The Hot Zone: EcoHealth, WHO, Bird Flu

Of the many strange phenomena we’ve observed in recent years, perhaps the strangest is that of Failing Upwards. No matter how incompetent high-profile persons and institutions show themselves to be, their wealth, power, influence, and ambitions only seem to grow. Indeed, when one is strategically positioned to benefit from emergencies and disasters, the bigger the disaster, the bigger the benefit. And so we find ourselves in an era in which catastrophes are perversely incentivized.

In this episode of the Hot Zone, we talk about the recent activities of the usual suspects, Peter Daszak and his cronies at NIAID.

In addition to these veteran mess makers, we discuss yet another gain-of-function project—this one conducted by the USDA and the Chinese Academy of Sciences to mutate H5N1 Bird Flu via serial passage through mallard ducks, Chinese geese, and Japanese quail.

As I reported in a recent Substack essay—and as McCullough Foundation intern Nic Hulscher reminded us today—the widespread H5N1 Bird Flu strain (clade 2.3.4.4b) that is now turning up in cattle belongs to the same H5N1 clade (2.3.4.4) that the @USDA has been performing gain-of-function experiments on since 2021 (around the time the current outbreak got underway). Urgent investigation is required to ensure that no laboratory leaks occurred.

A NOTE ABOUT OUR SPONSOR

This episode of the Hot Zone is sponsored by XLEAR, whose Xylitol nasal sprays cleanse the nasal passages of bacteria, viruses, allergens, and other forms of air pollution. Its hypertonic solutions alleviate swelling and open the air passages without discomfort, cleansing and hydrating at the same time.

XLEAR originated in the research of Dr. Lon Jones, who delved deeply into research from Finland about the benefits of xylitol. Impressed by these landmark Finnish studies, Dr. Jones developed a xylitol nasal spray to treat his patients who had persistent upper-respiratory infections.

Dr. Jones successfully treated his granddaughter’s ear infections, and then began dispensing the solution to other patients with ear, nose, and throat issues. The results were astounding. In 2000, Nathan Jones, Dr. Jones’ son, founded Xlear Inc. in order to make the nasal spray commercially available.

To learn more about XLEAR products, please visit the company’s website.