Memes and the rage machine

COVID-19 Memes

There's a Meme circulating that blames the media for over-hyping the coronavirus. It goes something like this, "170,00 people have recovered from COVID-19. Why don't we ever hear about that?" 

The media does talk about the recovery rate. The problem might be the way we use social media. Whatever we click on creates a profile of what may interest us, and the algorithms keep sending us more of the same.

The actual number of recoveries may be much higher than quoted in the meme you shared. The number of cases may also be higher. This is because there are not enough test kits, or cases that go unreported. Tracking of cases after diagnosis is erratic too.

Many will be infected. Most will recover. The projected death toll is staggering.

One thing I do know, memes are used to feed the rage machine. I've shared them too. Maybe we all need to do a little more homework. It took me a quick search to find some numbers and an explanation from a real news source.

Blame Social Media. It is a weakness in our system. We can work around that weakness.

COVID - 19 Things that don't work!

Bogus Cures

There's all sorts of misinformation about the Coronavirus spreading all over the web.

The BBC lists six things that absolutely do not work.

1. Garlic

We're not talking about vampires.  The WHO (World Health Organization) says that while it is "a healthy food that may have some antimicrobial properties", there's no evidence that eating garlic can protect people from the new coronavirus.

2. 'Miracle minerals'

Last year, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) warned about the dangers to health of drinking MMS. Health authorities in other countries have also issued alerts about it.

3. Home-made hand sanitiser

There have been many reports of shortages of hand sanitiser gel, as washing your hands is one key way to prevent spread of the virus. There are rumors that Tito's Vodka can be used. Unfortunately, Tito's does not have enough alcohol to be used as a hand sanitizer. Ordinary soap and water works really well.

4. Drinkable silver

No, no, a thousand times no! There's a televangelist promoting this stuff. He's selling it.  there's clear advice from the US health authorities that there's no evidence this type of silver is effective for any health condition. More importantly, it could cause serious side effects including kidney damage, seizures and argyria - a condition that makes your skin turn blue.

5. Drinking water every 15 minutes

Drinking water will keep you hydrated, but there is no proof that you can flush the virus out of your system by drinking lots of water. This fake cure has been copied and pasted many times on Facebook

6. Heat and avoiding ice cream

Trying to heat your body or expose yourself to the sun - presumably to make it inhospitable to the virus - is completely ineffective, according to Prof Bloomfield.  Once the virus is in your body, there's no way of killing it - your body just has to fight it off.Outside the body, "to actively kill the virus you need temperatures of around 60 degrees [Celsius]", says Professor Bloomfield - far hotter than any bath.

Tone Down The Virus Rhetoric

Al Tompkins covered the ZIKA in 2016. He shares the lessons he learned then in a article published for Poynter. Here's how newsrooms can tone down their Coronavirus coverage while still reporting responsibly.

Limit adjectives

Everywhere I turn I see news headlines blaring the words “deadly virus” even though for most people the virus is not deadly.

Choose images carefully

I recommend that every time you show somebody wearing a facemask, you remind the viewers/readers that experts say the masks do not help prevent the spread of the virus.

Frame stories with context

People want to know what they can do.

When fright affects big plans

It is worth pointing out that the World Health Organization has not issued any broad warnings that would lead to cancellations, not yet, anyway.

Bust myths

“During the SARS epidemic, hand-washing reduced the risk of transmission by 30 to 50%. But after washing your hands, you must still be mindful about face touching.”

https://www.poynter.org/reporting-editing/2020/how-newsrooms-can-tone-down-their-coronavirus-coverage-while-still-reporting-responsibly/

UN Report Shows Bias Against Women

Gender Study Finds Bias Is Strong

As reported by the BBC:

Zimbabwe had the highest amount of bias.

In China, 55% of people thought men were better suited to be political leaders.

Around 39% of people in the US, which is yet to have a female president, thought men made better leaders.

However in New Zealand, a country that currently has a female leader, only 27% of people thought that.

Pedro Conceição, head of UNDP's Human Development Report Office said: "We have come a long way in recent decades to ensure that women have the same access to life's basic needs as men.

"But gender gaps are still all too obvious in other areas, particularly those that challenge power relations and are most influential in actually achieving true equality. Today. the fight about gender equality is a story of bias and prejudices."

UN report shows 90% worldwide bias against women.

The record number of women running for president has renewed the discussion of gender in politics according the Pew Research.

Fast facts on the challenges Americans see for female political candidates as Warren exits 2020 race

"49% of U.S. adults said gender discrimination was a major reason why there were fewer women than men in high political offices, including 59% of women and 36% of men who said this."

Outcomes Count Most

What if instead of a feelings advocacy we had an outcome advocacy that put equitable outcomes before our guilt and anguish? What if we focused our human and fiscal resources on changing power and policy to actually make society, not just our feelings, better?

- Ibram X. Kendi

It's not the number of clients served, it's the number of clients who benefited from our services.

The Republic's Demise

Are We Giving the Republic Away?

The new defense is, everything he does is in the public interest. Therefore, whatever he does, no matter how corrupt, is permissible. Then, what's the next step? Throwing your political opponents in jail? We already have a trial without evidence and witnesses. Do you understand where this is all going?

Alan Dershowitz, a member of Trump’s legal team, said a president could do virtually anything — including engaging in a quid pro quo for a purely political benefit — as long as it's in service of winning reelection. (Politico)

Politico also quoted Adam Schiff on this issue. Dershowitz’s view gives a president “carte blanche” to use his or her office to further his or her own political interests, rather than the interests of the nation. It puts the president above the law and the constitution.

Isn't this what happens in Putin's Russia. Isn't this what happened in Hitler's Germany? 

How will you be remembered?

A man is called selfish not for pursuing his own good, but for neglecting his neighbor's.

- Richard Whately