In this monologue, Dennis Prager reflects on the fragility of civilization and expresses a personal stance of perpetual gratitude, emphasizing how quickly societal structures can collapse. He shifts focus to the economic suffering caused by the COVID‑19 pandemic, highlighting the plight of small businesses in the United States and the massive impact of lockdowns in India, framing it as a moral dilemma. Prager critiques the World Health Organization, labeling it a "World Hysterical Organization" and argues that its reported global mortality rate (3.4%) is inflated. He references a Haaretz article titled "Trump is right about the coronavirus The WHO is wrong, says Israeli expert," introducing Dr. Dan Yamin, an Israeli epidemiologist with a Yale postdoctoral background, who estimates the virus’s mortality at about 0.45% based on South Korean data, suggesting cautious optimism. The talk also touches on political figures such as Donald Trump and Andrew Cuomo, using their statements to contrast perspectives on pandemic response. Throughout, Prager blends personal philosophy, economic concerns, and epidemiological critique to argue for a more measured view of the pandemic’s risks.
Chapters
Think about that. The things that we took for granted. I, I, I know this will sound awful because it sounds so self-referential, but if you've listened to me at all, you know I walk around in a perpetual state of gratitude. And I, because I know how everything can be lost overnight. I just know it. I don't feel it. I don't suspect it'll happen. I don't walk around pessimistic. I simply know The fragility of civilization. That's why when civilizations are battered from within, as ours has been and will continue to be, uh, I worry because I know how everything can change in such a fast— in such a small period of time. That's, uh, a realization deep in my soul and my consciousness. That is why we have the motto at this show, "If nothing's horrific, life is terrific." Now you realize how accurate that is. Now, does this qualify as horrific? Obviously, for those suffering, it is horrific, actually. And I don't only mean those suffering from the coronavirus. Most people suffering from the coronavirus don't even know that they have it, so they're not suffering. I mean, obviously those there are who are terribly suffering, but I'm actually referring to the many, many millions who are suffering economically. That's a very serious form of suffering. The dismissal of this as, oh, Republicans only care about the stock market, means that they don't care about the average guy whose restaurant is closed, the average waiter. I don't know anybody who is preoccupied with the suffering, the economic suffering, who is thinking about their stocks only. Or even their stocks at all. We're thinking about the small businesses, not only the heart and soul of the economy, they are the heart and soul of America. The entrepreneur, the man or woman who starts a business, puts their life into it, and then out of nowhere, well, no, not really, out of China, comes this virus. Is the world's response— India, 1.2 billion people, I believe, is being shut down for 3 weeks or a month. Which one is it? 3 weeks, let's say. Do you know what's suffering these people? There are so many people in India, hundreds of millions, who were on the brink of abject poverty to begin with. They, they won't be paid anything. I don't know what they'll do. It's a very, very real question. It's a moral dilemma. It is not the Andrew Cuomo belief that if we save one life, it is all worth it. He said something analogous. I should have marked it. I do so much reading. By the way, you really should all get my— read my column Suggestions for This Difficult Time. I should go through those suggestions to make it an easier time for you. I will. I'll call up the article. I have another thick stack of things to bring to your attention. The Israel equivalent of the New York Times is Haaretz. Haaretz is a left-wing and prestigious paper like the New York Times is a left-wing prestigious paper. So I just want you to know where the source is. This is the headline. I, I couldn't believe it that this would be— they hate Donald Trump, they hate Benjamin Netanyahu. And here's the title: Trump is right about the coronavirus The WHO is wrong, says Israeli expert. Did you catch that article? Is that astonishing? Trump is right, who is wrong? Who's on first? It is about Dr. Dan Yamin. Dr. Dan Yamin. Encountered the first real epidemiological crisis while doing postdoctoral work at the Center of Infectious Disease Modeling and Analysis at Yale University's School of Public Health. All right, so those are the, your credentials of Dr. Yamin. Yamin currently heads the Laboratory for Epidemic Modeling and Analysis at Tel Aviv University's engineering faculty. His primary field of work is development of models for the spread of infectious diseases with an emphasis on viruses responsible for respiratory ailments such as flu and RSV, respiratory syncytial virus. Which causes bronchitis. He is actually somewhat optimistic about the model he has developed for the spread of the coronavirus, which is also a respiratory disease. With the majority of viruses, if you're infected, this is him speaking, and you have recovered, you won't be reinfected because of immunological memory. And if you are infected again, the symptoms will be less acute the second time. The exception to the rule is influenza, the regular flu, if you will. Its mutation frequency is so high that you can be infected by it year after year. Last year alone, the flu underwent 17 mutations. I continue now with his— with what he— with the report. Now listen to this. I bold what I read to you, and I underline on rare occasions for truly, truly important points. And I quote Dr. Yamin: The actual number of people who are sick with the virus in South Korea is at least double what's being reported. So the chance of dying is at least twice as low, standing at about 0.45%, very far from the World Health Organization's global mortality figure of 3.4%. And that's already a reason for cautious optimism. Less than half of 1% is the mortality rate according to this epidemiological Yale postdoctoral Tel Aviv University scholar. Remember what I said the very— in the very beginning? WHO should stand for World Hysterical Organization.
