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Unsurprisingly, credibility of public institutions is at an all time low, and plummeting.
If people won't believe real people, how about fictional ones ? Likeable, helpful heroes ?
So, recruit The Doctor as a spokesperson.
<TV flickers/>
"We interrupt this program for an incredibly important
public service broadcast"
Cut to a news conference in the console room of the TARDiS. Centre, The Doctor, flanked by real world leaders. Behind, a huge W.H.O. logo is projected.
"People of Earth, I am The Doctor, and I've travelled across Time and Space once again to help the inhabitants of my favourite Class M planet. A lot of people are falling ill at the moment. I've come to warn you that this is the result of a virus deliberately released by the Zillnions of Tharg to cause panic and confusion so they can safely invade. Now, this virus is actually harmless to the vast majority of people, and just makes them a bit ill for a short time; it's the panic that's the problem, not the disease. So, to thwart the Zillnions and their evil plans, what you need to do is this ... "
We suggest using a CGI version of the Third or Fourth doctor to add to the mystique, followed by a few "personal appearances" around the planet.
(Idea inspired by a comment by [CH])
The Detroit scene
https://www.crainsd...lies-43-deaths-2295
[RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020]
"No other factors"
https://www.theguar...covid-19-family-say
She was 21. [RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020]
[link]
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No. People are not dying in my city from panic. |
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So, what are they dying from (not being facetious (probably a first)) ? |
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Fewer people will probably be dying in traffic accidents. |
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People will be dying from heart disease, cancer, organ failure, COPD, pneumonia, plain "old age" - all the usual things. The things people inevitably die of, all the time, everywhere. |
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Some of those deaths will be of individuals infected by Covid-19. In most cases, the infection will be a contributary in association with other conditions. In relatively few cases, it certainly will be the sole cause. |
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But without honest, timely data - ALL the data - what meaningful conclusions can be drawn ? [Denholm] has been blogging some fascinating datasets but it's not the full picture. |
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So, what are people dying from ? It's a perfectly serious question. |
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Misinformation, missed opportunity, lack of
resources, and ignorance, largely, perpetuated by
idiots carrying the virus from spring breakers, and
idiots in charge who ignored it for two months after
firing the pandemic response team a year prior. |
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Ahh, humans. There's your problem, right there. |
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Consider the effect on mortality in the general population. EXCLUDING those deaths in which Covid-19 is only a CONTRIBUTORY factor, will the reduction of deaths from traffic accidents, firearms incidents, falling over in the street and bar fights counterbalance the deaths SOLELY from the virus ? |
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That will be interesting to know. |
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[Rayfordsteele] while I suspect we're from the same
country (USA?) what people HAVE died from in large
numbers is the common flu. CDC estimates put the
number of deaths attributed to the flu just THIS SEASON at
between 20,000-40,000. Meanwhile, nationwide we've just
barely topped 1,000 from Coronavirus. And they've been
here, working their way through the population this season,
for almost just as long. Why aren't those flu deaths
important? Why aren't they as worthy of panic and
quarantine? |
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// Why aren't those flu deaths important? Why aren't they as worthy of panic and quarantine? // |
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All right, you were warned. Talking common sense in a public place ... guilty as charged. Off you go to the Re-Education Camp ... |
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Oh, and do you mind putting this mask on ? Not because of infection ... just so we don't have to look at your face ... |
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We know. WE KNOW. YES. WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR CUP OF TEA ? CUP OF TEA ? NO, IT'S NOT TIME FOR "ITMA". Do you want your blanket tucking BLANKET TUCKING IN .? No, that's not Mr. Attlee, he just looks like ... no, they're your slippers, no-one's taking your stuff ... CUP OF TEA ? TEA ? |
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<Tucks tartan blanket around [CH]'s knees, goes off to wipe dribble off [21Q]'s chin/> |
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It's one in "Corona News" about "too much Star Trek". |
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// walking into a room and forgetting what I came in for // |
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This is the bathroom, and you came in to ... oh. Oh no. Oh dear, not again. No, don't move, you'll just make more mess ... no, it's all right, it's not your fault. No, it's not raining, you feel wet because ... yes, you've had another accident. The nurses are coming to help you. No, not Hattie Jacques. No, that was only a movie. No, not her either ... besides, she died in 1973 ... too much tea, is all. Tea. TEA. No, you've just had tea, that's why ... never mind. |
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Thanks, the beard does tend to accumulate the dribble... |
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We've noticed. Wouldn't it be a trifle more polite to grow a beard of your own, though ? |
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But so much less assertive than adding one's follicular
distinctiveness to one's own, Shirley? |
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You've always been a silver-tongued charmer, haven't you ? We suppose that account for your disturbing success with all those domestic and domesticated animals.... |
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You do realize that "Deliverance" was fictional, not a sort of over-long out doors TED talk ? |
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I'll get back to you on that last bit... |
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Fine, just stop practicing that "Sqeal like a pig... " line out loud, you're getting much too convincing. |
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