The Fear Epidemic and the Politics of Fear

In the United States, the fear of contracting Ebola is greater than the chances of one getting Ebola. This is partially due to some media outlets using the Ebola scare for ratings. However, it is mostly due to some politicians who are using the Ebola scare for their own political agenda. Capitalizing on such a scare is fear mongering, and that is tantamount to a form of terrorism.

The United States Department of Defense defines terrorism as “the calculated use of unlawful violence or threat of unlawful violence to inculcate fear; intended to coerce or to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological.” Within this definition, there are three key elements—violence, fear, and intimidation—and each element produces terror in its victims.

Though politicians and media are not using violence or the threat of violence to inculcate fear, but, by sensationalizing the scare with what is often misinformation, they are successfully inculcating fear among the American people. Participating in such fear mongering for personal or political agendas is unforgiveable and can only negatively impact the well-being of the American people.

When decisions are made based upon fear, rather than science, such decisions are often not sound ones. It is important that we stay informed with facts and not opinions. Decisions regarding the health of our citizens should be made based upon science and not irrational fear.

Here are some facts:

There are about 36,000 flu deaths per year in the United States. This number includes people who die from the flu itself and those who develop complications from the flu - such as pneumonia and then die from that illness. The CDC estimates that between 5 and 20 percent of the country's population gets the flu each year.

The CDC and state public health laboratories have documented 691 cases of enterovirus D68 in 46 states and the District of Columbia. Five patients who died had the virus strain, even if it's not certain all of them died because of it.

 

Currently, only one person in our country has died from Ebola. For more information about this please read my web article, “Ebola vs Enterovirus D68: Which is a GreaterThreat?” 

Picture credit: Bartlomiej Stroinski