NEW: We've all seen the videos of people ignoring COVID-19 restrictions that require people to wear a mask ( #BunningsKaren) or not travel
But just how widespread are these views — and is the media spending too much time on them? https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
But just how widespread are these views — and is the media spending too much time on them? https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
There's no data specifically on how many people are anti-mask.
We know 1 in 5 Australians used masks even before the 2nd wave hit and masks were made mandatory in some areas.
@RACGP says these views are rare & most people are happy to follow the rules. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
We know 1 in 5 Australians used masks even before the 2nd wave hit and masks were made mandatory in some areas.
@RACGP says these views are rare & most people are happy to follow the rules. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
Knowing this, how much media attention did it get? HEAPS
@streemau's @conalhanna counted 1157 !!!! media items in less than 24 hours about #BunningsKaren in <24 hours, more than half of those were on TV.
The checkpoint woman vid got 328 media items too. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
@streemau's @conalhanna counted 1157 !!!! media items in less than 24 hours about #BunningsKaren in <24 hours, more than half of those were on TV.
The checkpoint woman vid got 328 media items too. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
Using BuzzSumo, I found that those two stories were literally top coronavirus stories in Australia in the past week by social media engagements.
That beat out stories about Australia's massive spike in cases, aged care cases, the BLM court case etc. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
That beat out stories about Australia's massive spike in cases, aged care cases, the BLM court case etc. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
OK so if the media is covering this a lot, so what?
Well, @fabiovelo says that while there's probably not a threat that we'll all ditch the masks, it may hurt collective efforts to act against COVID-19, like social distancing. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
Well, @fabiovelo says that while there's probably not a threat that we'll all ditch the masks, it may hurt collective efforts to act against COVID-19, like social distancing. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
He compares anti-mask people to anti-vaxxers: they're able to capitalise on the media's thirst for compelling, evocative content to amplify their niche views.
Almost no one is against masks — but you wouldn't know that if you watched the news this week. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434
Almost no one is against masks — but you wouldn't know that if you watched the news this week. https://www.abc.net.au/news/science/2020-07-28/face-masks-bunnings-viral-video-covid19-coronavirus/12496434