Coronavirus outbreak

[guntrix]

Naive is to look at the statistics and turn the other way. People are contributing to misinformation by propagating that anyone can die when one's chances greatly vary depending on age and health. 

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, 'fake news' is putting lives at risk: UNESCO

 

Quote

 

Sadly, says Mr. Berger, some have capitalized on the pandemic, to spread disinformation for the purposes of advancing their own agendas: “The motives for spreading disinformation are many, and include political aims, self-promotion, and attracting attention as part of a business model. Those who do so, play on emotions, fears, prejudices and ignorance, and claim to bring meaning and certainty to a reality that is complex, challenging and fast-changing.”

 

But, he adds, not everyone responsible for spreading untruths is doing so maliciously. Well-intentioned people are also uncritically circulating dubious content. Whatever the reasons, he warns, the outcome is the same: “These different motives require different responses, but we should not lose sight of the fact that, irrespective of intention, the effect of sharing falsehoods is to disinform and disempower the public, with deadly potential.”

 

 

[spur1]

23 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

You also have to consider that the good number of those not in that "elderly" category are hardly what I call "in good shape/healthy".  Just look at all the fast food restaurants (not just in the US but our country).  XXX+ sizes in abundance.  Course, that's just my opinion/observation.

Idiots... this virus has the capacity to kill anyone. Yes the odds are similar to the lottery but we still buy tickets and some still win. 

[Me_]

31 minutes ago, guntrix said:

Of course. There will probably be a third wave too. And maybe a fourth.

 

Until we can develop and distribute a vaccine. 

 

edit. For clarity. I've recovered from Covid-19 and have stuck through this whole pandemic in NYC. You're probably more innocent than I am.

The only true fundamental we know about this virus is it loves to hitch a ride. 
 

So do tourists, business people, shoppers, party goers, families, kids, pets and love.
 

Everything else is a constant discovery and any and all assumptions can be kicked down at anytime, including the concepts of immunity, mutation, age and medical counter attacks (apparently even including a debate on internal UV exposure and Clorox...................oh bless his callused soul)

 

If this thing likes the weak and there are lasting symptoms of Covid, I would not take any unnecessary chance. Same with being pre-asymptomatic, there is no evidence to say post-Covid patients are fully asymptomatic. They may be merely dormant, which may pose a serious threat in a reopening.

 

Be safe my friend. I hope yours was of the milder kind. 
 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Me_

[coho8888]

27 minutes ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

You also have to consider that the good number of those not in that "elderly" category are hardly what I call "in good shape/healthy".  Just look at all the fast food restaurants (not just in the US but our country).  XXX+ sizes in abundance.  Course, that's just my opinion/observation.

 

How many restaurants like THIS:

 

 

Do you really see outside North America?

leave it to our neighbors down south to make fun of morbid obesity.  I do remember seeing this restaurant near Fremont Street.  Took a peek and walked away.  Our family of three wouldn't be able to finish the single burger that the lady had.

[Me_]

13 minutes ago, guntrix said:

Naive is to look at the statistics and turn the other way. People are contributing to misinformation by propagating that anyone can die when one's chances greatly vary depending on age and health. 

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, 'fake news' is putting lives at risk: UNESCO

 

 

Sure.

 

But like in hockey, stats only, don’t win you a Cup.

[coho8888]

4 minutes ago, Me_ said:

The only true fundamental we know about this virus is it loves to hitch a ride. 
 

So do tourists, business people, shoppers, families, party goers, kids and pets. 
 

Everything else is a constant discovery and any and all assumptions can be kicked down at anytime, including the concepts of immunity, mutation, age and medical counter attacks (apparently even internal UV exposure and Clorox...................)

 

If this thing likes the weak and there are lasting symptoms of Covid, I would not take any unnecessary chance. Same with being pre-asymptomatic, there is no evidence to say post-Covid patients are fully asymptomatic. They may be merely dormant, which may pose a serious threat in a reopening.

 

Be safe my friend. I hope yours was of the milder kind. 

Hopefully a vaccine is not too far off.  The amount of money and resources that have been thrown at Covid is unprecedented.  I believe Bill Gates himself donated 250 million to find a vaccine.  

[spur1]

2 minutes ago, Me_ said:

Sure.

 

But like in hockey, stats only, don’t win you a Cup.

Like some in here it doesn’t win you a brain neither 

[NewbieCanuckFan]

4 minutes ago, Me_ said:

Sure.

 

But like in hockey, stats only, don’t win you a Cup.

Thanks for reminding me of the 2011 season again when we led most stat categories in the regular season.

[Qwags]

2 hours ago, coho8888 said:

Here's an example of someone having difficulty coping with this.  She is a facebook friend of mine in her mid 20's.  Single Mom.  Generally a really nice person.  I'm worried for her.

 

 

In the end, these people are the most dangerous. Those who think only of themselves. 

 

If the virus only affected them, I'd leave them to rot.

[Me_]

42 minutes ago, guntrix said:

Naive is to look at the statistics and turn the other way. People are contributing to misinformation by propagating that anyone can die when one's chances greatly vary depending on age and health. 

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, 'fake news' is putting lives at risk: UNESCO

 

 

Surely the material you chose to quote from the article reinforces your point no doubt.

 

However, here is the entire article from UNESCO, that you chose parts from, for a better perspective on the matter, for anyone who may feel themselves curiously wanting some context from quite a good article:

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, ‘fake news’ is putting lives at risk: UNESCO
_______________________________________________

”And fears are growing that this phenomenon is putting lives at risk, prompting some with symptoms to try unproven remedies in the hope of ‘curing’ themselves. UNESCO, the UN educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, is leading efforts to counter falsehoods and promote the facts about the virus.

‘Barely an area left untouched by disinformation’

Well before the outbreak of the virus, UNESCO was issuing warnings of the impact that political, technological, economic, and social transformation has had on how we exchange information in recent years, referring to the “contamination” caused by some orchestrated misinformation campaigns, which pose a threat to fact-based journalism and, particularly during the current pandemic, people’s lives.

Guy Berger is the Director for Policies and Strategies regarding Communication and Information at UNESCO, and one of the agency’s lead officials on the subject of disinformation. In an interview with UN News, he explained that falsehoods related to all aspects of COVID-19, have become commonplace.

“There seems to be barely an area left untouched by disinformation in relation to the COVID-19 crisis, ranging from the origin of the coronavirus, through to unproven prevention and ‘cures’, and encompassing responses by governments, companies, celebrities and others.”

He added that “in a time of high fears, uncertainties and unknowns, there is fertile ground for fabrications to flourish and grow. The big risk is that any single falsehood that gains traction can negate the significance of a body of true facts.

“When disinformation is repeated and amplified, including by influential people, the grave danger is that information which is based on truth, ends up having only marginal impact.”

Mythbusting, and the dangers of promoting unproven medicines

Because of the scale of the problem, the World Health Organization (WHO), which is leading the UN’s response to the pandemic, has added a “mythbusters” section to its online coronavirus advice pages. It refutes a staggering array of myths, including claims that drinking potent alcoholic drinks, exposure to high temperatures, or conversely, cold weather, can kill the virus.

Mr. Berger noted that some people believe, wrongly, that young people or those of African descent are immune (some disinformation has a racist, or xenophobic, tone), and that those in warm climates or countries where summer is on its way, do not need to worry too much. The likely consequence, he says, is complacency, which could fuel more premature deaths.

The UNESCO official also pointed to a more harmful example of disinformation: encouraging the taking of medication, approved for other purposes, but not yet clinically proven as being effective against COVID-19.

The good, the bad, and the gullible

Sadly, says Mr. Berger, some have capitalized on the pandemic, to spread disinformation for the purposes of advancing their own agendas: “The motives for spreading disinformation are many, and include political aims, self-promotion, and attracting attention as part of a business model. Those who do so, play on emotions, fears, prejudices and ignorance, and claim to bring meaning and certainty to a reality that is complex, challenging and fast-changing.”

But, he adds, not everyone responsible for spreading untruths is doing so maliciously. Well-intentioned people are also uncritically circulating dubious content. Whatever the reasons, he warns, the outcome is the same: “These different motives require different responses, but we should not lose sight of the fact that, irrespective of intention, the effect of sharing falsehoods is to disinform and disempower the public, with deadly potential.”

Supplying and demanding the truth

Against this, what can be done to ensure that truthful, helpful and potentially life-saving information gains wider prominence? UNESCO’s answer, says Mr. Berger, is to improve the supply of truthful information, and ensure that the demand is met: “We are underlining that governments, in order to counter rumours, should be more transparent, and proactively disclose more data, in line with Right to Information laws and policies. Access to information from official sources is very important for credibility in this crisis.”

“However, this is not a substitute for information supplied by the news media, so we are also intensifying our efforts to persuade authorities to see free and professional journalism as an ally in the fight against disinformation, especially because the news media works openly in the public sphere, whereas much disinformation is under-the-radar, on social messaging apps.”

UNESCO, continued Mr. Berger,  is particularly urging governments “not to impose restrictions on freedom of expression that can harm the essential role of an independent press, but to recognise journalism as a power against disinformation even when it publicises verified information and informed opinion that annoys those in power. There is a strong case to be made that the media deserves to be recognised and supported by governments as an essential service at this time.”

 

To satisfy the demand for authoritative facts, UNESCO is circulating as much reliable public health information as possible, via the media, channels, in partnership with agencies like WHO.

UNESCO is also working to help people become more critical of what is being presented to them online and elsewhere, as fact, so that they are less likely to believe, and spread, falsehoods. The agency is using the hashtags #ThinkBeforeSharing, #ThinkBeforeClicking, and #ShareKnowledge, and promoting the view that the rights to freedom of expression and access to information are the best remedies to the dangers of disinformation.

These rights, says Mr. Berger, “enable governments and the public to take evidence-based decisions about reality, and to put in place responses that are founded on both science and human rights values, and which can get us through the pandemic in the best way.”

________________________________________________
 

Just wanted to clarity.

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Me_

[guntrix]

5 minutes ago, Me_ said:

Well, it’s a very good quote to use so as to reinforce your point no doubt.

 

Here is the entire article from UNESCO for a better perspective on the matter for yourself, or anyone else wanting the actual context of the article:

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, ‘fake news’ is putting lives at risk: UNESCO
_______________________________________________
 

Just wanted time clarity.

Yes, I hyperlinked it. Even with the context the bolded still applies. 

 

26 minutes ago, Me_ said:

Sure.

 

But like in hockey, stats only, don’t win you a Cup.

I understand what you're saying, but this isn't hockey. We're not measuring corsi and save %, we're measuring infections and fatalities. 

 

The most responsible way to form an objective opinion in the era of fake news is to base yourself on science and data, not emotion. The latter feeds into the fear mongering guys like Trump thrive on. 

[Qwags]

How do you teach people to feel empathy? I genuinely do know.

[samurai]

1 hour ago, guntrix said:

Naive is to look at the statistics and turn the other way. People are contributing to misinformation by propagating that anyone can die when one's chances greatly vary depending on age and health. 

 

During this coronavirus pandemic, 'fake news' is putting lives at risk: UNESCO

 

 

there is a group of regular posters who unfortunately bought into the wild modelling weeks ago and are having a hard time letting it go.  This is normal though, it well researched that people when confronted with new facts that challenge their beliefs tend to double down on their original view rather than make that leap.  The arguments from them now are nothing more than moralizing.  

Edited April 25, 2020 by samurai

[Me_]

9 minutes ago, samurai said:

there is a group of regular posters who unfortunately bought into the wild modelling weeks ago and are having a hard time letting it go.  This is normal though, it well researched that people when confronted with new facts that challenge their beliefs tend to double down on their original view rather than make that leap.  The arguments from them now are nothing more than moralizing.  

It is rather unfortunate that, even shiny things haven’t worked with this one.

[samurai]

2 minutes ago, Me_ said:

It is rather unfortunate that, even shiny things haven’t worked with this one.

What is 20% of 7.8 billion  - it is slightly more than the whole population of China. 

[Kragar]

Too many CDC names to tag here, but this is for all of you freaking out over Trump's (and others') comments about using UV light and disinfectant internally.

 

Does any of you understand the concept of innovation?  Spit-balling ideas, including some really hair-brained ones, in the hope that something useful comes from it.

 

I'd be curious how all of you would have felt if he were to ever propose the potential benefits of injecting mustard gas or other poisons to attack the virus.  Hardly sounds safe or sound, does it?

 

I only raise it up because deliberate injection of mustard gases were the first attempts at chemotherapy.

[Canorth]

1 hour ago, Kragar said:

Too many CDC names to tag here, but this is for all of you freaking out over Trump's (and others') comments about using UV light and disinfectant internally.

 

Does any of you understand the concept of innovation?  Spit-balling ideas, including some really hair-brained ones, in the hope that something useful comes from it.

 

I'd be curious how all of you would have felt if he were to ever propose the potential benefits of injecting mustard gas or other poisons to attack the virus.  Hardly sounds safe or sound, does it?

 

I only raise it up because deliberate injection of mustard gases were the first attempts at chemotherapy.

Right.... that’s why he walked his comments back as “sarcasm” or that he didn’t say it at all... that’s why industry leaders were forced to make statements affirming that there products should not be consumed.
 

Because Trump is well known as a pioneer on the cutting edge of medical technology??

 

I wonder how many of those mustard gas scientists were also moonlighting as a science rejecting, charity frauding, fake university operating Conman??

 

Edited April 25, 2020 by Canorth

[Russ]

7 hours ago, NewbieCanuckFan said:

You also have to consider that the good number of those not in that "elderly" category are hardly what I call "in good shape/healthy".  Just look at all the fast food restaurants (not just in the US but our country).  XXX+ sizes in abundance.  Course, that's just my opinion/observation.

 

How many restaurants like THIS:

 

 

Do you really see outside North America?

Not going to lie I have always wanted to visit this since I saw it on one of those cooking shows, more less for the sights and to say I have.

[Jaimito]

"The fish rots from the head down" 

 

 

 

[skategal]

I hope all the CDC group stays safe!  I'm out for awhile, find the ferocity of the debate rather exhausting.  Would be nice to see more respect for different points of view rather than a need to prove each other wrong.  

 

Cheers all!