Jump directly to the content

YOUTUBE has been slammed for supposedly removing a video of two California doctors who pushed for end to coronavirus lockdowns. 

Google's streaming giant said it would take down any videos that "disputes the efficacy of local health authority guidance" after the footage of doctors Dan Erickson and Artin Massihi was removed.

 The doctors pushed governors to reopen
The doctors pushed governors to reopenCredit: Fox
 They cited the Swedish model with less sweeping measures
They cited the Swedish model with less sweeping measuresCredit: ABC 23
 Dr. Artin Massihi (right) is a co-owner of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield, California 
Dr. Artin Massihi (right) is a co-owner of Accelerated Urgent Care in Bakersfield, California Credit: Accelerated Urgent Care/Facebook

The medics, who run a private urgent-care clinic in Bakersfield, argued that stay orders were doing more harm than good in the video - which reportedly garnered five million views and was shared by Tesla CEO Elon Musk - before it disappeared.

California news station ABC 23 KERO updated their video to provide additional EDSA context with the doctors' interview on April 22.

But it reemerged on a YouTube channel called Christian News 360 two days later.

The doctor duo argued that the number of COVID-19 fatalities was minuscule and that the stay-home orders are negatively effecting the healthcare industry as infection rates top one million in the US.

California has reported 1,800 fatalities.

"It's time to open back up," Erikson argued. "The science says it is. The models we've been using from predictions, to predict the amount of disease, are not accurate."

 Erikson questioned the lockdown measures
Erikson questioned the lockdown measuresCredit: 23 ABC News
 The cited the Swedish model on Fox
The cited the Swedish model on FoxCredit: Fox
 The run an urgent care clinic in California
The run an urgent care clinic in CaliforniaCredit: Accelerated Urgent Care/Facebook

They claim to know colleagues who are under pressure to list coronavirus as patients' cause of death.

"We've been to hundreds of autopsies. You don't talk about one thing, you talk about comorbiditie," Erikson claimed.

"ER doctors now [say] 'It's interesting when I'm writing about my death report, I'm being pressured to add COVID. Why is that?"

The pair later told Fox News people could get "herd immunity" without a vaccine, citing the Swedish model of reopening with less sweeping restrictions.

Their comments come as other tech giants like Facebook and Twitter are ramping up the removal of posts containing misinformation or urging people to defy state lockdown laws.

 Heat Waves in Southern California prompt people to take to the streets
Heat Waves in Southern California prompt people to take to the streetsCredit: Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
 Medical professionals in Bolinas conduct testing of all residents for the novel coronavirus and its antibodies
Medical professionals in Bolinas conduct testing of all residents for the novel coronavirus and its antibodiesCredit: Reuters

Disease experts, state officials, and the Feds have all cited social distancing efforts and the majority of Americans' stay home efforts as flattening the curve of the deadly bug.

YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki told CNN last week "anything that would go against World Health Organization [WHO] recommendations would be a violation of our policy."

But the removal of the video resulted in a lot of objection online.

"This. Is. Censorship. On what is arguably the most important media platform in the United States," tweeted Alex Berenson, a former New York Times reporter.

 Musk shared the video saying they made 'good points'
Musk shared the video saying they made 'good points'
 A health worker dons protective gear at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site set up by the Los Angeles Fire Department
A health worker dons protective gear at a drive-through COVID-19 testing site set up by the Los Angeles Fire DepartmentCredit: Photo by VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

Fox News host Tucker Carlson also blasted YouTube's decision to remove the video.

"The doctor's video was produced by a local television channel. It was, in fact a mainstream news story," Carlson continued. "The only justification for taking it down was that the physicians on-screen had reached different conclusions than the people currently in charge."

YouTube said Wednesday they remove any content that violates their Community Guidelines.

A spokesperson told The Sun: “Content that provides sufficient educational, documentary, scientific or artistic (EDSA) context is allowed.

"For example, news coverage of this interview with additional context.

"From the very beginning of the pandemic, we’ve had clear policies against COVID-19 misinformation and are committed to continue providing timely and helpful information at this critical time.”

Google bought YouTube in a billion-dollar deal back in 2006.

The news comes as President Trump confirmed that social distancing guidelines would be "faded out" from Thursday when they expire.

 The doctors claimed the death toll didnt warrant state closures
The doctors claimed the death toll didnt warrant state closuresCredit: ABC 23
 Trump confirmed social distancing measures would expire tomorrow
Trump confirmed social distancing measures would expire tomorrowCredit: AFP or licensors
 Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, Huntington Beach, California, USA - 25 Apr 2020
Coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak, Huntington Beach, California, USA - 25 Apr 2020Credit: Rex Features
Topics