America’s Frontline Doctors Speak Out
“Hydroxychloroquine is safer than aspirin which causes approximately 3,000 deaths annually.” - Jeffrey I. Barke, M.D.
A group of physicians went to Washington, DC to share a message of hope and optimism about Covid-19 in a press conference. They spoke about treatment, prevention, and the risks associated with this novel virus. America’s Frontline Doctors’ website has been removed by Squarespace. YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, and Twitter have all removed the videos of the press conference. After nearly 600,000 shares and over 16 million views, Facebook deleted Breitbart’s live stream of the doctors.
Shortly after President Trump retweeted the videos, Twitter showed the headline “Hydroxychloroquine is not an effective treatment for COVID-19” in the first slot under its ‘trending content.’ Donald Trump Jr.’s Twitter account was suspended after he shared the video. The censorship of their first amendment free speech rights by what amounts to the equivalent of a public utility is an enormous danger to all Americans and clearly is politically motivated.
Although I was not able to join my colleagues in DC, I was given the opportunity to participate virtually in the initial press conference on the morning of July 27th. I spoke about safely reopening schools to the reporters, social media outlets, and members of the public present for the event.
What was so threatening to the well-being of the American people in the message that was delivered on the steps of the Supreme Court that YouTube, Vimeo, Facebook, Twitter, and Squarespace find it necessary to block the content?
Could it be the statements about hydroxychloroquine, when combined with zinc and a Z-pack has been shown to be effective in the early treatment of Covid-19? Science supports this message. Maybe it was that children are at very low risk from Covid-19? Science supports this message as well. Or, perhaps it was that children rarely spread Covid-19 to adults and therefore schools could reopen without danger to their teachers, staff, parents, or others in their household? Science also supports this message. Or, was it the message from all the doctors that there is little science to support the universal masking of a population to prevent the spread of a viral illness? Or, finally, was it that Dr. Stella Immanuel, a Black doctor born in Cameroon and trained in Nigeria spoke out on the benefits and safety of hydroxychloroquine –– an over-the-counter drug in many countries?
Dr. Simone Gold is an emergency physician and a Stanford educated attorney. She was a key organizer of America’s Frontline Doctors. I am proud to call her my friend and colleague. Her courage to speak out despite the personal attacks and vitriol that both she and Dr. Immanuel have endured should be applauded.
I believe those of us involved with America’s Frontline Doctors speak for thousands of physicians worldwide who are sick and tired of the politicization of our profession and the interference with the sacrosanct doctor-patient relationship. Never before in my 30 year career have I been challenged in prescribing a non-controlled, safe medication such as hydroxychloroquine. It is a medication deemed so safe that it is approved by the FDA for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Hydroxychloroquine is safer than aspirin which causes approximately 3,000 deaths annually. I am proud to report that of the numerous patients I have treated with hydroxychloroquine for Covid-19, not a single patient required hospitalization.
It is time that the voice of physicians such as those of us involved with America’s Frontline Doctors be heard. Our patients' lives are at stake. It is time to end the censorship of physicians that disagree with the mainstream narrative. It is time to stop misleading the public about the risks, treatment, and prevention of Covid-19. It is time for us to stand up and not be silenced.