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| "E.R." |
216. According to Redelmeier, "Eighty percent of doctors don't think probabilities apply to their patients . . . Just like 95 percent of married couples don't believe the 50 percent divorce rate applies to them, and 95 percent of drunk drivers don't think the statistics that show that you are more likely to be killed if you are driving drunk than if you are driving sober applies to them" (216).
With respect to Covid-19 statistics, which do you think is a bigger problem: People don't believe the statistics apply to them? People don't believe the statistics (i.e., question the sources)? The statistics attributed to "experts" are false? The statistics are real but average people don't know them? Give examples.
Many people today, I believe, do not believe that the statistics apply to them as seen by the many people who do not think that COVID-19 is a big deal while ignoring the numbers. People also do not wear masks as they believe that they do not have COVID-19 even though there are many non-symptomatic people. I also believe that some people do not believe that the statistics are not as bad as they really are. An example of this happening is Oklahoma's governor refusing a mask mandate even after he had COVID-19 himself.
ReplyDeleteI think the biggest factor, at least in the case of this pandemic, is how we tend to view the media. There are plenty of obvious instances where the media has misrepresented, downplayed, and outright lied about events. This leads to distrust, and it is healthy to question things you see or read about online. But a significant amount of people take this to the extreme, and won’t believe anything they’re told, even if contrary evidence is plentiful. To many, it’s much easier to consider statistics false than it is to change viewpoints. This is how conspiracy theories are born, and even if most people don’t believe them, anybody who hears them and has a distrust of the media will subconsciously have that distrust amplified.
ReplyDeleteI believe that one of the biggest problems is that the statistics are unreliable. Some tests get lost, there are false positives or negatives, and some institutions don’t report their numbers. Plus, most people aren’t even getting tested yet. Also, the media manipulates the data in every which way it can. They report the number of cases instead of percentages to make it look better or worse in that area. (50,000 people sounds like a lot, but it sounds like a lot less if it’s only 15% of a population.) When you know that the statistics are unreliable, it is a lot easier to say that they don’t apply to you. This leads to people socializing in close quarters without masks on.
ReplyDelete-Michael Draper
I agree with Michael and that tests are not reported. I am a registered pharmacy technician in Texas, and I personally had to deal with Covid-19 cases. There was one day I was working and one of the nurses from a local hospital was talking to us and said they didn't report their first Covid case for almost two weeks because they didn't want anyone to know that a patient staying there had gotten it. Along with that the media also reports by numbers and not percentages, but they fail to include the cases that people recovered. You rarely hear about the people who recovered, but you are almost guaranteed to hear how many new cases were positive. In working the past few months, the media has played a big roll, but I can personally say I have seen people recover from this and nothing was said. If there were percentages released about Covid in the county I live in, people would definitely be surprised on how many actually got it and how many have recovered.
ReplyDeleteI think that COVID-19 media coverage has led to confusion among many people, with a mix of statistical information and anecdotal stories presented as to keep viewers engaged. I think that many people downplay the virus because they personally don’t know anyone that has been affected by it, or they have gotten fatigued of hearing about it, or they mistrust the media. Statistics can be manipulated and presented in ways to sensationalize a story. I listened to a podcast recently where the scientist speaking stated that “figures don’t lie, but liars' figure all the time”. I don’t believe that all sources seek to mislead, but a person’s own bias certainly can contribute to the way that information is given. I think most people just don’t know what to believe anymore because we have a 24-hour news cycle that has focused on COVID for months and the main thrust of the story is to be very afraid.
ReplyDeleteI think it’s much more dangerous for people to think they’re the exception, and that the statistics don’t apply to them. When people know and understand the risks of something, but choose to ignore it is much more dangerous and presents a different type of risk than people being ignorant and not knowing or believing the statistics. By thinking they are the exception they are putting everyone they come into contact with at risk and contributing to the spread of the virus.
ReplyDeleteWhile I do believe in "PeRsOnAl LiBeRtY" I personally comply with "recommendations" Because one of my biggest fears, as of late, is giving the virus to someone or having it spread through me result in a loss of life.
Delete-Elijah Woodward
I REALLY liked this section of the selection. (Ha rhymes). It is illogical, yes, to think one's self as above a statistic. Like was mentioned in the book, married couples do not think themselves a apart of divorce statistics. I too would like to think my parents as being above this statistic. Which I still believe to be true. When looking at statistics I believe they are good indicators of probable outcomes, but we can and should attempt to set ourselves up to be on the "right" side of them.
ReplyDeleteIn regards To the COVID statistics, I would rather not Get into view points on testing and mortality rates, But If we are to assume the statistics provided to us are correct then, yes, to be responsible is to do things to keep one's self and others safe. The question in my mind is, "when is too much enough?" As stated earlier certain actions may be viewed as responsible, But responsibility comes from within and to be forced to do something is not personal responsibility but obedience to an authority. This forced compliance Is what I believe I have seen many people take trouble with.
-Elijah Woodward
Hi, Elijah, thanks for your comment. I agree that it is illogical to think oneself above a statistic. Statistics exist purely from actual results. COVID-19 statistics are admittedly skewed, but I find the rules and regulations in place to not be enough, at all. Responsibility indeed comes from within, but if the population will NOT TAKE RESPONSIBILITY, then of course it must be forced upon them. In most other countries, cases are down dramatically, but in the United States it is most certainly not. There is no need for Americans to care about others anymore, because they all view themselves above the statistic.
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