They can report it a million different ways and they just go on and on and on.
I just watched the news for 10 minutes and already:
Report on a tiny little school and a letter that was sent out about it. What the principal said to parents. Just think, they can report on a million different schools and what letters are sent out and what those letters say. Then they can scrutinize each word in every letter sent out. Then they can talk about the timing of the letter and if it was too fast or too late. Then they can ask if the letter should have been sent out or not. Then they can ask why the letter wasn't sent out. haha.
They just got done going on and on about there not being enough test kits and now they are reporting that too many people are getting tested! Man is complaining that his doctor tested him even though he was never out of the country or in contact with anyone with it. So, let's scrutinize the decision and ask why he was tested. Of course, if he was not tested, they'd be talking about why he wasn't tested. Then, they get to say "confusion about testing."
It's like little kids complaining about every detail no matter what is done.
Then they go on and on about how stores are out of stuff. Gee, I wonder why? Maybe it is because the news keeps reporting that they are out of stuff that creates people wanting to go and buy stuff? So insane.
Then they've got 50 states to go on and on about. How many cases in Missouri? one. How many cases in Colorado. two. How many cases now in Colorado. Still two. How about now. Now there are 3. Oh wait, now there are 2. So now let's say "confusion in colorado among fears of 2 or 3." haha. Hell, why not report 4 and then say confusion as there was only 1.
Such a circus.
Then they go on and on and on about a new report issued. Oh my gosh, a new report. The horror of it! What kind of paper was it printed on. What. We don't know. Why wasn't it reported that there was a paper change. Why was that report issued at 2:01pm instead of at 2pm. Who issued this report. CONFUSION ON TIMING OF REPORT! REPORT WAS TOO SOON. REPORT WAS TOO LATE. CONFUSION ON WHAT TIMING OF REPORT MEANS - EXPERTS DISAGREE! Let's get another panel on this to cluck about it over and over.
Cluck cluck cluck. Oh my, one of the cluckers just laid an egg!
The virus is a genuine threat, it spreads quick, mutates/reinfects, long dormancy, and has a strong kill rate. This is undisputed by any nation's data.
The media can't report that it's not a threat, because the left has decided to be the party of doomers as an attempt to smear Trump.
The media can't report that it's a real threat, because that would be true. So they spread confusion instead, because it gets views because people know that it's a genuine threat.
So what is true?
-Not everyone gets devestated by it, some people get worse cases than others and the complications are what gets you. With first world treatment the risk of death is pretty low, but expect it to kick your ass for at least a week.
-It effects asians worse for genetic reasons, it effects men worse than women. Because of our individualistic life style, (relatively little public transport, relatively rare mingling on the street, mostly separate travel in cars, we shake hands instead of kissing cheeks, mostly separate housing) compared to the shared ventalation systems of China's apartment complexes, open air meat markets, heavy reliance on public transportation, we are in the lower risk group.
-If it spreads uncontrollably it will cause shortages, because people will be stocking up at the same time as the supply chain is damaged by people taking sick leave and increased precautions about sanitation and cross border shipment.
-Shortages are also possible in the medical system. This can result in deaths by denying people the above mentioned first world treatment, but can also kill people who rely heavily on the medical system for different reasons.
What can you do?
-Get ready. I don't mean build a bunker and hide for years, just be ready to lock yourself in your house for a few weeks to avoid straining the support system if you get quarantined. That means food, water, toothpaste, etc, and yes a normal and sane amount of toilet paper. Get it now before it's gone and before going and getting it is a risk to yourself and others.
-Help slow the spread. WASH YOUR HANDS, DON'T TOUCH YOUR FACE IN PUBLIC. WASH/CHANGE CLOTHES WHEN YOU GET HOME. COVER YOUR COUGH. PHONE YOUR LOCAL MEDICAL SYSTEM IF YOU THINK YOU HAVE IT INSTEAD OF GOING THERE PHYSICALLY. Even if it was inevitable that it would infect everyone eventually, less people will die if the emergency systems aren't over burdened so please help us collectively hit the breaks.
-Stop non essential travel.
This is not a political issue. It's going to be everyone's problem if we under react.
TIL 1,000 deaths out of 110,000 infected and 70,000 recovered cases defines a "very high kill rate". The only age group that comment is relevant to might be the 80+yo demographic. Don't forget, the majority of these deaths were in China with a total shit show of a health care system totally incapable of handling an epidemic like this(they spent weeks ignoring and hiding it). South Korea and Italy were hit right around the same time, but SK was prepared earlier and is doing far better. POTUS expected this months ago and took steps when everyone was freaking out over "muh impeachment."
Treat this like any serious flu season and you'll be fine. Aka, don't be disgusting and keep a moderate level of public hygiene.
And stop fear mongering based on CNBC's headlines.