From Politics to Pandemics

So, Facebook has been blowing up with posts and status updates and comment wars about the Swine Flu. Certainly you’ve seen them.

On the one hand, this is an age where information comes at us in many different ways, and those folks posting links and video clips to their FB walls are part of that dissemination.

On the other hand, sound bites do not accurately convey all that is important to know about an issue.

And, now that the hot topic is the (dun dun DUN) Swine Flu, information is being passed around all wrapped up in emotion. Logical concern is turning to fear is turning to paranoia, and that, my friends, is causing the harsh words and the judgments to fly.

For example. Monday morning a friend of mine (who works as a Pediatric Nurse Practitioner) was bracing herself for a day of dealing with nervous parents. Being that I prefer to get my pandemic information from those in the medical profession and not politicians and conspiracy theorists, I paid attention to her updates. While she provided logical information about the virus, the symptoms, and the “what you should do”s, naturally there were others who admonished her for mentioning that this is coming from Mexico. As if she was divulging her secretly held prejudices about Latinos. Come ON.

But, on the other extreme, another FB friend is posting every update about potential swine flu in her state to her wall, and a debate ensued when one commenter was discussing an upcoming trip to Cabo. Knowing this commenter as well as I do, I immediately recognized the tongue in cheek nature of many of her statements, and I also know she would never discuss the true fears and concerns about the health of her young children in such a public forum. Yet, because she didn’t immediately say she was cancelling her trip, she was met with warnings, admonishments, and insinuations such as:

“ . . . you have young children to think of.”

“comments like [hers] make me nervous for our community.”

“. . . SCARY!!!”

“All it takes is for one person to go to Mexico . . . and then they themselves become ground zero for [her] county.”

Whoa.

Well, there was a time not that long ago when I blogged about fear. I discussed my fears about electing a man to the highest office in the land based on his ability to give good speech instead of a track record of proven experience. I had what I believed to be honest concerns about the man behind the name on that ballot.

And I was attacked up one side and down another. Attacked. Called names. Had my intelligence questioned. Told that my willingness to perpetuate fear in my corner of the blogosphere was racist, ignorant, and plain old wrong. Just because issues surrounding this candidate made me nervous.

Yet somehow when we transfer the Fear Machine from politics to pandemics, it’s not only acceptable, it is required.

See, in this Facebook back and forth, I suggested over and over that this insinuation that our Facebook friend was about to do something that would turn their entire county into “Ground Zero” was going a bit far. That perhaps we should focus less on the spread of paranoia, and more on the spread of good information.

And of course I had to stick up for my friend, whom I know means no harm. So, I say:

“Caution is good! And necessary. But insinuating that somebody's tongue in cheek FB conversation about an impending vacation that is several weeks away is somehow a concern for the community? Well, I just think there is enough paranoia in the world without saying something about [husband] and [wife’s] upcoming decision. I've never known them to make decisions to put anyone in harms way.”

But I am again on the wrong side of the fear argument. I was told that I was “jumping all over anyone who disagreed with me.”

Now, I realize that I alone have editorial control over what portions of the debate I post here, but I have shown the entire back and forth to several people, and they were left scratching their heads the same way I was – because I didn’t disagree. I don’t disagree. We need to proceed with caution. We need facts. It’s hard enough nursing sick kids through colds and ear infections, for Pete’s sake, much less something more serious.

But, it’s also hard for some people to weed through the propaganda and settle on the solid information. Why create additional controversy when the actual issue is enough?

And why do it on a Facebook page, pointing fingers at the comments of people who are supposed to be your friends?

I bowed out of this FB debate. And not surprisingly, after I conceded, and said that I would not be returning to the page, the two people who decided I was so wrong (even though we actually agreed) had their last words. Because I get the updates to my email account, I read them.

“ . . . you worry about your community, and we’ll worry about ours.”

“BTW Just in defense of myself...I said "comments LIKE [mutual friend]’s make me nervous"...not [mutual friend] herself makes me nervous!! Never has!! Nice try [mommy2joe]!!!!”

Sigh.

So, what I’m saying is this.Wash your hands, cover your mouth when you cough, limit or omit your travel to high risk areas, stay home from work if you feel sick, and seek treatment if you suspect you might have it. Keep a level head, an eye on the news, and for the love of God be careful what you engage in on Facebook! Because those words (and the emotion and intent behind them) will hang in the air long after the fear and the threat of illness is behind us, no matter how long you scrub under hot water with antibacterial soap.