Here’s an interesting example of 2 realities, expressed perfectly in headlines. This one is from CNBC, published on May 5.
The coronavirus has mutated and appears to be more contagious now, new study finds
This same news headline appeared on Fox News on May 5
New mutation indicates that coronavirus might be weakening, study says
These are apparently two different studies. The CNBC headline focuses on a study done at Los Alamos National Laboratory by computational biologist Betty Korber, the lead author. “The study has yet to be peer-reviewed, but the researchers noted that news of the mutation was of “urgent concern” considering the more than 100 vaccines in the process of being developed to prevent Covid-19.”
The Fox News headline focuses on a study at Arizona State University’s Biodesign Institute. The lead study author, Dr. Efren Lim, is an assistant professor at the nstitute, and his team use a new technology called next-generation sequencing to rapidly read the genetic code of the coronavirus, referred to scientists as SARS-CoV-2.
The article notes, “However, it’s too soon to say whether the novel coronavirus is beginning to lose its potency, according to the researchers.”
Two different news sites, two different studies, two different conclusions. If you politicize these headlines, the republicans will seize on the Fox News article as proof that trump’s push to reopen the country is justified. The democrats will seize on the CNBC as an argument for why we shouldn’t reopen too soon.
But in the end, we have to decide for ourselves. As of this evening at nearly 9 PM, the number of COVID cases in the U.S. stands at 1,237,579, with 72, 264 deaths. Globally, the numbers stand at: 3,724,511 with 258,026 deaths. These stats are from the worldometer
About a month ago, on April 5, those stats stood at: more than 337,000 cases in the U.S. and 9,605 deaths. Worldwide, those stats were: 1,271,875 cases and 68,437.
What will these stats look like a month from now, on June 5, with most states now reopening? Do the math.
Most people just do not understand exponential growth. Period.
Good point, Nancy! Always good to see you.
When you consider the history of, say, how long it took to develop the Polio vaccine, truly, this is not going to be “solved” in a month or two and then back to “business as usual”. Maybe “business as usual” is permanently over, and we are witnessing a new society, certainly, a new understanding of what globalization means, along with climate change. But regardless, it is truly disgusting to see this politicized, as people are dying. We are seeing the Plague of our time, and it is indifferent to any political agenda.
Normal is gone. The question is what the new normal will be.
I agree – I really do think a new society is evolving right in front of us, with new leaders and innovators arising, along with all the reactionaries as well. I meant to share this link to interesting article in Business Insider …..sorry, forgot.
https://www.businessinsider.com/people-who-seemingly-predicted-the-coronavirus-pandemic-2020-3#virologist-and-flu-expert-robert-g-webster-predicted-an-upcoming-flu-pandemic-in-a-book-he-published-in-december-3
I have faith that the truth will out. If there weren’t so many people dying I would say this is an interesting experiment in general intelligence.
The numbers rise daily.