Peter Sandman says it is officials, not citizens, who needlessly panic: [There are] people who do think avian flu is serious but don't think the public should take it seriously. That's a position held by a number of people in the government and a number of people in a number of governments who argue that, yes, we the government are going to prepare, but for God's sake don't tell the public, because . . . they might get excessively frightened, and that might be bad for their psychology and bad for the economy. God forbid people should be afraid just because they're going to be dead. As the economists earlier on pointed out, it doesn't hurt the economy all that much for a lot of people to die, but if a lot of people get frightened, that's bad for business! So, there's a sense that we dare not frighten people. The other base in this argument says, "It's serious but let's not say so," [because] there's nothing for people to do anyhow. … What I want to do with the rest of my time is rebut those two arguments.
There is currently a ban on the importing of birds and bird products from countries affected with influenza A viruses. No one may import birds, or products derived from birds (including hatching eggs), from the specified countries.
Travelers should avoid visits to live-bird markets in areas with an avian flu outbreak. People who work with birds who might be infected should use protective clothing and special breathing masks. Avoiding undercooked or uncooked meat reduces the risk of exposure to avian flu and other foodborne diseases.Texas Gun Trust
Mightn't government officials fear panic because it deprives them of control and power? If you believe you know what is best for the populace, the last thing you'd want to have happen is the populace to act on its own accord (which they WILL do if frightened enough, regardless of attempts to stop them).
I'm not sure I find the argument that officials want to avoid looking bad to be persuasive. The public generally finds out about any event big enough to "cause a panic" anyway, even if officials can keep it under wraps temporarily.
This was one of the lessons included during my military training in urban ops: that citizens (Canadians, anyway) don't panic. During national emergencies, such as the Quebec ice storm, they've always cooperated with an organized and efficient government task force.
What I'm afraid of, is what else is happening in the world that we're not hearing about because we're all too busy talking about this disease that's going to kill a handful of people, just like tons of other diseases do all the time?
"That's a position held by a number of people in the government and a number of people in a number of governments who argue that, yes, we the government are going to prepare, but for God's sake don't tell the public, because . . . they might get excessively frightened, and that might be bad for their psychology and bad for the economy."
But didn't we see officials publicly panicking during the height of the financial crisis? Bush, Bernanke and Paulson all gave very nervous public speeches both before and after Lehman.
Is a financial crisis somehow different than an epidemic, regarding the manipulation of public opinion? It might be. Since we think we designed the economy, we're more likely to think we can do something to fix it. An epidemic, on the other hand, is a threat external to humanity.
I thought it was about media outlets trying to sell advertising to stir things up, and then the politicians needing to respond to maintain voter constituencies. You know, wag the dog.
OH GOD I HADN'T HEARD ABOUT PANIC PANIC BEFORE!!! WHAT IF IT GETS HERE!!! WHAT IF IT HAPPENS TO MY CHILDREN??? MAYBE I SHOULD JUST KILL THEM NOW TO SPARE THEM THE PAIN!!! AAAAAAAH!!!
There is currently a ban on the importing of birds and bird products from countries affected with influenza A viruses. No one may import birds, or products derived from birds (including hatching eggs), from the specified countries.
Karen
Travelers should avoid visits to live-bird markets in areas with an avian flu outbreak. People who work with birds who might be infected should use protective clothing and special breathing masks. Avoiding undercooked or uncooked meat reduces the risk of exposure to avian flu and other foodborne diseases.Texas Gun Trust
Mightn't government officials fear panic because it deprives them of control and power? If you believe you know what is best for the populace, the last thing you'd want to have happen is the populace to act on its own accord (which they WILL do if frightened enough, regardless of attempts to stop them).
I'm not sure I find the argument that officials want to avoid looking bad to be persuasive. The public generally finds out about any event big enough to "cause a panic" anyway, even if officials can keep it under wraps temporarily.
This was one of the lessons included during my military training in urban ops: that citizens (Canadians, anyway) don't panic. During national emergencies, such as the Quebec ice storm, they've always cooperated with an organized and efficient government task force.
What I'm afraid of, is what else is happening in the world that we're not hearing about because we're all too busy talking about this disease that's going to kill a handful of people, just like tons of other diseases do all the time?
US, excellent XKCD, as always.
"That's a position held by a number of people in the government and a number of people in a number of governments who argue that, yes, we the government are going to prepare, but for God's sake don't tell the public, because . . . they might get excessively frightened, and that might be bad for their psychology and bad for the economy."
But didn't we see officials publicly panicking during the height of the financial crisis? Bush, Bernanke and Paulson all gave very nervous public speeches both before and after Lehman.
Is a financial crisis somehow different than an epidemic, regarding the manipulation of public opinion? It might be. Since we think we designed the economy, we're more likely to think we can do something to fix it. An epidemic, on the other hand, is a threat external to humanity.
I thought it was about media outlets trying to sell advertising to stir things up, and then the politicians needing to respond to maintain voter constituencies. You know, wag the dog.
http://xkcd.com/574/
Oh no, the officials are about to panic out of fear we would panic! I'm in panic panic panic!
I'm developing infinite panic regress panic.
OH GOD I HADN'T HEARD ABOUT PANIC PANIC BEFORE!!! WHAT IF IT GETS HERE!!! WHAT IF IT HAPPENS TO MY CHILDREN??? MAYBE I SHOULD JUST KILL THEM NOW TO SPARE THEM THE PAIN!!! AAAAAAAH!!!