Cali bill – revoke license of physicians who promote Covid-19 disinformation | Hacker News Reader

Cali bill – revoke license of physicians who promote Covid-19 disinformation

leginfo.legislature.ca.gov

19 pointsSQL221923 comments

> This bill would designate the dissemination or promotion of misinformation or disinformation related to the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, or “COVID-19,” as unprofessional conduct. The bill would require the board to consider specified factors prior to bringing a disciplinary action against a physician and surgeon. The bill would also make findings and declarations in this regard.

They really need to separate the two definitions.

- Misinformation - False information that is spread regardless of intent to mislead.

- Disinformation - False information that is spread with intent to mislead.

The latter is harmful. Everyone agrees this is unprofessional conduct. The former however? That's the world being ignorant today when there's many unknowns about covid we're still seeking answers to.

If doctors are only allowed to parrot whatever the current narrative is, why even have them? This is such a dangerous road to go down, the US will tear itself in two if things don't change course.

They should also lose their licenses for the misinformation of hand-washing before surgical procedures: https://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/01/12/3756639...

You don't believe care providers should be required to utilize best available science? Please, completely overturn our entire system of tort and malpractice.

Pass the popcorn.

If they told you to follow cdc advice… that’s even worse than disinformation is actively dangerous to yourself and others

You needed the CDC to tell you that you should isolate, wear masks, get vaccinated?

Not but I didn’t need them telling my coworkers to come to work while infectious

Who decides what the best available science is? It certainly seems to me right now that "best available science" means "whatever the people in charge say". Here's a question for you while we are passing the popcorn, if this is our "entire system of tort and malpractice", why do they need this special law?

Who would you rather decide?

I feel like my doctor is in a better position to decide, if I don't like the results I can find a new doctor. If things continue on their current course that will no longer be an option as every doctor will be afraid to use their actual training and skill for fear of losing their license. You are absolutely free to follow the CDC advice, you are likewise free to find a doctor that does the same. I believe I should have the same freedom to decide.

What is the great fear here? That people will keep going to doctors that actively kill them? Do you believe the general public is just too ill informed to know if their doctor is helping or not? Would a doctor who consistently gives bad medical advice and has bad patient outcomes continue to get patients? Is the risk of that happening worth handing over medical decisions to legislators who have no medical training?

Ah, yes, The Science, that holy writ that was passed down from the hand of God Almighty at the beginning of all things and that has not changed one iota since.

You'd prefer omniscient care providers? Me too! Know any?

I would prefer for different doctors to have the freedom to try out different techniques. Then we can measure which methods appear to work and which don't, and I can make my decisions based on that

That assumes that every care provider can perform the best available science. So it’s already an illogical proposition you’re standing on.

At the benefit of great leeway, it’s highly unlikely that what you’re saying is realistically possible.

There is a wide range of skill, and the “Science” is a moving goal post.

Additionally, the bill and lobbyists can dictate what passes as “legal or illegal” without medical knowledge, training, or history of practice in the profession or industry. This is an attack vector to corruption.

You seem to know how it all works. You should be in charge. Just the rest of us what's right & wrong, good & bad.

That’s the spirit! Now you’re talking!

Physicians are repair technicians. Would you want your auto mechanic going against what the manufacturer recommends for regular maintenance?

No, but the CDC isn't my manufacturer so I'm not sure this applies.

(e) Major news outlets have reported that some of the most dangerous propagators of inaccurate information regarding the COVID-19 vaccines are licensed health care professionals.

(f) The Federation of State Medical Boards has released a statement warning that physicians who engage in the dissemination of COVID-19 vaccine misinformation or disinformation risk losing their medical license, and that physicians have a duty to provide their patients with accurate, science-based information.

Should the doctors who disagreed with the official information from the government that masks were not important have their licenses revoked? Seems only fair.

Except they were right. With the recent admission that the virus is airborne it is obvious that 99% of masks used by the public were useless, as all health officials first stated before mandating them. Same as social distancing, disinfecting surfaces... All unnecessary theatre

And just the "if you have COVID stay at home for 10 days and do NOTHING, unless you start feeling very unwell" is pretty bad advice anyway, I will always prefer to have any existing working treatment for other virus than nothing

So everyone else be hold accountable, not doctors trying to do the best

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=30939200

The official position was not that the average mask worn by the public was useless, but that masks were. If a doctor suggested a properly fitted n95 protects against covid they would have been spreading information that was contrary to the the governments position.

I am not sure the purpose of your link. The WHO was very slow in accepting the virus is airborne. Surely that should show that doctors who are against the authorities are sometimes correct and by removing their license you would be in the wrong.

So the doctors recommending masks should be disbarred?

Reply on news.ycombinator.com