Why are they trying to frighten us?
This morning's news has the most hysterical story I've seen yet in the ongoing bird flu pandemic scare. That's hysterical as in unreasoned panic, not hysterical as in ha-ha.
"WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is scrambling to prepare the nation for a possible global rampage by a new flu germ that it fears could kill nearly 2 million Americans, sicken tens of millions more and shatter the economy.
"The key question is how much preparation can be done before a calamity strikes that, in a worst-case scenario, could make the health system collapse; overwhelm morgues; close schools, airports and harbors; end public gatherings; require strict quarantines; and cripple businesses and vital public services by mass absenteeism.
"'You're looking at a nation-busting event,' warned Tara O'Toole, director of the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center."
After setting up this sky-is-falling scenario, the writer finally admits:
"To be sure, it may not happen. But scientists warn that it's frighteningly possible and that governments at all levels must prepare for the worst.
"Whether such a catastrophe occurs depends upon whether the H5N1 influenza virus now slaughtering birds across Asia and parts of Europe mutates into a form that retains lethal virulence and passes easily among humans. So far it hasn't, and the virus has been around since 1997. But viruses mutate constantly, and most experts agree that the world is statistically overdue for a pandemic." (My italics)
Now, I don't want to die in a pandemic any more than the next fella, and maybe there's evidence that this bug might mutate this winter even though it has not in eight years of killing birds. but as of this morning THERE'S NO DANGER TO HUMANS! Why are they trying to frighten us like this?
This reminds me of right after 9-11 when "terrorists could strike again at any moment so we need a big new federal agency that will invade our lives, make a mockery of our freedom, and spend billions and billions of tax dollars." It reminds me of just before 2000 when computers were going to stop working and people were stockpiling food and cash to help cope with the inevitable chaos.
Our masters have figured out we're easier to manipulate when we're terrified. Don't be afraid.
"WASHINGTON - The Bush administration is scrambling to prepare the nation for a possible global rampage by a new flu germ that it fears could kill nearly 2 million Americans, sicken tens of millions more and shatter the economy.
"The key question is how much preparation can be done before a calamity strikes that, in a worst-case scenario, could make the health system collapse; overwhelm morgues; close schools, airports and harbors; end public gatherings; require strict quarantines; and cripple businesses and vital public services by mass absenteeism.
"'You're looking at a nation-busting event,' warned Tara O'Toole, director of the Center for Biosecurity at the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center."
After setting up this sky-is-falling scenario, the writer finally admits:
"To be sure, it may not happen. But scientists warn that it's frighteningly possible and that governments at all levels must prepare for the worst.
"Whether such a catastrophe occurs depends upon whether the H5N1 influenza virus now slaughtering birds across Asia and parts of Europe mutates into a form that retains lethal virulence and passes easily among humans. So far it hasn't, and the virus has been around since 1997. But viruses mutate constantly, and most experts agree that the world is statistically overdue for a pandemic." (My italics)
Now, I don't want to die in a pandemic any more than the next fella, and maybe there's evidence that this bug might mutate this winter even though it has not in eight years of killing birds. but as of this morning THERE'S NO DANGER TO HUMANS! Why are they trying to frighten us like this?
This reminds me of right after 9-11 when "terrorists could strike again at any moment so we need a big new federal agency that will invade our lives, make a mockery of our freedom, and spend billions and billions of tax dollars." It reminds me of just before 2000 when computers were going to stop working and people were stockpiling food and cash to help cope with the inevitable chaos.
Our masters have figured out we're easier to manipulate when we're terrified. Don't be afraid.
posted by B.W. Richardson at
8:08 AM
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