Thursday, March 19, 2020

Six of them

Asshats, six of them, with their names visible for anyone to reference. Stupid, selfish, utterly irresponsible.

A related post
Homeric blindness in “colledge”

comments: 10

Anonymous said...

This should be an example of failed marketing/health messages! I was surprised to hear that Florida would still be open for spring break week. The state should put all of them on quarantine for 3 weeks.

I think it points out a problem in the coronavirus messaging. By focusing on the over 60 group and those with underlying health issues, the under 40 think they are immune or it's no big deal if I get sick.

The problem is that they don't know how there body will react if they do get it. I just looked at the 2020 flu stats: "Laboratory confirmed influenza associated hospitalization rates for the overall U.S. population remain moderate compared to recent seasons, but rates for children 0-4 years and adults 18-49 years are now the highest CDC has on record for these age groups, surpassing rates reported during the 2009 H1N1 pandemic."

https://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/index.htm

Kirsten

Michael Leddy said...

Well said. The fabulist-in-chief and his enablers have done so much so skew public perceptions. I’m appalled that young adults, even if they think they’re immortal, wouldn’t stop to think about those they might endanger.

Fresca said...

Fascinating, perfect examples of several cognitive biases on view here, such as
The "It won't happen to me" bias
The Sunk-cost fallacy (I already went to the trouble/expense of getting here)
etc.

"Hidden Brain" podcast can interview these people later (if, knock on wood, they're all alive, and I hope they are!).

Reminds me of some young people's attitudes toward (and public health failed messaging about) HIV/AIDS too.

Pete said...

Hey, kids, you know what really ruins spring break? The deaths of you and/or your loved ones afterward. Poe’s “The Masque of the Red Death” comes to life.

Anonymous said...

Wow, their faces look so unintelligent, so downright dumb. Were they chosen as caricatures of today's shallow Americans? How embarrassing. They're completely clueless and irresponsible.

Michael Leddy said...

Thanks, Fresca, Pete, and Anon. for your comments. These partiers might take to heart a message that health professionals are putting forward: “We stayed at work for you. You stay at home for us.”

Elaine said...

I was struck by how many were overweight, unclean, or unkempt. It added an extra layer to the vapid, ignorant, and slangy vibe.

Michael Leddy said...

Here’s something I hope is true, from the webcomic Savage Chickens, as two chickens watch the news:

“Wow. A crisis really brings out the worst in some people.”

“Luckily, it brings out the best in the rest of the people.”

Elaine said...

OMG Savage Chickens! You just did my X mas shopping! Thx!

Michael Leddy said...

And thanks to the reader who alerted me to this comic. Everyone’s an influencer!