Science From The Fringe Podcast (Science From The Fringe)

On July 26, 2021, Jay sat down with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for a wide ranging discussion about the decision to lockdown in March 2020, the science on kids and COVID, the harms from lockdown, the ethics of panicking the population, the reform of public health, and censorship of public speech by big tech companies.

On August 16, 2021, Jay interviewed former Czech Republic President Václav Klaus. In the interview, Pres. Klaus's reflected on his management of the 2009 H1N1 flu and the contrast with the panicked response to COVID-19, the effect of lockdown policies on civil society in the west, vaccine-based discrimination, and the future of western democracies to resist future lockdowns.

In March 2022, Jay sat down with John Ioannidis, Professor of Medicine at Stanford University, to discuss several key topics from the pandemic era. They explore early seroprevalence studies, Infection Fatality Rates (IFR), and the concept of precision shielding. The discussion also covers the collateral damage caused by lockdowns and how to restore trust in public health systems.

Highlights include:

0:38 How deadly is COVID-19?

4:53 IFR, seroprevalence, and testing methods.

9:06 Precision shielding and personalized medicine.

21:22 The effectiveness of lockdowns.

28:14 Was there a consensus on lockdown measures?

35:04 The feasibility of a zero COVID strategy.

41:59 Insights from mathematical modeling.

49:39 Advances in treatments and evidence-based medicine.

56:44 Assessing the performance of the NIH and FDA.

1:01:42 Academic debates and the Great Barrington Declaration.

1:14:38 Evaluating the strengths and weaknesses of science.

1:22:07 Needed reforms in scientific practice.

1:30:24 The essential role of art in society.

Part 1 of a discussion between Jay Bhattacharya and independent journalist Aya Velázquez recorded on September 17, 2024. In this segment, they discussed the role of the Robert Koch Institute (RKI) in shaping Germany's COVID-19 policies, revealing the political interference in scientific advice, the key figures involved, and the implications of their decisions on public health. Aya discussed the unveiling of the RKI files, the influence of prominent scientists like Christian Drosten, and the impact of school closures and vaccine mandates. The conversation highlights the disconnect between scientific evidence and political decisions, particularly regarding natural immunity and masking policies, and reflects on the future implications of these revelations for public trust in science and government.

Part 2 of a discussion between Jay Bhattacharya and independent journalist Aya Velázquez recorded on September 17, 2024. In this segment, Jay discusses the differences in virus transmission between COVID-19 and monkeypox, the impact of lockdowns and public health responses, and the implications of the lab leak theory. He reflects on the role of academic institutions in promoting freedom of speech and the political divides that have influenced public health responses. Bhattacharya emphasizes the need for lessons learned from the pandemic to prepare for future outbreaks and compares the epidemiological characteristics of COVID-19 and influenza

On September 29, 2024, Science From The Fringe hosted its first X-Space, featuring Bryce Nickels (Professor of Genetics at Rutgers University and co-founder of Biosafety Now) and Valentin Brutel (Immunologist and Chief Scientific Officer of Toleris) in conversation with German journalists Aya Velázquez and Bastian Barukar. They explored the "RKI file scandal," discussing the Robert Koch Institute's role and how political influence affected scientific recommendations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The conversation covered the impact of COVID measures on children, the scientific basis for mask mandates, and the crucial role of investigative journalism in uncovering the truth behind public health decisions. The event concluded with a call for greater transparency and accountability in future pandemic responses.

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On November 17, 2021, Jay Bhattacharya testified before the US House Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis in a hearing titled “Combating Coronavirus Cons and the Monetization of Misinformation"

During the hearing, Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi (D-IL) repeatedly attacked Jay with false accusations, implying Jay was responsible for over 300,000 deaths in India, questioning Jay’s qualifications to speak on mask mandates and school closures, and claiming that Jay "became a mouthpiece for the Chinese Communist Party's Publicity Department in early 2021."

This exchange marked a significant low point for Jay, and aside from a brief thread on Twitter following the hearing, he has remained silent on the matter. In this video, recorded on October 9, 2024, Jay and Bryce Nickels revisit the incident, allowing Jay to finally respond to these baseless accusations.

video features the song “Friendlies” by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe

Synopsis: An October 15 column in the LA Times criticizing a Stanford conference gave Jay Bhattacharya and Bryce Nickels the chance to spotlight Wilk Wilkinson and his efforts to unite opposing voices, including his recent facilitation of a historic meeting between Jay and former NIH Director Francis Collins.

On October 26, 2024, Science From The Fringe held an X-Space, featuring Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (Professor, Stanford University), Bryce Nickels (Professor, Rutgers University; co-founder of Biosafety Now), and special guest Wilk Wilkinson, who moderated a panel on "Evidence-Based Decision Making During a Pandemic" at the October 4, 2024, conference organized by Jay at Stanford University titled "Pandemic Policy: Planning the Future, Assessing the Past."

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Wilk is host of the Derate The Hate podcast and a leading member of Braver Angels, a grassroots organization promoting civil discourse. Wilk, described on his podcast’s website as a devoted husband, loving father, and committed Christian conservative, has made it his mission to foster dialogue and understanding across ideological divides. His work with Braver Angels is centered on offering practical tools for positive change and bringing people together through meaningful conversation.

Wilk’s efforts led him to become friends with former NIH Director Francis Collins. In July 2023, they shared a stage at a Braver Angels event, where Collins admitted that the pandemic mitigation strategies, he advocated for failed to fully consider the negative impact on those living outside major cities like Washington, D.C., and New York. After this admission went viral, Wilk facilitated a private meeting between Jay and Francis, during which Francis apologized for his call to orchestrate a “devastating takedown” of Jay, Sunetra Gupta, and Martin Kulldorff, co-authors of The Great Barrington Declaration.

video features the song “Voyage De L'âme” by Tess Parks and Anton Newcombe

Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Dr. Laura Kahn about her new book, One Health and the Politics of COVID-19, which explores the relationship between human, animal, and environmental health, particularly in the context of infectious diseases like COVID-19. They discuss the historical roots of the One Health concept, the impact of zoonotic diseases, and the implications of human activities on disease spillovers. The conversation also delves into the origins of COVID-19, examining the lab leak theory versus natural spillover, and the need for a broader understanding of health that incorporates environmental factors. They discuss the importance of serological data in establishing the origins of viruses, the challenges of open scientific discourse, and the need for public trust in science. The discussion emphasizes the chaotic media landscape and the necessity of having diverse viewpoints in scientific discussions to foster understanding and progress.

To learn more about Laura’s work, click here.

To purchase Laura’s latest book, One Health and the Politics of COVID-19, click here.

video features music by Tess Parks

Jay Bhattacharya and Bryce Nickels speak with Joomi Kim, a biologist who discusses her motivations for creating a video explaining her decision to vote for Donald Trump amidst a politically charged academic environment. The conversation explores the complex interplay between politics, science, and public perception and the challenges of navigating political divides. The discussion also covered censorship, the impact of COVID-19 on public discourse, and the misrepresentation of political figures in the media. Joomi shares her academic background, her experiences with backlash for her views, and the broader implications of censorship on public health and political discourse. The conversation highlights the need for open dialogue and the dangers of demonizing opposing perspectives.

Click here to watch Joomi’s video explaining her decision to vote for Donald Trump

Be sure to subscribe to Joomi’s Substack “Let’s Be Clear”

video features music by Tess Parks

Jay Bhattacharya speaks with Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-Iowa) about the failures of public health during the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the need for robust debate, transparency, and reform within the CDC. They explore the impact of COVID policies on mental health, the authoritarian tendencies observed in public health responses, and the consequences of vaccine mandates, particularly in the military. The discussion highlights the importance of learning from past mistakes to build a more trustworthy and effective public health infrastructure.

video features music by Tess Parks