underdesea
Crazee Cat Ladee
- Joined
- Jul 8, 2004
The issue with any of these emerging viruses is that the media -- both "official" and "other" -- social media, radio talk shows , etc. jump on the news because it scares the hell out of people and it gets ratings, likes, clicks, shares and more. The more scary and sensational the better. When the most recent Ebola outbreak took place, a local radio talk show host went on air and said "This thing is airborne, folks." It wasn't, and that was incredibly irresponsible rhetoric. CNN reported Friday that the new Corona virus had killed "dozens of people." At that time, 24 people had died. Technically, they were correct, but it was presented sensationally.
There's no doubt that emerging viruses pose a constant threat, especially when combined with the reality that more viruses are evolving to resist current antibiotics. But at the same time, diving into panic isn't helpful either. You have to take time to go beyond the headlines and social media and seek out reliable scientific sources and evaluate the facts as they are known from day to day. Caution is good. Panic, not so much. Jmho.
There's no doubt that emerging viruses pose a constant threat, especially when combined with the reality that more viruses are evolving to resist current antibiotics. But at the same time, diving into panic isn't helpful either. You have to take time to go beyond the headlines and social media and seek out reliable scientific sources and evaluate the facts as they are known from day to day. Caution is good. Panic, not so much. Jmho.