This is a transcript from my radio show. You can catch the full podcast here. There are a large number of proponents of ivermectin out there. And they're agitating hard for it to be used against COVID as opposed to taking the vaccine. In fact, the people who refuse to take the vaccine are the largest proponents of it. And it seems odd to me, I think we've got a vaccine that we know works. The people who say they're worried about the long-term side effects of it, don't really understand how vaccines work, I think. You tend to know the results of vaccines within months. We're well beyond the point the MRNA dies within your body. There are a lot of people who try to raise science-sounding concerns, but I think those concerns largely are illegitimate. I understand their skepticism of the vaccine. I do. I do. But I think most of the skepticism and concerns I hear raised all the time are frankly illegitimate and from people who don't know enough to know how ignorant they sound, frankly. But that doesn't mean ivermectin is something that should be dismissed.
Great article! I know a few friends of mine that can't get the vaccine due to medical reasons and none of them have gotten COVID yet. However, having options for these folks should be on the table! If the government, media and medical experts (CDC) hadn't politicized this virus then just maybe most folks would trust these entities and the whole country could STOP this panic and fear stuff! What's going to happen when the next virus comes around? All this politicization along with scare tactics are just going to keep folks afraid of every cold they catch! Illness is real, being sick is real, and nothing the medical community does will ever keep someone from getting sick some day! Put ALL the options on the table and LET THE PEOPLE decide what's best for them with the help of THEIR doctor, not some so called expert that doesn't know anything (CDC)!
People wonder why there is a lack of trust in the government, why some folks won’t just get with the program. This is a huge part of the reason. Medical decisions should be between the patient and doctor. The government has no business stepping in between. In fact when the government does it only creates more distrust. So, you end up with people who have nowhere to go and no one to trust. Is it any surprise that in the absence of readily available information people turn to whatever they can find and people they know? One thing we have all learned is that the government does not have your best interest at heart. If it did it would try any available means to help the citizens (including trusting their board certified physicians). As it is their very limited response has only increased the skepticism of many. The argument being, “If COVID was such a huge risk, we would try any and all means to stop it.”
You answered your own question in your statement "If ivermectin has a shot at helping people turn the corner, why not give it to them? We've got enough. It's cheap." There's your answer... it's cheap...so it (ivermectin) doesn't benefit Pfizer's, Moderna's or J&J's bottom line as well as the vax.
I'd venture to say that the reason that alternative therapies for Covid/Delta are not being embraced by our government is because the big three pharma corporations won't see a profit from them.
Here's an interesting podcast with Megan Murray, Harvard Epidemiologist, that has been studying the rather impressive results of BCG vaccine. It is very old, used to treat TB, has had remarkable influence in other immune system diseases (including cancer) and is used all over the world - except here in the US. Her speculation as to why that is the case is seems highly plausible.
What you are saying is no different than what most of us who don't choose to get the vaccine have been saying, except you do seem to want to label us as ignorant and fearful. There is no such thing as "following the science" as science is questioning the things that seem to be true. I read and even print out tons of information from a wide variety of sources. And I decide what is best for me. And I am seriously tired of being labeled as ignorant, fearful, anti vax, and uncaring. The virus exists and it isn't going anywhere. No one thing is suitable for everyone, so let us choose what we want to do about it.
"I'm pro-vaccine. I think you should get the vaccine. But I also wonder why we don’t take an “all of the above” approach? You're punishing doctors and nurses who don't want the vaccine. You're punishing people who want to try a medicine to avoid having to go to the hospital. And you're saying, “no, no, we would rather you die than try this other approach.” That makes no sense. It's almost as if you really don't think the pandemic is as bad as it is or that you want people to follow you in a particular way. That's not public health, that's public health bureaucrats trying to control us, not contain a virus." Right on, Erick! Our COVID toolbox contains far more than the vaccine (which my wife and I have happily taken). Ivermectin, the azithromycin/hydroxychloroquine/zinc cocktail, and monoclonal antibodies are all tools in that toolbox. While I am also no medical professional, everything I have seen or read suggests that there's more than one way to skin this cat, and that we're doing a great disservice to everyone to insist on a one size fits all approach. And, yes, allowing the control freaks and various other closet authoritarians to gain sway over we, the people is every bit as bad a move as it appears to be.
Mr. Erickson, it’s unbecoming to paint everyone who does not want THIS mRNA vaccine with a broad brushstroke and call us ignorant, especially when some of us are your followers, listeners, supporters and paying subscribers. That comment was not unlike HRC calling those who didn’t agree with her ideas a “basket of deplorables.” The majority of the over-50’s in my family, who are conservative, albeit not highly schooled, still hold sanctity of life in high regard, and we object to benefiting from an unethical vaccine. Pope Francis, in his prudential judgment, has advised one should take the vaccines, despite moral objections. But that’s all it is - his judgment; not Church teaching. Nevertheless, as responsible community members, we still try to stay healthy and not contribute to overwhelming the health system. We mask, we follow common-sense advice, but we’ve also done our research, listened to many experts (not quacks), and read more than just what the CDC and vaccine manufacturers want us to believe. They do, after all, have a vested interest. Ivermectin (IVM) is not “a horse medicine” - last I checked, they don’t award Nobel prizes to veterinary medications. Like many other medications prescribed in the USA and around the world, other purposes may be found for them that were never intended or considered, until a smarter-than-average physician actually informed herself and cared enough to figure out what’s best for her patients. Ever hear of a medication to treat angina called Viagra? Did you know it originally had a use other than helping men with ED? That’s but one example.
IVM has worked to heal four of my family members so far. In January 2021, my 33yo niece was diagnosed with COVID-19, she followed her doctor’s recommendations, using IVM protocol and quickly recovered 2-3 days later (blessed youth). Earlier this month, my 84yo Mom, my 60yo sister and her 70+yo husband all got sick. All had symptoms, all tested positive for COVID-19 with OTC home test kits. All are unvaccinated, took IVM, oseltamivir, azithromycin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen within a day of symptom onset, and all were back to health within the week. Especially at their ages and with other co-morbidities, things were only going to get worse. They were healed with IVM (prescribed by an honest, trusted medical doctor, and filled at a regular pharmacy - not the feed store) — they wouldn’t have “turned around anyway.” Who needs the gold standard of randomized control trials when real-world doctors, treating patients by the hundreds during this pandemic see positive results with this very inexpensive re-purposed drug? I will take the word of a one of those doctors any day over the advice of a bureaucrat at the NIH, CDC, et al who has not treated a patient since graduating medical school. Perhaps there’s a bias because IVM is being used by patients in third-world countries, by people who are “not us.” Heck, we’re in ‘merica where medicines aren’t any good unless buying them hurts our pockets. Remdesivir, not quite as effective as ivermectin (truthfully, pretty awful but yet highly touted by pharma and government docs), costs upwards of $3000. The lowly ivermectin doesn’t reach $10 for the multiple-day regimen. Drug studies are expensive and with ivermectin no longer being under patent, who wants to invest with no possibility of return$? It’d be like studying aspirin. I ask for your respect for those of us with different opinions but with tried and true knowledge.
Also I forgot to post this...my aunt and uncle who live in Missouri (and cling bitterly to their guns and religion on a daily basis) are both in their 70's and unvaccinated. They both got the Delta virus and were extremely sick. After a couple of ER visits within a few days, they decided to try ivermectin, HQC and zinc, etc. Within 2 days my uncle was out of bed cleaning his pool. They both survived, are fine now. Anecdotal, sure. That's all we have, since the media and government want it that way.
Erick, glad you are finally addressing this issue. Many doctors have been saying the same thing about Ivermectin (in front of Congress, even!) for over a year...why can't we try things in the early stages instead of sending people home and telling them to come back if they can't breathe?
Have you not seen the data coming out of Israel? They were vaccinated early and the antibodies are waning. The vaccinated are getting infected and getting SICK. So yeah, the vaccine "works," but for how long? Also there's an Israeli study showing that natural immunity is better long term.
Did you not see Rachel Wallensky at the WH press conference say she is concerned about waning immunity and antibody dependent enhancement? What's the answer, boosters until you die?
There are over 60 studies worldwide showing that ivermectin (and zinc, hydroxychloroquine, etc.) are effective if used early. It's not 100%, as nothing is, but like you said, why not try?
There are many reasons why people don't get the vaccine. I had Covid in March 2020. I don't need a vaccine because I have robust, God-designed natural immunity. Many people are not anti-vaccine but are concerned about safety, and that is real. Many, like me, have prior auto-immune issues and there are concerns. My wife is a 2-time breast cancer survivor and her chemo drug was hard on her heart, so we have concerns about myocarditis, which is REAL. Also, do you know any parents who have vaccine damaged kids? As in the kids who were totally normal and then got their MMR vaccine and developed autism? Unless you do, reach out and find one or two of those families and hear their story. I know one of those families, and I guarantee you those parents didn't get the vaccine, no matter whether they are Republican or Democrat.
You hit upon the key, my friend. The powers that be, seek to control the population and vaccination is their sword. They are fiercely unafraid to wield it and if not properly checked, sooner than later, I fear for our remaining civil liberties. The trouble with your argument is not the logic, sir. The problem is any curative, no matter it's promise, stands in the way of the tyranny and must be crushed, set aside, or ridiculed. They are not interested in controlling Covid. Never were. Compare their talking points today to those they held a year ago. Distrust of the virus, fear of government mandates, and so forth. Well, now the power is in their hands, and the worm has turned. They've found a prescription that works.
Six people at my church were fully vaccinated and contracted Covid. So…forgive me, but I’m not as sure of the efficacy of the vaccine as they claim it to be. Their doctors all said it was the “Delta variant”, which, it may well be. I don’t even play a doctor on TV, so what do I know?
Nor am I as sure of the safety…two church members of ours died from heart issues not long after being vaccinated, but they had long standing issues prior to the vaccination, so it could be coincidental.
I don’t know if Ivermectin works, on humans, that is…but I do know I have to halter and twitch my horses and they still fight against being dosed with it…they get CDW daily (continuous daily wormer), in pellets, which they eat with no problem, but their vet recommends Ivermectin every 6 months as an additional safeguard. The faces they make as they try to get the taste out of their mouths, funny as they are, are enough to convince me I don’t want to give it a try.
Still, I totally agree…”one size fits all” is NEVER going to work in anything, political decisions, medicine or anything else. We should be trying anything we can, and we would be, if the politicians weren’t more interested in controlling the populace than the virus, and the big pharmaceutical companies weren’t greedily eyeing having the entire population as captive customers forever.
I do not disagree with Mr. Erickson; indeed, its because of him I tend to think more criticality. I recently read an article from India (which I of course can't find now) that showed a province in India where they gave intersecting as a preventative as opposed to a cure, and they found that new cases were far lower than surrounding provinces, almost to the level of zero. While not a study, I wonder what would happen if we studied, and treated, this medicine as a prevention and not a cure. I take vitamin c and zinc daily. I can prove it, but I sure haven't gotten sick for more than a year. Of course, I also got the vaccine, so what do I know
There is a therapeutic that could make a huge impact on COVID-19, it’s name is Leronlimab. It is safe, protects the body’s immune system from attacking itself and reduces time in the hospital. It’s been tested for a different indication for 8 years and found to be safe with NO side effects. The FDA will not approve it until it completes all the trials even though it has passed the safety trials. I believe Leronlimab could have saved many lives of Covid patients. The little company that owns it, CytoDyn, may end up bankrupt before getting it approved. Big pharmaceutical companies do not want to cure disease… they want maintenance drugs with steady incomes to flourish while drugs that can cure ailments are shelved.
Erick, thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts out there. I agree with most of your commentary. But beg to differ here.
A couple of responses for you to consider. One, just because Ivermectin wasn't discovered to address COVID (over 40 years ago in Japan), doesn't mean it can't address the virus. It worked for me and my family. I can share other cases of success as well. Medications should be three things: safe, effective at doing what they are targeted to do, and not have other better alternatives before they are used.
This is the second point because Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine have been and are being used successfully by many physicians around the country to keep COVID patients out of the hospital, this is exactly why the FDA, Pharma companies and others don't want them to be used. They have made these meds harder to get (CVS and Walmart have both recently said, at least locally, they won't carry them, WHY?), and spoken poorly about them. If they are perceived as viable alternatives, there is no justification (or money) for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of an experimental vaccine with so few test cases and no history. Look to the doctors that are successfully using it rather than continuously calling it a placebo. That insults a lot of people, medical doctors, especially. I suggest you bring on a few doctors that have used these drugs onto your show and interview them.
Exactly Erick. Public health agencies don’t know individual patients as well as the patient’s personal physician. We developed our formulary which is required for use in a number of states - CA, NY, NV to name a few - based on the patients condition and phase of care. The latter being key. We know some drugs are more effective at certain points in treatment. We also know conversely that some drugs can do much harm. Opioids being a case in point. Fracture your leg on a loading dock and yes, a 3-7 day fill of an opioid can be very effective and assist with recovery. Prescribing an opioid for long-term pain leads to thousands of deaths per year. Let doctors be doctors and let politicians screw up things like Afghanistan.
This is anecdotal but my wife's cousin in India, who had Covid during the spring outbreak there, was provided AZT, zinc and Ivermectin by the local government after she was diagnosed. Now, by all accounts, she had a mild form of the disease to begin with so it may have remained mild but her symptoms resolved a couple of days after starting treatment. I believe the UK is undergoing a large scale study now on Ivermectin.
The NIH also published the following abstract on a study of close to 300 patients in Florida in January - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33065103/ They do say that more randomized trials are needed but their conclusion was that it reduced mortality (at least in the patients being studied).
Great article! I know a few friends of mine that can't get the vaccine due to medical reasons and none of them have gotten COVID yet. However, having options for these folks should be on the table! If the government, media and medical experts (CDC) hadn't politicized this virus then just maybe most folks would trust these entities and the whole country could STOP this panic and fear stuff! What's going to happen when the next virus comes around? All this politicization along with scare tactics are just going to keep folks afraid of every cold they catch! Illness is real, being sick is real, and nothing the medical community does will ever keep someone from getting sick some day! Put ALL the options on the table and LET THE PEOPLE decide what's best for them with the help of THEIR doctor, not some so called expert that doesn't know anything (CDC)!
100% ^this^!
People wonder why there is a lack of trust in the government, why some folks won’t just get with the program. This is a huge part of the reason. Medical decisions should be between the patient and doctor. The government has no business stepping in between. In fact when the government does it only creates more distrust. So, you end up with people who have nowhere to go and no one to trust. Is it any surprise that in the absence of readily available information people turn to whatever they can find and people they know? One thing we have all learned is that the government does not have your best interest at heart. If it did it would try any available means to help the citizens (including trusting their board certified physicians). As it is their very limited response has only increased the skepticism of many. The argument being, “If COVID was such a huge risk, we would try any and all means to stop it.”
You answered your own question in your statement "If ivermectin has a shot at helping people turn the corner, why not give it to them? We've got enough. It's cheap." There's your answer... it's cheap...so it (ivermectin) doesn't benefit Pfizer's, Moderna's or J&J's bottom line as well as the vax.
I'd venture to say that the reason that alternative therapies for Covid/Delta are not being embraced by our government is because the big three pharma corporations won't see a profit from them.
Here's an interesting podcast with Megan Murray, Harvard Epidemiologist, that has been studying the rather impressive results of BCG vaccine. It is very old, used to treat TB, has had remarkable influence in other immune system diseases (including cancer) and is used all over the world - except here in the US. Her speculation as to why that is the case is seems highly plausible.
https://after-on.com/episodes-31-60/056
What you are saying is no different than what most of us who don't choose to get the vaccine have been saying, except you do seem to want to label us as ignorant and fearful. There is no such thing as "following the science" as science is questioning the things that seem to be true. I read and even print out tons of information from a wide variety of sources. And I decide what is best for me. And I am seriously tired of being labeled as ignorant, fearful, anti vax, and uncaring. The virus exists and it isn't going anywhere. No one thing is suitable for everyone, so let us choose what we want to do about it.
"I'm pro-vaccine. I think you should get the vaccine. But I also wonder why we don’t take an “all of the above” approach? You're punishing doctors and nurses who don't want the vaccine. You're punishing people who want to try a medicine to avoid having to go to the hospital. And you're saying, “no, no, we would rather you die than try this other approach.” That makes no sense. It's almost as if you really don't think the pandemic is as bad as it is or that you want people to follow you in a particular way. That's not public health, that's public health bureaucrats trying to control us, not contain a virus." Right on, Erick! Our COVID toolbox contains far more than the vaccine (which my wife and I have happily taken). Ivermectin, the azithromycin/hydroxychloroquine/zinc cocktail, and monoclonal antibodies are all tools in that toolbox. While I am also no medical professional, everything I have seen or read suggests that there's more than one way to skin this cat, and that we're doing a great disservice to everyone to insist on a one size fits all approach. And, yes, allowing the control freaks and various other closet authoritarians to gain sway over we, the people is every bit as bad a move as it appears to be.
Mr. Erickson, it’s unbecoming to paint everyone who does not want THIS mRNA vaccine with a broad brushstroke and call us ignorant, especially when some of us are your followers, listeners, supporters and paying subscribers. That comment was not unlike HRC calling those who didn’t agree with her ideas a “basket of deplorables.” The majority of the over-50’s in my family, who are conservative, albeit not highly schooled, still hold sanctity of life in high regard, and we object to benefiting from an unethical vaccine. Pope Francis, in his prudential judgment, has advised one should take the vaccines, despite moral objections. But that’s all it is - his judgment; not Church teaching. Nevertheless, as responsible community members, we still try to stay healthy and not contribute to overwhelming the health system. We mask, we follow common-sense advice, but we’ve also done our research, listened to many experts (not quacks), and read more than just what the CDC and vaccine manufacturers want us to believe. They do, after all, have a vested interest. Ivermectin (IVM) is not “a horse medicine” - last I checked, they don’t award Nobel prizes to veterinary medications. Like many other medications prescribed in the USA and around the world, other purposes may be found for them that were never intended or considered, until a smarter-than-average physician actually informed herself and cared enough to figure out what’s best for her patients. Ever hear of a medication to treat angina called Viagra? Did you know it originally had a use other than helping men with ED? That’s but one example.
IVM has worked to heal four of my family members so far. In January 2021, my 33yo niece was diagnosed with COVID-19, she followed her doctor’s recommendations, using IVM protocol and quickly recovered 2-3 days later (blessed youth). Earlier this month, my 84yo Mom, my 60yo sister and her 70+yo husband all got sick. All had symptoms, all tested positive for COVID-19 with OTC home test kits. All are unvaccinated, took IVM, oseltamivir, azithromycin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen within a day of symptom onset, and all were back to health within the week. Especially at their ages and with other co-morbidities, things were only going to get worse. They were healed with IVM (prescribed by an honest, trusted medical doctor, and filled at a regular pharmacy - not the feed store) — they wouldn’t have “turned around anyway.” Who needs the gold standard of randomized control trials when real-world doctors, treating patients by the hundreds during this pandemic see positive results with this very inexpensive re-purposed drug? I will take the word of a one of those doctors any day over the advice of a bureaucrat at the NIH, CDC, et al who has not treated a patient since graduating medical school. Perhaps there’s a bias because IVM is being used by patients in third-world countries, by people who are “not us.” Heck, we’re in ‘merica where medicines aren’t any good unless buying them hurts our pockets. Remdesivir, not quite as effective as ivermectin (truthfully, pretty awful but yet highly touted by pharma and government docs), costs upwards of $3000. The lowly ivermectin doesn’t reach $10 for the multiple-day regimen. Drug studies are expensive and with ivermectin no longer being under patent, who wants to invest with no possibility of return$? It’d be like studying aspirin. I ask for your respect for those of us with different opinions but with tried and true knowledge.
Also I forgot to post this...my aunt and uncle who live in Missouri (and cling bitterly to their guns and religion on a daily basis) are both in their 70's and unvaccinated. They both got the Delta virus and were extremely sick. After a couple of ER visits within a few days, they decided to try ivermectin, HQC and zinc, etc. Within 2 days my uncle was out of bed cleaning his pool. They both survived, are fine now. Anecdotal, sure. That's all we have, since the media and government want it that way.
Erick, glad you are finally addressing this issue. Many doctors have been saying the same thing about Ivermectin (in front of Congress, even!) for over a year...why can't we try things in the early stages instead of sending people home and telling them to come back if they can't breathe?
Have you not seen the data coming out of Israel? They were vaccinated early and the antibodies are waning. The vaccinated are getting infected and getting SICK. So yeah, the vaccine "works," but for how long? Also there's an Israeli study showing that natural immunity is better long term.
Did you not see Rachel Wallensky at the WH press conference say she is concerned about waning immunity and antibody dependent enhancement? What's the answer, boosters until you die?
There are over 60 studies worldwide showing that ivermectin (and zinc, hydroxychloroquine, etc.) are effective if used early. It's not 100%, as nothing is, but like you said, why not try?
There are many reasons why people don't get the vaccine. I had Covid in March 2020. I don't need a vaccine because I have robust, God-designed natural immunity. Many people are not anti-vaccine but are concerned about safety, and that is real. Many, like me, have prior auto-immune issues and there are concerns. My wife is a 2-time breast cancer survivor and her chemo drug was hard on her heart, so we have concerns about myocarditis, which is REAL. Also, do you know any parents who have vaccine damaged kids? As in the kids who were totally normal and then got their MMR vaccine and developed autism? Unless you do, reach out and find one or two of those families and hear their story. I know one of those families, and I guarantee you those parents didn't get the vaccine, no matter whether they are Republican or Democrat.
You hit upon the key, my friend. The powers that be, seek to control the population and vaccination is their sword. They are fiercely unafraid to wield it and if not properly checked, sooner than later, I fear for our remaining civil liberties. The trouble with your argument is not the logic, sir. The problem is any curative, no matter it's promise, stands in the way of the tyranny and must be crushed, set aside, or ridiculed. They are not interested in controlling Covid. Never were. Compare their talking points today to those they held a year ago. Distrust of the virus, fear of government mandates, and so forth. Well, now the power is in their hands, and the worm has turned. They've found a prescription that works.
Six people at my church were fully vaccinated and contracted Covid. So…forgive me, but I’m not as sure of the efficacy of the vaccine as they claim it to be. Their doctors all said it was the “Delta variant”, which, it may well be. I don’t even play a doctor on TV, so what do I know?
Nor am I as sure of the safety…two church members of ours died from heart issues not long after being vaccinated, but they had long standing issues prior to the vaccination, so it could be coincidental.
I don’t know if Ivermectin works, on humans, that is…but I do know I have to halter and twitch my horses and they still fight against being dosed with it…they get CDW daily (continuous daily wormer), in pellets, which they eat with no problem, but their vet recommends Ivermectin every 6 months as an additional safeguard. The faces they make as they try to get the taste out of their mouths, funny as they are, are enough to convince me I don’t want to give it a try.
Still, I totally agree…”one size fits all” is NEVER going to work in anything, political decisions, medicine or anything else. We should be trying anything we can, and we would be, if the politicians weren’t more interested in controlling the populace than the virus, and the big pharmaceutical companies weren’t greedily eyeing having the entire population as captive customers forever.
I do not disagree with Mr. Erickson; indeed, its because of him I tend to think more criticality. I recently read an article from India (which I of course can't find now) that showed a province in India where they gave intersecting as a preventative as opposed to a cure, and they found that new cases were far lower than surrounding provinces, almost to the level of zero. While not a study, I wonder what would happen if we studied, and treated, this medicine as a prevention and not a cure. I take vitamin c and zinc daily. I can prove it, but I sure haven't gotten sick for more than a year. Of course, I also got the vaccine, so what do I know
There is a therapeutic that could make a huge impact on COVID-19, it’s name is Leronlimab. It is safe, protects the body’s immune system from attacking itself and reduces time in the hospital. It’s been tested for a different indication for 8 years and found to be safe with NO side effects. The FDA will not approve it until it completes all the trials even though it has passed the safety trials. I believe Leronlimab could have saved many lives of Covid patients. The little company that owns it, CytoDyn, may end up bankrupt before getting it approved. Big pharmaceutical companies do not want to cure disease… they want maintenance drugs with steady incomes to flourish while drugs that can cure ailments are shelved.
Erick, thanks for taking the time to put your thoughts out there. I agree with most of your commentary. But beg to differ here.
A couple of responses for you to consider. One, just because Ivermectin wasn't discovered to address COVID (over 40 years ago in Japan), doesn't mean it can't address the virus. It worked for me and my family. I can share other cases of success as well. Medications should be three things: safe, effective at doing what they are targeted to do, and not have other better alternatives before they are used.
This is the second point because Ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine have been and are being used successfully by many physicians around the country to keep COVID patients out of the hospital, this is exactly why the FDA, Pharma companies and others don't want them to be used. They have made these meds harder to get (CVS and Walmart have both recently said, at least locally, they won't carry them, WHY?), and spoken poorly about them. If they are perceived as viable alternatives, there is no justification (or money) for an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) of an experimental vaccine with so few test cases and no history. Look to the doctors that are successfully using it rather than continuously calling it a placebo. That insults a lot of people, medical doctors, especially. I suggest you bring on a few doctors that have used these drugs onto your show and interview them.
Exactly Erick. Public health agencies don’t know individual patients as well as the patient’s personal physician. We developed our formulary which is required for use in a number of states - CA, NY, NV to name a few - based on the patients condition and phase of care. The latter being key. We know some drugs are more effective at certain points in treatment. We also know conversely that some drugs can do much harm. Opioids being a case in point. Fracture your leg on a loading dock and yes, a 3-7 day fill of an opioid can be very effective and assist with recovery. Prescribing an opioid for long-term pain leads to thousands of deaths per year. Let doctors be doctors and let politicians screw up things like Afghanistan.
This is anecdotal but my wife's cousin in India, who had Covid during the spring outbreak there, was provided AZT, zinc and Ivermectin by the local government after she was diagnosed. Now, by all accounts, she had a mild form of the disease to begin with so it may have remained mild but her symptoms resolved a couple of days after starting treatment. I believe the UK is undergoing a large scale study now on Ivermectin.
The NIH also published the following abstract on a study of close to 300 patients in Florida in January - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33065103/ They do say that more randomized trials are needed but their conclusion was that it reduced mortality (at least in the patients being studied).