2021-11-19 02:00:16
Shared from a SM: Against Testing by Irenaeus
1. Strategic thinking: On its face, weekly testing is not a big deal. It’s not that invasive. There’s probably no long-term side effects. But we need to oppose everything that is good for them and seemingly neutral for us. We need to learn to deny the premise. The premise that they are putting forth is: the unvaxxed are a threat. Even though a weekly test may not seem like a big deal, it furthers their narrative. We need to oppose all measure that move the ball for them, even if its minor. Testing does not benefit us at all. It is not being offered as a compromise. It is being compelled while they sit on our RAs. If it was offered as a lesser means, that would be a different conversation.
2. Simply put, mandating testing of the unvaccinated who have submitted RAs is illegal per AFI/DoDI because it is discrimination:
a. AFPD 52-2, “1.6. An Airman's expression of sincerely held beliefs may not be used as the basis for any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion; and in so far as practicable, may not be used as a basis for making schooling, training, or assignment decisions.”
b. DoDI 1300.17, “A Service member’s expression of such beliefs may not, in so far as practicable, be used as the basis of any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion, schooling, training, or assignment.”
c. DAFI 52-201, “1.3. A member’s expression of sincerely held beliefs may not be used as the basis for any adverse personnel action, discrimination, or denial of promotion; and may not be used as a basis for making schooling, training, or assignment decisions. (T-0).”
3. Weekly testing is not being equally applied. If all SMs without distinction were required to undergo weekly testing, that would be a different conversation. They have dropped the narrative that the vaccine substantially reduces transmission. It is currently sold as a way to prevent serious illness and hospitalization and death. CDC DIRECTOR ROCHELLE WALENSKY on 6 Aug 21, "Our vaccines are working exceptionally well, they continue to work well with 'Delta' with regard to severe illness and death, but what they can't do anymore is prevent transmission." By that logic, everyone should be tested weekly. What are we doing here? Testing is supposedly to prevent the spread of illness to the force. From the horse’s mouth: as far as transmission goes, the vax don’t work.
4. I have yet to discover what form of testing is being mandated, but I understand several of the tests to be EUA. If so, the same logic can be applied that we are using for the vax. You cannot mandate what is EUA.
5. In my squadron, the “Weekly Testing Czar” is being delegated to the newest member. There is no reason why my vaccination status should be broadcast so that they can accomplish weekly testing. There may be ways to delegate this the right way, but there is a clear concern for a breach of Protected Health Information.
6. Treating SMs differently based on their vaccination status is the first step in creating 2 classes of citizens. This is a tactic to humiliate, shame and frustrate the remaining non-compliant SMs. Keep in mind, every move they make is an attempt to weaken your resolve. To predict, I wouldn’t be surprised that once you go for weekly testing that the next demand will be that you pay for it. The private sector is already doing that.
7. Appeasement is not a winning strategy. This will not stop. How well has appeasement worked thus far? Don’t let the soundbites of Brandon, Fauci, Psaki or the Surgeon General get memory holed. They claimed it would never be mandated…Agreeing to this treatment will only last for so long. They are using incremental tactics to continue moving the ball. They know what the goal is. We need to remember that we also know what their goal is and block them as best we can. We aren’t dealing with mostly good people. There are evil men and useful idiots and us.
8. This is not a compromise. It doesn’t matter that you suggested this “lesser means” in your RA.
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