I said nothing about Donald. I am saying that the media is sensationalist. It always has been - remember the old saying if it bleeds it leads.
Looking around my area, your millions is an overstatement. Most churches are either not meeting in person or meeting with very limited attendance and strict social distancing in place. Talking about those churches wouldn’t generate viewership so they won’t get any coverage. So all churches get lumped into those who are meeting, when I would say the vast majority of churches are not meeting.
I know it only takes one church, bar, or beach to start another hot spot and I shake my head at those who choose to put others at risk in these ways. I am just saying there are more responsible people than gets portrayed.
I think you’re absolutely right, and polling reveals that the vast majority of citizenry across all demographics are taking this a lot more seriously than many governmental leaders, which is why the efforts of some leaders and media types to turn public health into some sort of politicized culture war is so baffling to me.
I’m pretty sure everyone - both the news media and their consumers - knows that. I don’t have any problem with them shining a light on stupid people/groups doing stupid things, because they can serve as cautionary tales for the rest of us. There are thousands of pastors all over this country facing pressure (and in some cases, demands from a segment of their populiation) to reopen their churches’ doors. You don’t think hearing about that rural Arkansas congregation (40% infected, a few died) helps inform their decision making?
When all those people who can’t stay in all stop getting sick, then I’ll know it’s safe to go out. As stupid and reckless as those people are, and I wish them well, to me they are like test lab specimens. Canaries in a coal mine, guinea pigs, rats.
The grisly milestone reached:
Worldometers just posted 100,002 U.S. dead of COVID 19. The Johns Hopkins model is about 1600 behind and will reach six figures probably tomorrow.
I expected reduction in reported fatalities over the holiday weekend as Sundays are often low death reporting days, so we may see some catch-up on record keeping in the next couple of days. Perhaps warmer weather and mask wearing will help keep the daily numbers subdued, but I would not be surprised to see them increase starting in a couple of weeks.
In a state with a population of 10 million, a dozen people showing up with guns to the state legislature will make national news, and elevate their cause exponentially above it’s merit. It’s hard to make a protest newsworthy when you do it by staying home.
At this point, I am starting to give less of a shit about the people who flaunt social distancing and masks. It’s still just so aggravating that they’re making the rest of us have to stay at home longer, and it’s outrageous that they will infect any number of people who were trying to do the right thing.
There are a lot more wrecks that happen that are preventable than ever make it on the news. They only do it if the circumstances bad enough to keep people’s attention. It has nothing to do with being called out, it has to do with stories that grab & keep the viewer/reader’s attention.
In terms of the Houston area, the local officials did a good job from keeping things from getting out of hand. We will see what happens with the easing of restrictions, but as of now we are doing fine.
