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Has threat of the coronavirus been overhyped by media?
Most stories are responsible, but the deluge of endless stories can be a problem, writes Paul Berton.
OPINION Mar 07, 2020 by Paul Berton Email Paul Berton The Hamilton Spectator
In this Feb. 11, 2020, file photo, the Grand Princess cruise ship passes the Golden Gate Bridge as it arrives from Hawaii in San Francisco. Scrambling to keep the coronavirus at bay, officials ordered the cruise ship to hold off the California coast Thursday, March 5, to await testing of those aboard, after a passenger on an earlier voyage died and at least one other became infected. - Scott Strazzante , The Associated Press file photo
Has the media overhyped the coronavirus?
It's a good question.
You might be surprised to know journalists ask it often. It is a regular point of discussion here.
After all, there are endless stories about the COVID-19 outbreak. The deluge is part of the problem. Business articles, health warnings, travel advisories, social studies, economic stories, political fallout.
But what is the alternative? As always, we believe more (good) information is better than less. And it is hard to avoid discussion about some of the early societal changes occurring because of the virus.
Still, we consider the effects not just of each story we write, but also those we publish that are produced around the world. We are not perfect, but do not take this responsibility lightly.
We decided early not to report on local unconfirmed cases. Last week, we reported the case of a McMaster University student who self-quarantined only because the university's website had already published it, and its absence may have been conspicuous.
We have reminded readers, as we do each flu season, to wash their hands frequently, cough carefully, and to get vaccinated. Indeed, our many stories over the years about the real and practical benefits of vaccinations have been ignored by many, while a single story about a quarantined cruise ship can send those same folks into a needless panic for masks that experts say will not work.
We did not write the predictable stories about local shortages of cleaners and protective products, or apparent lineups at Costco or beyond, or alleged hoarding of canned goods or other materials.
Some politicians prefer to control the message to their advantage. The current U.S. president has predictably blamed the media for uncertainty in the financial markets and contradicted his own experts. Without evidence, just as he questioned vaccinations in the past, he has tried to downplay the threat and trumpet his own command of a fluid situation that looks anything but under control.
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