and advice during the pandemic has become a focal point of political discourse. Ben discusses President Trump's criticism of Fauci, noting that the scientist has become a polarizing figure due to his public health recommendations 4. Shapiro argues that while Fauci's expertise is valuable, it should not be immune to scrutiny, especially when political agendas are at play.

    I respect Dr. Fauci a lot, but Dr. Fauci is not 100% right. And he also doesn't necessarily, and he admits that have the whole national interest in mind.

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    He emphasizes the need for science to guide policy decisions, but acknowledges that political influences often overshadow scientific discourse, particularly in debates over school reopenings 4.

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