One of my all time favorites… the GEICO horror movie commercial. Four teenage friends are trying to escape a killer. Where to run? The blonde woman whines, “Why can’t we just get in the running car?” Obviously the only smart decision. Instead they decide… “Are you crazy? Let’s hide behind the chainsaws!” Why does this remind me so much of the fearful reactions to the coronavirus?
The Quake that wasn’t
Fear. It makes otherwise rational human beings make choices that are silly in retrospect. Thirty years ago, my family had a joyous celebration in St Louis. My sister, the greatest sister ever, was of course planning to drive from Kansas City for the event. Suddenly, she fearfully canceled. Why? Because a quack “scientist” claimed the New Madrid fault would give way that day resulting in a massive earthquake that would devastate St Louis, and severely damage buildings as far away as Chicago. My sister, well educated and otherwise thoughtful and rational, was sucked in. She was not the only one. Schools canceled classes. People prepared in panic. Packed away china, took pictures off the walls. Left town. Worried in fear. Panic on display.
Of course the earthquake never occurred. It will, someday. Like it last did in 1811 and 1812. Just not that day on December 3rd, 1990. The “scientist”, Dr Iben Browning, later claimed that his prediction was never meant to be public. Someone “leaked it”. He famously stated, “Panic can kill more people than an earthquake.” Uh huh.
Fear
Or back to the GEICO commercial, “If you’re in a horror movie, you make poor decisions. It’s what you do.”
Fear. Now we have Covid-19. Plenty to rationally fear. Logical steps to protect and save lives.
But in come the quacks again. And media looking for clickbait. Unscientific BS. Heighten the fear worldwide. Make otherwise rational people ignore science. Panic.
I have a friend in Peru. Hasn’t been outside in weeks. She does not live in a cramped city. Instead an upscale house with spacious grounds. I suggested she get some fresh air. Told her the virus is not airborne. She replied, “Maybe it isn’t airborne. But it is everywhere. On the cement. On the ground. On hand rails. On elevator buttons. On benches. On walls. It is everywhere. It is not safe to go outside.”
Sigh.
This is not just her. Everywhere. Countless people cowering in their homes in fear. People rejecting science. Not listening to true experts, but again the quacks, and the media pushers of clickbait. An idiot in California claiming it survives in the frigid waters, becomes airborne in the surf.
“If you’re in a horror movie, you make poor decisions. It’s what you do.”
Meanwhile, today… surf’s up!