Create a pandemic

Every which way you turn, look, listen or read; you can’t help but getting another serving of the Coronavirus Pandemic that’s globetrotting around the world scaring the daylights out of most people.

Perhaps the heighted concerns, fears and perceived risks so many have is the result of the way in which the latest and greatest Coronavirus grim reaper news is reported by the media.  Yellow journalism pioneers Joseph Pulitzer and William Randolph Hearst, in their fierce competition to outdo each other measured by newspapers sold, figured it out over 120 years ago.  

The modern media continues this yellow journalism legend with the news articles it delivers except now, the measure is the number of times an internet article is clicked by internet surfers rather than the number of newspapers sold on street corners more than one hundred years ago.

Doom and gloom news, written yellow journalism style, often has little or no legitimate research.  Instead, it’s delivered with eye-catching headlines, exaggerations and/or sensationalism because that type of news does a better job of enticing us to read or click.

And, our political leaders oftentimes join the yellow journalism-style club with their announcements.  

California Governor Gavin Newsom is a case in point when he recently said that up to 56 percent of Californians stood to be infected with the Coronavirus in the next two months, unnecessarily scaring the daylight out of a bazillion Californians.  He has made no mention, to my knowledge that up to 80 percent of those who have been confirmed having the Coronavirus experienced the mild symptoms version of it.

Elected official and yellow journalism media tag team effort

Fear has an amazing ability to turn masses of fiercely independent people into sheeple, people who are docile, compliant or easily influenced.  If we become sheeple, our elected leaders who believe more government is better government will race to claim the job of being the sheeple herders, guiding all during this "sheepledemic".

Sheepledemic – Mass panic of epidemic proportions resulting in herd behavior of people like a herd of sheep.  Used to describe mass voluntary acquiesce to a suggestion without critical analysis or research.  It's created by a fear-thriving media and political leaders who believe more government that results is control of a nation and world by those in charge is better government.  Good for promoting socialism and communism. 

This Coronavirus brings back memories from eleven years ago when my wife and I visited Mexico City to attend a one-week pro-life conference and retreat.  Much to our surprise, we arrived during week one of the Swine Flu Pandemic of 2009.

Prior to our departure, many people who had visited Mexico City, including my wife who has relatives living there, warned of what would be waiting to greet me when I arrived.  Unbelievable air pollution and traffic congestion is what they told me.  However, “thanks” to the Swine Flu Pandemic, I experienced none.  The Mexico City skies were blue, the air was fresh and jaywalking across a busy Avenida was something I did with ease.

Swine Flu week one 2009 in Mexico City with no traffic

This one-week visit gave me a rare firsthand chance to observe how the government and people of Mexico City, and outlying areas we visited, responded to this escalating pandemic.  The behaviors, sights and sounds I witnessed were not much different than what we’re now experiencing with Coronavirus.  Face masks were worn, churches and businesses were closed, and the people of Mexico City were not out and about living and thriving like their normal.  

For me, a visitor, it was a one-week surreal experience that I vividly remember to this day.

Mexico City mobile medical personnel 

during week one of the 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic

Mexico City mariachi business as usual during week

one  of 2009 Swine Flu Pandemic in Mexico City

At the end of the week, I remember collecting my observations and reflecting on what had been my experience.  What emerged was a defining reflection that if you want to control the people, create a pandemic.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum