Commenter Paso Robles brought us a very interesting case, a ruling November 11 by a Portuguese appeals that the RT-PCR test is not a reliable test for SARS-CoV-2, so that all quarantines based on those test results are unlawful. The original ruling was, of course, in Portuguese, and found here. Paso also made a Google English translation version available here. Finally, Off Guardian did a short summary of the ruling here. I read, copied and printed the entire ruling. It turned out to be 13,000 words and 34 pages (MS Word). While that sounds like a lot, it read so easily that I was enthralled. Legal minds are, I think, the best minds around. I love the way they convert law to understandable prose.
The ruling involved four German national tourists who went to the Azores, where one of them tested positive for SARS-CoV-19 9 9after testing negative in Germany). All four were quarantined in their hotel rooms for fourteen days. But these guys were not to be messed with. They petitioned the court for a writ of habeas corpus, i.e., produce a body, a right we all possess if we live in lands with laws that are followed. (Not so much USA anymore.) It prevents detention of people without due process. I had forgotten all about it, but if I am quarantined, you can bet I am going to invoke it.
There is, of course, a world-wide news blackout of this ruling.
Continue reading “A monumental court ruling” →