The Lighthouse®
A widely publicized study claimed that Americans could avoid as many as 130,000 Covid-19 fatalities by the end of February 2021 if the rate of mask wearing increased from its current level of 49 percent to 95 percent. This estimate of potential lives saved is a gross exaggeration, however, because the current mask-adoption rate isn’t 49 percent but 80 percent.
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By Benjamin Powell (National Review, 11/8/20)
The first round of COVID-19 lockdowns threw tens of millions worldwide out of work, decimated entire industries, and triggered waves of adverse health outcomes as many surgeries and screenings were delayed or missed. Instead of following Europe into a second round of lockdowns, the United States should focus on protecting the most vulnerable populations.
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By Morgan E. Hunter (Real Clear Education, 11/11/20)
More than 2,000 years ago, Greece and Rome wrestled with what citizenship meant, what freedom meant, and what justice meant—just as we wrestle with these issues today. Unfortunately, the Common Core State Standards Initiative has made it harder for students to learn from the classical world.
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By Ronald L. Trowbridge (The Orange County Register, 11/10/20)
California voters faced several ballot initiatives related to their basic rights and liberties. Given the high pre-election pitch emanating from the anti-freedom lobby, the outcome was more encouraging than anyone had a right to expect.
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By Richard K. Vedder (Forbes, 11/9/20)
A study from Georgetown University claims that Joe Biden’s plan for free college would pay for itself within ten years. One flaw of the report is its assumption—against all evidence—that colleges would avoid responding to the influx of new government spending by raising their prices.
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The Lighthouse® is the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute.
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Volume 22, Issue 45: November 17, 2020
By Phillip W. Magness (The Wall Street Journal, 11/11/20)
A widely publicized study claimed that Americans could avoid as many as 130,000 Covid-19 fatalities by the end of February 2021 if the rate of mask wearing increased from its current level of 49 percent to 95 percent. This estimate of potential lives saved is a gross exaggeration, however, because the current mask-adoption rate isn’t 49 percent but 80 percent.
READ MORE »
Infectious Diseases and Government Growth
By Nathan P. Goodman et al.
By Benjamin Powell (National Review, 11/8/20)
The first round of COVID-19 lockdowns threw tens of millions worldwide out of work, decimated entire industries, and triggered waves of adverse health outcomes as many surgeries and screenings were delayed or missed. Instead of following Europe into a second round of lockdowns, the United States should focus on protecting the most vulnerable populations.
READ MORE »
By Morgan E. Hunter (Real Clear Education, 11/11/20)
More than 2,000 years ago, Greece and Rome wrestled with what citizenship meant, what freedom meant, and what justice meant—just as we wrestle with these issues today. Unfortunately, the Common Core State Standards Initiative has made it harder for students to learn from the classical world.
READ MORE »
Is It Time for a “490 B.C. Project”?
High Schoolers Need to Know Our Classical Heritage
High Schoolers Need to Know Our Classical Heritage
By Morgan E. Hunter et al.
By Ronald L. Trowbridge (The Orange County Register, 11/10/20)
California voters faced several ballot initiatives related to their basic rights and liberties. Given the high pre-election pitch emanating from the anti-freedom lobby, the outcome was more encouraging than anyone had a right to expect.
READ MORE »
Open Letter to Suspend California AB-5
From 153 Economists and Political Scientists in California
From 153 Economists and Political Scientists in California
By Williamson M. Evers, David J. Theroux
By Richard K. Vedder (Forbes, 11/9/20)
A study from Georgetown University claims that Joe Biden’s plan for free college would pay for itself within ten years. One flaw of the report is its assumption—against all evidence—that colleges would avoid responding to the influx of new government spending by raising their prices.
READ MORE »
The Beacon: New Blog Posts
- Celebrities Cash In on COVID-Relief Fraud, by Craig Eyermann
- Will Pillage People Triumph Over Working People?, by K. Lloyd Billingsley
- The Presidential Election: Biden Didn’t Win; Trump Lost, by Randall G. Holcombe
- Pennsylvania Supreme Court: Aiders and Abettors in Election Fraud?, by William J. Watkins, Jr.
- Victory Over Systemic Racism Still Requires Clarification, by K. Lloyd Billingsley
- Tyler Cowen Is Wrong About Great Barrington Declaration on Lockdown Policies, by Benjamin Powell
Catalyst: New Articles
- Rampant Fraud Exposed Plaguing Stimulus Program, by Brad Polumbo
- Andrew Cuomo’s NYC COVID Shutdown Makes No Sense, by Brad Polumbo
- Don’t Abolish the Police – End Their Monopoly, by Akiva Malamet
