A few weeks ago, we heard about a few people getting sick on a cruise ship, from something most of us never heard of, the hantavirus. Then, a couple of people died, and some others got pretty sick and the news media started to do what they do best: breathlessly report on it. It's the next pandemic!
Scientists, particularly those with experience in diseases and epidemiology, were drowned out. The truth is that while this is "something," it's not quite what its been built up to be. It's treatable if caught early. Different strains spread differently, but generally you have to be in close quarters. It originates via rat droppings, and much of it originates in Argentina, as it turns out (hence why there was an outbreak on a ship that left from that country).
The media just focuses on it being awful, and will report on stories like the woman who is quarantined here in the states, but who wants to leave and is throwing a fit about her rights. (I would assume because it makes a great headline and gets clicks).
And they miss the story about another man in the same facility, who sees that this is the right thing to do, and talks about how the kindness of strangers touched him. People send care packages, and drop off coffees. He's had some unexpected and pleasant interactions with the staff - and he adds that he will not let what's happened deter him. He still plans to travel the world!
Oh, and of course the media also decides to add ebola into the story, for good measure. They conflate both diseases, even though they are vastly different in almost every way.
That's not to say there's no danger and we shouldn't pay attention. But, we should focus our attention in the right places.
My point is that once again, we should look behind the hype. Listen to those who know something about the topic. Don't doom scroll and immediately assume the worst because that's what you see popping up on social media.
