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])-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 The Detroit scene https://www.crainsd...lies-43-deaths-2295 [RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020] "No other factors" https://www.theguar...covid-19-family-sayShe was 21. [RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020] No. People are not dying in my city from panic.-- RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020 So, what are they dying from (not being facetious (probably a first)) ?
Fewer people will probably be dying in traffic accidents.
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.
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.
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.
So, what are people dying from ? It's a perfectly serious question.-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 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.-- RayfordSteele, Mar 28 2020 Ahh, humans. There's your problem, right there.
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 ?
That will be interesting to know.-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 Make it so, Number 8.-- 21 Quest, Mar 28 2020 [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?-- 21 Quest, Mar 28 2020 // Why aren't those flu deaths important? Why aren't they as worthy of panic and quarantine? //
All right, you were warned. Talking common sense in a public place ... guilty as charged. Off you go to the Re-Education Camp ...
Oh, and do you mind putting this mask on ? Not because of infection ... just so we don't have to look at your face ...-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 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 ?
<Tucks tartan blanket around [CH]'s knees, goes off to wipe dribble off [21Q]'s chin/>
It's one in "Corona News" about "too much Star Trek".-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 // walking into a room and forgetting what I came in for //
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.-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 Thanks, the beard does tend to accumulate the dribble...-- 21 Quest, Mar 28 2020 We've noticed. Wouldn't it be a trifle more polite to grow a beard of your own, though ?-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 But so much less assertive than adding one's follicular distinctiveness to one's own, Shirley?-- 21 Quest, Mar 28 2020 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....
You do realize that "Deliverance" was fictional, not a sort of over-long out doors TED talk ?-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 I'll get back to you on that last bit...-- 21 Quest, Mar 28 2020 Fine, just stop practicing that "Sqeal like a pig... " line out loud, you're getting much too convincing.-- 8th of 7, Mar 28 2020 random, halfbakery