Tulsa City Councilor Cass Fahler says he owes Mayor G.T. Bynum an apology.
Asked on a podcast recently what things Bynum does that are not conservative, Fahler pointed to the city’s mask mandate, calling it “the icing on the cake, the icing on the icing.”
Then he went all in.
“The conservative citizens, the silent majority, are at a point where they are fed up,” Fahler said. “They are going to endorse, back and support his opponent even if the person is on the far left side.
“They say they would rather have a lion in the open than a snake in the grass.”
Fahler’s remarks were in keeping with the tone and tenor of the “ThriveTime Show.”
Other contributors to the broadcast suggested that billionaire George Soros is behind the recent protests across the country, that masks are ineffective in preventing the spread of COVID-19, and that Bynum is holding video conferences with Dr. Anthony Fauci.
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And Fahler, in response to questions from host Clay Clark and other guests, also had this to offer.
“We are forcing mandates upon the citizens where we have got roughly a 1 percent infection rate on this COVID issue right now,” he said. “According to a National Geographic statistic, you are just as likely to get bitten by a shark or get struck by lightning and killed.
“It’s a terrible action being done by us on the citizens of Tulsa. Are we going to get to the place where we are going to make you get inside in the middle of a storm?”
The District 5 councilor said the “snake in the grass” comment was what he’s been hearing from members of conservative groups he’s met with on the campaign trail.
The city’s municipal elections are scheduled for Aug. 25, and both Fahler and Bynum are running for reelection.
“While it was said to me, it probably wasn’t right for me to repeat it in public, and that is my error,” Fahler said. “I have not had an opportunity to visit with the mayor about it, but I owe him an apology for repeating that and making it public.”
Fahler said he found the National Geographic numbers while googling for information about the likelihood of contracting COVID-19. A Tulsa World search found a 2005 article in the magazine that says the odds of being hit by lightning in the U.S. in a year are 1 in 700,000.
In Tulsa County, Fahler noted, about 1.65% of the county’s more than 650,000 residents have tested positive for COVID-19. The Tulsa Health Department reported the same figure Tuesday.
“I think those odds are real similar,” Fahler said.
However, 1.65% of 650,000 residents would mean approximately 10,725 people out of those 650,000 residents have contracted the virus — not close to 1 in 700,000.
As for the likelihood of being bit by a snake, the city councilor said he could not recall where those numbers came from.
Fahler said he does not believe that George Soros is behind the protests sweeping through the country in the wake of the George Floyd killing, nor does he necessarily question the effectiveness of masks.
“I understand that there are different types of masks that provide different levels of protection, and I totally get that,” he said. “I don’t have any problem with that if businesses want to support that.”
He does have a problem with the city mandating masks, however.
“I just have trouble with us, us being the city government, getting into the environment to where we are dictating or mandating your health decisions,” Fahler said. “I believe that is far government overreach.”
One more thing: Fahler says he does not believe that Bynum has been holding video conferences with Dr. Fauci.
“I don’t know of any meeting with Dr. Fauci,” the city councilor said. “That’s outside my purview.”
And he is not.
That was confirmed Tuesday by the Mayor’s Office.
Gallery: COVID-19 basics
COVID-19 basics everyone needs to know as the pandemic continues
How it spreads, who's at risk
Studies have shown many infected people show no symptoms or have symptoms so mild they may go undetected; those people can still transmit COVID-19 to About 20% of patients diagnosed with COVID-19 require hospitalization.
The disease can be fatal, especially for vulnerable populations: those older than 65, living in a nursing home or long-term care facility, and anyone with underlying health conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, lung disease or obesity.
Science of virus spread
COVID-19 is spread mainly from person to person via respiratory droplets produced by an infected person. Spread is most likely when people are in close contact, within about 6 feet. A person might also be infected with COVID-19 after touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their face. According to the CDC, evidence suggests the novel coronavirus may remain viable for hours to days on surfaces, though that form of transmission is said to be minor.
Transmission between people more than 6 feet from one another may occur in poorly ventilated and enclosed spaces, the CDC says, especially where activities cause heavier breathing, such as singing or exercising.
The infectious period for patients can begin up to 48 hours before symptom onset.
List of symptoms
The CDC recently expanded its list of possible symptoms of COVID-19. The symptoms can appear from two days to two weeks after exposure.
- Fever or chills
- Cough
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Fatigue
- Muscle or body aches
- Headache
- New loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Congestion or runny nose
- Nausea or vomiting
- Diarrhea
This list does not include all possible symptoms and will continue to be updated by the CDC. One symptom not included is "purple toes," which someone may experience with no other symptoms, sometimes several weeks after the acute phase of an infection is over. The coloration and pain is caused by a lack of blood flow to the toes caused by excessive blood clotting, a late-stage concern with COVID-19 infections.
Kinds of testing
Those getting tested may experience different kinds of swabs. The viral test, known as PCR, involves a deep nasal swab that can be painful.
Other tests that require less-invasive swabs may produce results faster, but with less accuracy. These should not be used diagnostically.
It is not yet known whether COVID-19 antibodies can protect someone being infected again or how long protection might last.
The 'serious seven'
The "serious seven" refer to close contact environments where residents should take extra precautions if they choose to attend. The seven are gyms, weddings, house gatherings, bars, funerals, faith-based activities and other small events, according to Tulsa Health Department Director Bruce Dart.
Treatments being investigated
The FDA has allowed for antiviral drug remdesivir, previously tested on humans with Ebola, to treat more severe cases of COVID-19 in adults and children. Safety and effectiveness aside, preliminary studies have shown it can shorten recovery time for some patients.
After previously approving an emergency use authorization, the FDA as of July 1 cautions against use of hydroxychloroquine or chloroquine for COVID-19 outside of the hospital setting or a clinical trial. A review of safety issues includes reports of serious heart rhythm problems and other safety issues, including blood and lymph system disorders, kidney injuries, and liver problems and failure.
Convalescent serum therapy
Some patients are receiving convalescent serum, meaning the antibodies made by people who have recovered after a COVID-19 infection. Antibody-rich blood plasma is being given to severely or critically ill COVID-19 patients, including Ascension St. John, Saint Francis Health System, OSU Center for Health Sciences and Hillcrest HealthCare System in Tulsa.
From June to July, requests for convalescent plasma from the Oklahoma Blood Institute multiplied seven-fold.
Recovery, as defined by CDC
To be considered recovered (without a test), these three things must happen, the CDC advises:
- No fever for at least 72 hours (three full days of normal temperature without the use of medicine)
- Other symptoms improved (no more cough, etc.)
- At least 10 days since symptoms first appeared
Kevin Canfield 918-645-5452
kevin.canfield
@tulsaworld.com
Twitter: @aWorldofKC
Kevin Canfield
Tulsa World Staff Writer
