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Dear @nytimes,
This article is obtuse & offensive
Here's what intentionally scaring people actually does:
*deteriorate collective mental health
*degrade media's credibility
*catalyze harmful policies
*expose the privilege inherent in this POV
& it doesn't work for C19...
This article is obtuse & offensive
Here's what intentionally scaring people actually does:
*deteriorate collective mental health
*degrade media's credibility
*catalyze harmful policies
*expose the privilege inherent in this POV
& it doesn't work for C19...
The coverage thus far of #Covid19 can *only* be characterized as fear-based & hyperbolic.
We've not had a single day in the last 10mo where we weren't inundated by the msg that Covid is coming for us
--no matter age or health status
Fear-based messaging is already the default
We've not had a single day in the last 10mo where we weren't inundated by the msg that Covid is coming for us
--no matter age or health status
Fear-based messaging is already the default
You uphold graphic anti-smoking ads as a potential model for Covid mitigation campaigns, the idea being that showing people on vents & trachs will change people's behavior.
It was successful for smoking, you say.
Why not COVID?...
It was successful for smoking, you say.
Why not COVID?...
Well, to start, what does it cost people to stop smoking?
Some idea of what is sacrificed:
* A psychological and physical coping mechanism
* Maybe some social validation
* A pleasurable source of dopamine
Those are real costs, and they're so high that many struggle to quit
Some idea of what is sacrificed:
* A psychological and physical coping mechanism
* Maybe some social validation
* A pleasurable source of dopamine
Those are real costs, and they're so high that many struggle to quit
And, while certainly uncomfortable, they don't even begin to compare to the risks you are demanding everyone to incur in the name of "taking COVID seriously" https://twitter.com/AJKayWriter/status/1336407278476353536?s=20
People know the risks from COVID.
And they are
*For many, empirically negligible
*For most, relatively minimal
especially when compared to the risks we incurred every day, pre-2020, in exchange for living meaningful, rewarding lives.
And they are
*For many, empirically negligible
*For most, relatively minimal
especially when compared to the risks we incurred every day, pre-2020, in exchange for living meaningful, rewarding lives.
Ppl aren't sacrificing luxuries, but absorbing an indefinite series of immidiate, serious, & existential threats.
Ppl who 'don't take C19 seriously' are saying,
"C19 is less risky to me than the risks you are imposing on me"
It's not about not being scared enough.
Ppl who 'don't take C19 seriously' are saying,
"C19 is less risky to me than the risks you are imposing on me"
It's not about not being scared enough.
And, for the record, a 'sacrifice' is an offering--a personal choice.
When you mandate ppl "sacrifice" that which is not yours, it's just theft.
In this case, it's theft primarily from those w/ the least to spare, who don't have a voice, & w/o resources to defend themselves
When you mandate ppl "sacrifice" that which is not yours, it's just theft.
In this case, it's theft primarily from those w/ the least to spare, who don't have a voice, & w/o resources to defend themselves
NYT: "Well, people will change their tune when they see what its like to be hooked up to a vent."
And that's the BIG PICTURE you are really missing...
We have already been force fed the fear.
People have done the risk calculus...and made their choice.
And that's the BIG PICTURE you are really missing...
We have already been force fed the fear.
People have done the risk calculus...and made their choice.
Risks from
*being unable to support their family
*their small business closing
*being unable to obtain non-Covid healthcare
*denying children education
*social isolation
*mental health deterioration
far exceed those of any risk imposed by #COVID19
*being unable to support their family
*their small business closing
*being unable to obtain non-Covid healthcare
*denying children education
*social isolation
*mental health deterioration
far exceed those of any risk imposed by #COVID19
The real issue here is privilege.
Some people--let's call them the 'Zoom set'--think that just because Covid is the greatest risk to them, it should be the greatest risk to everyone.
They can't see past their double-masked noses that less fortunate people are suffering.
Some people--let's call them the 'Zoom set'--think that just because Covid is the greatest risk to them, it should be the greatest risk to everyone.
They can't see past their double-masked noses that less fortunate people are suffering.
When your paycheck isn't compromised & the roof over your head is secure & you can feed your family & you can afford in-person private school
AND you are unable to empathize for anyone not in your fortunate situation,
you naturally think, "Well, we need to scare them more!!!"
AND you are unable to empathize for anyone not in your fortunate situation,
you naturally think, "Well, we need to scare them more!!!"
And the same Zoom set doesn't mind people delivering their DoorDash -- just not working or gathering or maintaining the lives they have built
So they lob the label of "selfish" at the victims of their mandated, single-variable risk calculus https://twitter.com/AJKayWriter/status/1335004434372337664?s=20
So they lob the label of "selfish" at the victims of their mandated, single-variable risk calculus https://twitter.com/AJKayWriter/status/1335004434372337664?s=20
And you can deny, dismiss, or--to use preferred terminology--"downplay" these risks & ramp up
the terrorizing ads
...but it's going to move the needle about as much as tweeting, "We're all in this together" while eating your Door Dash from the comfort of your RH sectional
the terrorizing ads
...but it's going to move the needle about as much as tweeting, "We're all in this together" while eating your Door Dash from the comfort of your RH sectional
Dialing up the volume of panicked screeches doesn't serve your cause.
Fear-mongering isn't new and it's ineffective.
Until you start caring about the harms you are imposing on society, you'll keep screaming into the wind.
Fear-mongering isn't new and it's ineffective.
Until you start caring about the harms you are imposing on society, you'll keep screaming into the wind.
