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Against the Wind Newsletter-Blog
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A physician’s firsthand account of hospital vaccine protocols, medical ethics, and the importance of informed inquiry in pediatric and inpatient care.
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Vaccine Zealotry + Don’t Fear Disease
Dr. Paul Thomas (retired) - With the Wind with Dr. Paul Show 198 Pediatric Perspectives: Vaccine Zealotry: Don t Fear Disease with Suzanne Humphries, M.D.
Show Notes:
Host: Dr. Paul Thomas
Guest: Suzanne Humphries, M.D.
Series: Pediatric Perspectives
Length: Approximately 45 minutes
Summary
In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, Dr. Paul is joined by Suzanne Humphries, M.D. for a detailed discussion on how modern medical systems prioritize policy and protocol over individualized clinical judgment.
Dr. Humphries recounts her experiences in internal medicine and nephrology that led her to question hospital vaccination practices, standing orders, and the absence of informed consent in inpatient settings. She explains how these experiences ultimately pushed her out of mainstream medicine and into independent research and public education.
Drawing on the historical analysis behind Dissolving Illusions (https://dissolvingillusions.com/), the conversation explores the difference between disease incidence and mortality, the role of fear in public health messaging, and why questioning medical orthodoxy often comes at a professional cost. Dr. Paul adds parallel observations from pediatrics and newborn care, highlighting similar systemic pressures.
Key Points (with timestamps)
- 01:45 — Dr. Humphries clarifies her medical training and board certification history
- 03:50 — Why questioning vaccine practices became unavoidable in her clinical work
- 07:00 — Corporate medicine, dialysis systems, and loss of physician autonomy
- 10:30 — Early personal experiences that raised questions about vaccination
- 12:20 — Observations of unvaccinated children and immune responses
- 15:00 — Taking vaccine histories in adult inpatient care and what she found
- 18:40 — Pharmacy-driven vaccination and hospital standing orders
- 22:30 — Core findings from Dissolving Illusions: death rates vs. disease rates
- 27:00 — Fear of disease and its impact on medical decision-making
- 31:30 — Parallels between adult inpatient care and newborn vaccination practices
- 36:00 — Responsibility, informed consent, and deciding for one’s own family
Verbatim Quote
“Because once you see a problem as big as the vaccination issue, then you start just asking a whole bunch of questions around that.”
— Suzanne Humphries, M.D.
Resources
- Suzanne Humphries, M.D. — Official Website
https://drsuzanne.net/ - Dissolving Illusions: Disease, Vaccines, and the Forgotten History
https://dissolvingillusions.com/ - Dr. Suzanne Humphries on X (formerly Twitter)
https://x.com/DrSuzanneH7
Disclaimer
The information shared in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not establish a doctor–patient relationship. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions.
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Understanding Why Viral Illness Lasts Longer and When Antibiotics Are Actually Needed
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Understanding Why Viral Illness Lasts Longer and When Antibiotics Are Actually Needed
- Why does it seem as if viral illnesses are lasting longer?
- Can vaccines weaken the immune system, resulting in susceptibility to sickness?
- Is my unvaccinated child able to get sick?
- Should antibiotics be used to treat illness?
- What is the difference between viral and bacterial infections?
- When should I bring my child to the emergency room or a doctor?
- How high is too high for a fever?
- Where might my kid be more likely to catch a disease?
- Will staying at home help our family avoid transmission of sickness?
Dr. Paul Thomas (retired) - With the Wind with Dr. Paul Show 197: Pediatric Perspectives: Parent's Questions & Pediatrician's Answers with DeeDee Hoover
Show Notes:
Host:Dr. Paul Thomas
Co-Host & Question Moderator:DeeDee Hoover (J.A.M. — Just a Mom)
Co-author, Vax Facts
Series: Pediatric Perspectives
Length: Approximately 20 minutes
Summary
In this episode of With the Wind with Dr. Paul, DeeDee Hoover takes the lead as co-host, asking Dr. Paul the most frequently asked questions parents submit across multiple Kids First 4Ever platforms. This conversation addresses common pediatric health concerns currently affecting families, including prolonged viral illness, immune system function, and appropriate treatment decisions.
The discussion is grounded in clinical experience and real-world observations from families working with the Kids First 4Ever community. Throughout, Dr. Paul provides educational context, clinical perspective, and evidence-based information while maintaining focus on informed decision-making and parental understanding—rather than medical advice.
Key Points
00:01:35 — Opening: Dr. Paul introduces the episode format and DeeDee's role in gathering and asking frequently submitted parent questions
00:02:32 — DeeDee clarifies that questions come from multiple Kids First 4Ever platforms and introduces the "Frequently Asked Questions of a Pediatrician" format
00:02:48 — First question: Why are colds, flus, and viruses lasting longer this winter?
00:03:16 — Dr. Paul explains the convergence of multiple infections (flu, RSV, pertussis, COVID, and common colds) occurring simultaneously at elevated frequency
00:03:36 — Discussion of RSV characteristics and duration; explanation that only about 10% of "flu-like" illness is actually influenza
00:04:03 — How stacking infections creates prolonged illness; pertussis can cause coughing for weeks or months
00:04:44 — Second question: Can weakened immune systems from current illness make children susceptible to catching additional infections?
00:05:10 — Dr. Paul addresses how immune focus (including from vaccines) can redirect immune capacity and increase vulnerability to other pathogens
00:05:35 — Data on cold frequency in vaccinated children (5-7 per winter) and cumulative duration when infections overlap
00:05:48 — Third question: Why are unvaccinated children also getting sick?
00:06:12 — Dr. Paul clarifies that unvaccinated children still encounter pathogens but generally experience fewer illness episodes and faster recovery
00:06:17 — Fourth question: Does prolonged illness mean children need antibiotics?
00:06:35 — Dr. Paul explains that most respiratory symptoms are viral and antibiotics do not treat viral infections
00:07:04 — Discussion of ineffectiveness of antivirals for most pediatric infections; limited use cases (e.g., acyclovir for herpes)
Quote
"We are seeing a number of different infections happening all around the same time at much greater magnitude. About 10% of the cases of what looks like flu is actually flu. We're definitely seeing a lot of RSV, respiratory syncytial virus, and it can last a long time anyway."
— Dr. Paul Thomas
Resources & Links
- Vax Facts Book https://www.vaxfactsbook.com
- Kids First 4Ever https://www.kidsfirst4ever.com
- Doctors and Science https://www.doctorsandscience.com
- With the Wind with Dr. Paul https://www.doctorsandscience.com/shows
- PaulThomasMD.com https://paulthhomasmd.com
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What the Pandemic Revealed About Pediatric Risk, Informed Consent, and Decision-Making for Children
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Dr. Paul Thomas (retired) - With the Wind with Dr. Paul Show 196: Pediatric Perspectives: Costly Mistakes: Kids and COVID with Liz Mumper, M.D.
Show Notes:
Pediatric Perspectives: Costly Mistakes: Kids and COVID with Elizabeth Mumper, M.D.
Air Date: March 4
Host: Paul Thomas, M.D.
Series: Pediatric Perspectives
Episode Summary
In this episode of Pediatric Perspectives, Dr. Paul discusses how COVID-19 affected children and how pediatric risk was evaluated during the pandemic. The conversation examines clinical observations in infants and children, pediatric infection fatality rates, hospital reporting practices, informed consent, and ethical concerns surrounding medical decision-making for minors.
The discussion highlights how pediatric outcomes differed from adult outcomes and reflects on lessons learned that may influence how future medical technologies are introduced in pediatric care.
Key Topics
00:01:35 – Dr. Paul welcomes viewers and introduces Pediatric Perspectives
00:01:52 – Introduction of the guest and framing of the episode’s focus
00:02:50 – Why COVID-19 remains a pediatric topic of discussion
00:03:14 – COVID-19’s inclusion on the childhood immunization schedule
00:03:48 – Early clinical observations of COVID illness in infants and young children
00:04:53 – Pediatric clinical trial size and early safety concerns
00:06:01 – Review of pediatric infection fatality rates
00:06:44 – Hospital testing practices and classification of pediatric COVID cases
00:08:49 – Pressures on pediatric practices and parents regarding COVID vaccination
00:09:07 – Overview of multiple areas of concern discussed in the episode, including cardiac, immune, neurologic, reproductive, and other systemic effects
00:15:26 – Continued promotion of COVID vaccination and questions of benefit versus risk in children
00:17:04 – Informed consent concerns and the absence of standard disclosure materials
00:18:58 – Ethical concerns related to coercion and incentives involving children
00:20:07 – Reflections on parental responsibility and future use of emerging medical technologies
Quote:
“The crucial thing to understand is that those children had other illnesses, significant illnesses like leukemia or very chronic and bad asthma. So they weren’t actually dying from COVID itself.”
— Elizabeth Mumper, M.D., 00:06:19
Where to Watch or Listen
Watch the full episode at DoctorsAndScience.com/Shows.
Learn more about educational resources at KidsFirst4Ever.com.
Medical & Educational Disclaimer
The information presented in this episode is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. It does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional regarding medical decisions. This content does not establish a doctor–patient relationship.
Author
Dr. Paul Thomas is an award-winning Dartmouth-trained pediatrician with nearly 30 years of experience in pediatrics. He is an expert on addiction and in Addiction Medicine. He is the co-author of the forthcoming book, The Vaccine-Friendly Plan: Dr. Paul’s Safe and Effective Approach to Immunity and Health—from Pregnancy through Your Child’s Teen Years (Ballantine 2016).
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