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WHO

Car crashed in a school zone in front of sheriffs car | ID 146587716 © Mathayward | Dreamstime.com

Alcohol

Will Cutting the BAC Limit to .05 Really Make Our Roads Safer?

Utah’s experiment with stricter drunk driving laws has led to more fatalities, not fewer. The push for lower BAC limits is missing the real problem.

C. Jarrett Dieterle | 9.21.2024 7:00 AM

Whiskey being poured into a rocks glass over ice, with a few dollar bills on the bar underneath. | Donfiore | Dreamstime.com

Alcohol

WHO Calls for Punitive Booze and Soda Taxes on the Anniversary of Prohibition Repeal

Nannies never fall out of love with failed authoritarianism and curbs on freedom of choice.

J.D. Tuccille | 12.8.2023 7:00 AM

stossel | Stossel TV/NIAID

Pandemic

Don't Bring Back COVID Authoritarianism

People should be free to choose how cautious to be. Mask mandates, lockdowns, and closing schools won't stop the virus.

John Stossel | 8.30.2023 12:30 AM

Matt Ridley | Nathalie Walker

Coronavirus

Matt Ridley: Why Did Anthony Fauci et al. Suppress the Lab Leak Theory?

A recent House committee investigation exposed political interference when it came to figuring out the origins of COVID. But why?

Nick Gillespie and Zach Weissmueller | 7.21.2023 4:54 PM

A woman with blonde hair opening a plastic bottle of Diet Coke. | Photo 46304455 © Seanlockephotography | Dreamstime.com

Health

Diet Coke Isn't Going To Give You Cancer

Despite a World Health Organization report that says artificial sweetener aspartame is maybe, possibly, carcinogenic.

Guy Bentley | 7.14.2023 2:30 PM

World Health Organization building logo | CHINE NOUVELLE/SIPA/Newscom

Nanny State

WHO's Absurd Claim That Tobacco Farming Is Causing Children To Starve

The organization has a long history of pushing bogus anti-tobacco claims.

Christian Britschgi | 6.1.2023 6:00 PM

The World Health Organization has made official what most Americans already know: The COVID-19 public health emergency is over. | ID 209689828 © Rsndetre | Dreamstime

Coronavirus

WHO Declares Global COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Over

It's been over for most Americans for a long time already.

Ronald Bailey | 5.5.2023 1:10 PM

John Stossel stands in front of coronavirus particles with caution tape and a sign for COVID-19 restrictions | Stossel TV

Coronavirus

Lockdowns Had Little Impact on COVID-19

Data show Florida and New York had similar death numbers despite vastly different approaches.

John Stossel | 1.11.2023 12:00 PM

Photo of Leana Wen overlaid on red and black and gray striped backgrounds | Illustration: Lex Villena; Kris Tripplaar/Sipa USA/Newscom

Coronavirus

Leana Wen Accused of 'Unsafe, Ableist, Fatphobic, and Unethical Practices' for Opposing COVID Mandates

The left-leaning commentator wants to get back to normal. So more than 600 experts want to censor her.

Billy Binion | 8.24.2022 4:15 PM

Monkey climbing in a habitat |  Mario Madrona Barrera/Dreamstime.com

Public Health

Public Health Officials Who Didn't Stop Global Monkeypox Outbreak Now Say the Name Is Problematic

The WHO said it will rename the virus after researchers complained that the current name is "stigmatizing" and "discriminatory."

Christian Britschgi | 6.15.2022 3:10 PM

The Wuhan Institute of Virology in Wuhan, China | Kyodo/Newscom

Coronavirus

COVID-19 'Lab Leak' Origin Theory Merits Further Investigation, Says New WHO Report

But the Chinese government continues to stonewall independent investigations.

Ronald Bailey | 6.10.2022 12:15 PM

haydn-golden-WUbFp7l75Bs-unsplash | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@goldensson?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Haydn Golden</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/s/photos/lockdown?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Pandemic

At High Cost, COVID-19 Lockdowns Saved Few Lives

“Lockdown policies are ill-founded and should be rejected as a pandemic policy instrument.”

J.D. Tuccille | 2.4.2022 7:00 AM

lableak

Coronavirus

Was It a Lab Leak? The Mysterious Origin of COVID-19

Matt Ridley and Alina Chan, authors of the new book Viral: The Search for the Origin of COVID-19, say the preponderance of evidence now points toward a lab origin and genetic engineering.

Zach Weissmueller | 11.18.2021 11:10 AM

Rochelle-Walensky-5-22-21-d-Newscom | CNP/AdMedia/Sipa/Newscom

Coronavirus

The CDC Rightly Contradicts the WHO's Absurdly Cautious Mask Advice for Vaccinated People

Los Angeles County is nevertheless aping the WHO by recommending universal masking "to be extra safe."

Jacob Sullum | 7.2.2021 2:15 PM

cannabis-leaves-20-MIS-Photography | MIS Photography

Marijuana

The 9th Circuit Considers Whether the DEA's Classification of Marijuana Violates Federalism and the Separation of Powers

The puzzle of marijuana's Schedule I status invites a reconsideration of the agency's vast discretion to decide which substances should be prohibited.

Jacob Sullum | 6.10.2021 2:50 PM

stevenjohnson | PBS

Coronavirus

Steven Johnson: How We Doubled Life Expectancy in the 20th Century

The Extra Life author on past scientific breakthroughs, COVID-19 vaccines, and renewing trust and confidence in public health agencies.

Nick Gillespie | 6.9.2021 5:00 PM

blake-guidry-jXxdtXFEjcc-unsplash | Photo by <a href="https://unsplash.com/@blakeguidry?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Blake Guidry</a> on <a href="https://unsplash.com/?utm_source=unsplash&utm_medium=referral&utm_content=creditCopyText">Unsplash</a>

Coronavirus

Vaccine Passports Will Outlast the Pandemic

The flawed documents seem destined to be part of life long after the reason for their existence is gone.

J.D. Tuccille | 5.12.2021 7:00 AM

featurebailey | Illustration: Joanna Andreasson

Coronavirus

Ronald Bailey: Covid-19 Should Be Our Last Pandemic

Technological breakthroughs mean we'll never again have to suffer with disasters like the novel coronavirus—if politicians will get out of the way.

Nick Gillespie | 3.31.2021 5:35 PM

Tedros | Xinhua / Xinhua News Agency/Newscom

Coronavirus

WHO Chief Questions His Own Agency's Report on the Origins of COVID-19

"I do not believe that this assessment was extensive enough."

Ronald Bailey | 3.30.2021 3:30 PM

zumaamericastwentyeight796448 | Jakub Porzycki/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

WHO Joins Top Epidemiologists in Emphasizing Harm Caused by Lockdowns

Months into the pandemic, we’re finally getting a real debate over the right way to fight the virus.

J.D. Tuccille | 10.14.2020 12:50 PM

topicsscience | Fly_dragonfly/iStock

Science

More Countries Should Pay Plasma Donors

Most foreign countries refuse to pay for plasma because of outmoded guidance from the World Health Organization, so much of the world relies on the U.S.'s paid plasma donors.

Peter Jaworski | 9.10.2020 6:00 AM

westendrf516435 | Mosuno Media Westend61/Newscom

Money

Cash Remains Healthy as the Pandemic Rages

People like the convenience of digital transactions, but they rely on the anonymity and reliability of physical money.

J.D. Tuccille | 7.15.2020 11:30 AM

sipaphotosten883470 | ames Matsumoto / SOPA Images/Si/Newscom

Reason Roundup

239 Scientists Ask WHO To Change Its Position on How COVID-19 Spreads Through Air

Plus: debunking antitrust myths, defunding U.S. Air Marshals, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 7.6.2020 9:30 AM

Plasma donation | BILL GREENBLATT/UPI/Newscom

Blood Donors

Americans Get Paid To Donate Plasma. Everyone Else Should Too

Our secret weapon against COVID-19 could be cold, hard cash.

Peter Jaworski | 7.2.2020 8:30 AM

sipaphotosten834877 | Sergei Fadeichev/TASS/Sipa USA/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Is Asymptomatic Spread of COVID-19 Very Rare? Depends How You Define 'Asymptomatic'

Plus: Netflix out-trademarks the U.S. government, contraception shortages, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 6.9.2020 9:30 AM

WetMarkets | Anthony Behar/Sipa USA/Newscom

Coronavirus

The WHO Is Right To Reject Calls To Ban So-Called 'Wet Markets'

Wet markets should be made safer, not driven underground.

Baylen Linnekin | 5.16.2020 8:30 AM

zumaamericastwentyseven402799 | Eduardo Sanz/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Coronavirus

WHO Deletes Misleading Tweet That Spread Paranoia About COVID-19 Reinfection

"The thread caused some concern & we would like to clarify."

Robby Soave | 4.26.2020 4:17 PM

thumbv1 | Lex Villena

Coronavirus

How China Corrupted the World Health Organization's Response to COVID-19

Trump isn't absolved of his own failures in confronting the pandemic, but the WHO's response to the coronavirus destroyed much of its credibility and damaged the field of public health.

Zach Weissmueller | 4.15.2020 1:40 PM

reason-WHO | Chen Junxia Xinhua News Agency/Newscom

Coronavirus

The WHO Helped Spread Chinese Communist Lies About COVID-19. Now It's Lecturing People About Drinking During Quarantine.

The WHO arguably failed at its most basic mission of stopping the spread of a global pandemic, but it's still willing to hector people about their drinking habits.

Christian Britschgi | 4.15.2020 12:50 PM

74681945_m |  Iuri Silvestre

Coronavirus

Trump Vows to Cut Off U.S. Funding to the World Health Organization

"We have deep concerns whether America's generosity has been put to the best use possible."

Brian Doherty | 4.14.2020 8:00 PM

coronavirusresponse_1161x653 | Anyaivanova / Dreamstime.com

Coronavirus

Public Health Authorities Have Failed America at Every Level

They ignored early warning signs and pretended that everything would be OK.

Shikha Dalmia | 4.13.2020 2:00 PM

MASK_SS

Coronavirus

Health Care Workers Need Masks (and the Rest of Us Need Them, Too)

DIY manufacturers scramble to reduce shortages, as public health officials send mixed messages about the efficacy of broader use.

Zach Weissmueller | 3.31.2020 1:31 PM

Balaji Still

Coronavirus

Balaji Srinivasan: Coronavirus Will Shape This Decade Like 9/11 Shaped the 2000s

The biotech entrepreneur and Silicon Valley visionary wants mandatory quarantines and a "digital Dunkirk" rescue operation.

Nick Gillespie and Austin Bragg | 3.12.2020 12:35 PM

xnaphotostwo174569 | Ding Ting Xinhua News Agency/Newscom

Coronavirus

China's Coronavirus Censorship Hurts Public Health

Efforts to control the flow of information fail, but they muddle the quality of what people share in defiance of the censors.

J.D. Tuccille | 2.4.2020 7:30 AM

zumaamericasfifteen293955 | Yui Mok/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Reason Roundup

Banned Microplastics Pose No Risk to Human Health, Says World Health Organization

Plus: More on the 1619 Project, a chart shows how crazy U.S. military spending is, and more...

Elizabeth Nolan Brown | 8.22.2019 9:40 AM

Large image on homepages

CRISPR

Global Gene-Edited Baby Ban Urged

Why should an international panel of experts get to decide if you will be allowed to gene-edit your kids?

Ronald Bailey | 3.14.2019 6:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Richard Gray/ZUMA Press/Newscom

Video Games

My Teenage Video Game Obsession Wasn't 'Gaming Disorder'

I was a gay teen in the 1980s, hiding from a terrifying world in an arcade. The WHO's push to uniquely pathologize gaming won't help people like me.

Scott Shackford | 6.20.2018 2:35 PM

Large image on homepages

Tobacco

The World Health Organization's Tough Tactics Against Tobacco and E-Cigs

The United Nations' public health agency achieves consensus through mass detentions and media censorship.

Todd Krainin | 11.21.2016 12:00 PM

Large image on homepages | Ocusfocus / Dreamstime.com

Soda Taxes

Why the World Health Organization is Wrong on Soda Taxes

WHO's proposal that countries enact steep fees globally is wrong and unjustified.

Baylen Linnekin | 10.15.2016 8:00 AM

Large image on homepages | United State Mission Geneva / Wikimedia Commons

WHO

WHO Worries Africans are Getting Too Fat

Suggests taxing their sodas to help

Christian Britschgi | 10.13.2016 11:45 AM

Large image on homepages

Coffee

Coffee Not a Possible Human Carcinogen After All

Absurdly precautionary International Agency for Research on Cancer admits it was wrong

Ronald Bailey | 6.15.2016 12:04 PM

Large image on homepages

Glyphosate

Glyphosate Not a Cancer Risk, Concludes FAO and WHO Expert Panel

Roundup "unlikely to pose a carcinogenic risk to humans"

Ronald Bailey | 5.16.2016 1:50 PM

Large image on homepages

Policy

World Health Organization: No Kids Should See Films That Show Smoking

World Health Organization is fighting to bar children from seeing smoking in films without a guardian. As far as Zika virus goes, there is plenty of international coordinating to do.

Brian Doherty | 2.3.2016 11:14 PM

Large image on homepages | Didriks / photo on flickr

Policy

Eat Food and Die

What happens when warnings about processed meat's cancer risk collides with California's absurd Prop 65 (over)warning law?

Baylen Linnekin | 11.14.2015 8:00 AM

Large image on homepages

WHO

Friday Funnies: Hot Dog Cancer Link Denial

Chip Bok | 10.30.2015 7:00 AM

Large image on homepages

Meat

Your Bacon Risk of Cancer, From Wired

Meanwhile PETA offers you a free vegan starter kit and a vegan mentor

Ronald Bailey | 10.27.2015 12:03 PM

Large image on homepages

Meat

Meat Eaters Beware: Carnivory Declared Cancerous

Bacon, ham, and sausage are especially hazardous (and tasty).

Ronald Bailey | 10.26.2015 12:40 PM

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