The Irish media hysteria

RunningFlyer · 08-08-2020 7:05pm #1

Forgive me for starting a thread if one already exists - I’ve read so many different threads and posts I’ve probably missed the obvious however...

It seems everyone is waiting daily for the 6pm figures to find out the latest cases and deaths situation. It’s scary to see how every single media outlet in this country is putting all their attention on this (yes, gloom sells). Not just RTE, but the other stations and every single paper has the latest on the front page in some form or another.

Contrast this to European media - search any of the national news channels or newspapers and you’ll find its never (usually) the top story. They are over the initial panic and are I guess realise they are in for the long haul with this virus.

People here are only obsessed with three things; deaths, cases and the “R” number. I’m not a Statistician or epidemiologist but a few weeks ago when there was concern and hype raised over the R number increasing beyond 1 on the basis of 20 odd cases or so made me completely lose faith in the strategy of the government/NPHET. 10mins reading about R numbers will prove it’s not an effective measurement with low numbers yet this was peddled across the media.

The fear-mongering of the Irish media is seriously starting to affect the mental health of the population - I’m sure everyone has witnessed it on a personal level either themselves or their friends/family. If you’re get stressed I highly recommend deleting the news apps, distract yourself around 6pm when you know the figures will be released, and try enjoy the last of the long days and sunshine because if the current media narrative continues, it’s going to be a miserable winter.

Ireland needs to evolve from our sheepish culture and learn to think outside the box and make our own opinions of matters. The media need to tone down the hysteria and the government need to realise this virus is here to stay so have to start making some difficult decisions against the ultra-conservative NPHET advice to safeguard the country.

Thoughts?

Ash.J.Williams · 08-08-2020 7:06pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Forgive me for starting a thread if one already exists - I’ve read so many different threads and posts I’ve probably missed the obvious however...

It seems everyone is waiting daily for the 6pm figures to find out the latest cases and deaths situation. It’s scary to see how every single media outlet in this country is putting all their attention on this (yes, gloom sells). Not just RTE, but the other stations and every single paper has the latest on the front page in some form or another.

Contrast this to European media - search any of the national news channels or newspapers and you’ll find its never (usually) the top story. They are over the initial panic and are I guess realise they are in for the long haul with this virus.

People here are only obsessed with three things; deaths, cases and the “R” number. I’m not a Statistician or epidemiologist but a few weeks ago when there was concern and hype raised over the R number increasing beyond 1 on the basis of 20 odd cases or so made me completely lose faith in the strategy of the government/NPHET. 10mins reading about R numbers will prove it’s not an effective measurement with low numbers yet this was peddled across the media.

The fear-mongering of the Irish media is seriously starting to affect the mental health of the population - I’m sure everyone has witnessed it on a personal level either themselves or their friends/family. If you’re get stressed I highly recommend deleting the news apps, distract yourself around 6pm when you know the figures will be released, and try enjoy the last of the long days and sunshine because if the current media narrative continues, it’s going to be a miserable winter.

Ireland needs to evolve from our sheepish culture and learn to think outside the box and make our own opinions of matters. The media need to tone down the hysteria and the government need to realise this virus is here to stay so have to start making some difficult decisions against the ultra-conservative NPHET advice to safeguard the country.

Thoughts?

I’m not

eggy81 · 08-08-2020 7:06pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Forgive me for starting a thread if one already exists - I’ve read so many different threads and posts I’ve probably missed the obvious however...

It seems everyone is waiting daily for the 6pm figures to find out the latest cases and deaths situation. It’s scary to see how every single media outlet in this country is putting all their attention on this (yes, gloom sells). Not just RTE, but the other stations and every single paper has the latest on the front page in some form or another.

Contrast this to European media - search any of the national news channels or newspapers and you’ll find its never (usually) the top story. They are over the initial panic and are I guess realise they are in for the long haul with this virus.

People here are only obsessed with three things; deaths, cases and the “R” number. I’m not a Statistician or epidemiologist but a few weeks ago when there was concern and hype raised over the R number increasing beyond 1 on the basis of 20 odd cases or so made me completely lose faith in the strategy of the government/NPHET. 10mins reading about R numbers will prove it’s not an effective measurement with low numbers yet this was peddled across the media.

The fear-mongering of the Irish media is seriously starting to affect the mental health of the population - I’m sure everyone has witnessed it on a personal level either themselves or their friends/family. If you’re get stressed I highly recommend deleting the news apps, distract yourself around 6pm when you know the figures will be released, and try enjoy the last of the long days and sunshine because if the current media narrative continues, it’s going to be a miserable winter.

Ireland needs to evolve from our sheepish culture and learn to think outside the box and make our own opinions of matters. The media need to tone down the hysteria and the government need to realise this virus is here to stay so have to start making some difficult decisions against the ultra-conservative NPHET advice to safeguard the country.

Thoughts?

I radio is the worst. Literally non stop covid ****e.

GazzaL · 08-08-2020 7:15pm

There are people who are afraid to step outside their front door because they've been watching and listening to non-stop COVID news. It's frightening.

On the other hand, I know a lot of people who've almost stopped watching the news because it's the same old ****e, different day...

dere34 · 08-08-2020 7:28pm

I agree. It's like whenever there's a storm alert it turns out to be a breeze.

sydthebeat · 08-08-2020 7:30pm

Shocker that 1 in 100 year global pandemic is main news story......

xhomelezz · 08-08-2020 7:36pm

GazzaL wrote: »

There are people who are afraid to step outside their front door because they've been watching and listening to non-stop COVID news. It's frightening.

On the other hand, I know a lot of people who've almost stopped watching the news because it's the same old ****e, different day...

You mean people who doesn't give a sh1t right. Been your attitude over multiple threads. At least you can enjoy your freedom of posting. For OP wow, starting another pointless thread to inform rest of the population that virus is basically not here and everyone is living in fear. Guess what cautious people are not living in fear, they take precautions and keep on with life. Fear mongering are they?

RunningFlyer · 08-08-2020 8:41pm

xhomelezz wrote: »

You mean people who doesn't give a sh1t right. Been your attitude over multiple threads. At least you can enjoy your freedom of posting. For OP wow, starting another pointless thread to inform rest of the population that virus is basically not here and everyone is living in fear. Guess what cautious people are not living in fear, they take precautions and keep on with life. Fear mongering are they?

I’m not denying the virus is here at all, my point is the media has been overboard with this. Fair enough when the outbreak started but the fact there is still such a level of hysteria is my point.

And yes, I am cautious also and most of my close circle are and have been from the start. I have also been abroad since this started and seen how much better other countries are dealing with things and enforcement.

On the subject, whilst abroad I was in a pub that a staff member subsequently tested positive the night I stopped by for 2 drinks - was informed by a relative as it was in the local news. Wasn’t concerned about potentially receiving a phone call for contact tracing as all the bar’s precautions were a lot stricter than what I have witnessed locally with my €9 meal pints.

The sooner people feel confident to get on with living with this thing the better. I am just fed up of hearing friends and family constantly bring up the daily figures!

Cheers

road_high · 08-08-2020 8:48pm

GazzaL wrote: »

There are people who are afraid to step outside their front door because they've been watching and listening to non-stop COVID news. It's frightening.

On the other hand, I know a lot of people who've almost stopped watching the news because it's the same old ****e, different day...

I’ve stopped watching rte. Or following stupid idiot politicians on Facebook. Not good for mental health daily immersing yourself in this mindless panic

pgj2015 · 08-08-2020 8:49pm

dere34 wrote: »

I agree. It's like whenever there's a storm alert it turns out to be a breeze.

Ireland to be battered by storm, reality = a leaf blew off a tree in my garden.

utyh2ikcq9z76b · 08-08-2020 8:51pm

Media is algorithm click bait driven these days.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 8:52pm

sydthebeat wrote:

Shocker that 1 in 100 year global pandemic is main news story......

I think it's fcuking disgraceful, there was a cat stuck up a tree today in my neighbourhood, not one fcuking journalist turned up, absolutely disgraceful stuff!

pgj2015 · 08-08-2020 8:53pm

eggy81 wrote: »

I radio is the worst. Literally non stop covid ****e.

I remember back in March at the start of this, some i radio DJ asking a guy who rang in to do a quiz. she asks him what he was up to. he says ah staying in, keeping the head down. she says good man, we have to all stay in. the country wasnt even in a lockdown at that stage and you were better off out walking on the beach or going fishing or whatever, not hiding in your house. I havent listened to that station since march as they never stopped going on about it, literally no other news item was talked about.

gabeeg · 08-08-2020 8:57pm

A lot of you are nowhere near scared enough. Ostensibly at least.

As for the OPs assessment that the global pandemic is rarely the top story across the rest of Europe, well that's demonstrably false.
I mean, of course it's regularly the ****ing top story.

splinter65 · 08-08-2020 9:00pm

My brother and I resumed bickering over Brexit a week ago.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 9:01pm

splinter65 wrote:

My brother and I resumed bickering over Brexit a week ago.

That clusterfcuk!

road_high · 08-08-2020 9:01pm

gabeeg wrote: »

A lot of you are nowhere near scared enough. Ostensibly at least.

As for the OPs assessment that the global pandemic is rarely there top story across the rest of Europe, well that's demonstrably false.
I mean, of course it's regularly the ****ing top story.

Nah. Ya can keep your fear thanks. Ive seen the stats. Not remotely scared because There’s nothing to scare me personally. If it scares you then stay at home etc I’m not stopping you or impinging on that in anyway
Enjoy the fear and misery- each to their own

Pretzill · 08-08-2020 9:11pm

Before the pandemic most of our media seemed to be obsessed with world news and Trump - I don't see the problem reporting this and I think it should be kept top story if cases reflect that. It had fallen off the top of the news for a little while - What's wrong with being informed?

RunningFlyer · 08-08-2020 9:18pm

gabeeg wrote: »

A lot of you are nowhere near scared enough. Ostensibly at least.

As for the OPs assessment that the global pandemic is rarely the top story across the rest of Europe, well that's demonstrably false.
I mean, of course it's regularly the ****ing top story.

Yes, of course it’s in the news worldwide, but it seems no other country is so obsessed with the daily figures to the extent of Ireland.

Unfortunately a large number of Irish people have fallen victim to the scaremongering and are afraid to *try* get on with their lives.

The near-daily press conferences and updates should be curtailed. It seems such a waste of time to have a press conference on daily figures with terrible journalistic questions. If they used that extra hour to sit down and try figure out a strategy without worrying what the public might think, it would be a lot more effective than playing to the media.

PowerToWait · 08-08-2020 9:20pm

road_high wrote: »

Nah. Ya can keep your fear thanks. Ive seen the stats. Not remotely scared because There’s nothing to scare me personally. If it scares you then stay at home etc I’m not stopping you or impinging on that in anyway
Enjoy the fear and misery- each to their own

You simply don’t understand the grave reality, and that’s fine. Denial is often a coping mechanism also.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 9:22pm

PowerToWait wrote:

You simply donâ€™t understand the grave reality, and thatâ€™s fine. Denial is often a coping mechanism also.

Ignorance is also a thing!

PowerToWait · 08-08-2020 9:22pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Yes, of course it’s in the news worldwide, but it seems no other country is so obsessed with the daily figures to the extent of Ireland.

Unfortunately a large number of Irish people have fallen victim to the scaremongering and are afraid to *try* get on with their lives.

The near-daily press conferences and updates should be curtailed. It seems such a waste of time to have a press conference on daily figures with terrible journalistic questions. If they used that extra hour to sit down and try figure out a strategy without worrying what the public might think, it would be a lot more effective than playing to the media.

It’s all anybody is talking about almost everywhere. Your post is drivelling gibberish.

GazzaL · 08-08-2020 9:29pm

PowerToWait wrote: »

It’s all anybody is talking about almost everywhere. Your post is drivelling gibberish.

Not really. Lots of talk about holidays, the weather, football, restaurants/pubs, work, etc.

Jackman25 · 08-08-2020 9:32pm

Good to see this clown getting lashed out of it in the responses.

https://twitter.com/Michael_O_Regan/status/1291784696121167872?s=20

RunningFlyer · 08-08-2020 9:33pm

Pretzill wrote: »

Before the pandemic most of our media seemed to be obsessed with world news and Trump - I don't see the problem reporting this and I think it should be kept top story if cases reflect that. It had fallen off the top of the news for a little while - What's wrong with being informed?

The difference is no-ones confidence (to leave house/socialise/shop etc) was severely affected with the Trump/Brexit coverage.

gabeeg · 08-08-2020 9:34pm

road_high wrote: »

Nah. Ya can keep your fear thanks. Ive seen the stats. Not remotely scared because There’s nothing to scare me personally. If it scares you then stay at home etc I’m not stopping you or impinging on that in anyway
Enjoy the fear and misery- each to their own

My bad. I assumed I was talking with people that had some friends, family and vital organs.

Limpy · 08-08-2020 9:36pm

Cliche buzz words regularly seen on FB and the Journal comments Section;

See, i knew it (when cases are high after a previously cluster).
And sure the airport's are open. (When said non travel cluster is published).
Why aren't we on lockdown. (When more case's are reported then the previous day).
Sure there not even testing, Martina was waiting age's (when cases are reported lower).
Them Cxxts getting €350 a week ( when a working family with a life get laid off due to government closing the business).
We need to close up till we get a vaccine. (Tom on long term Jobseekers).

Hollybeg · 08-08-2020 9:37pm

RunningFlyer wrote: »

Forgive me for starting a thread if one already exists - I’ve read so many different threads and posts I’ve probably missed the obvious however...

It seems everyone is waiting daily for the 6pm figures to find out the latest cases and deaths situation. It’s scary to see how every single media outlet in this country is putting all their attention on this (yes, gloom sells). Not just RTE, but the other stations and every single paper has the latest on the front page in some form or another.

Contrast this to European media - search any of the national news channels or newspapers and you’ll find its never (usually) the top story. They are over the initial panic and are I guess realise they are in for the long haul with this virus.

People here are only obsessed with three things; deaths, cases and the “R” number. I’m not a Statistician or epidemiologist but a few weeks ago when there was concern and hype raised over the R number increasing beyond 1 on the basis of 20 odd cases or so made me completely lose faith in the strategy of the government/NPHET. 10mins reading about R numbers will prove it’s not an effective measurement with low numbers yet this was peddled across the media.

The fear-mongering of the Irish media is seriously starting to affect the mental health of the population - I’m sure everyone has witnessed it on a personal level either themselves or their friends/family. If you’re get stressed I highly recommend deleting the news apps, distract yourself around 6pm when you know the figures will be released, and try enjoy the last of the long days and sunshine because if the current media narrative continues, it’s going to be a miserable winter.

Ireland needs to evolve from our sheepish culture and learn to think outside the box and make our own opinions of matters. The media need to tone down the hysteria and the government need to realise this virus is here to stay so have to start making some difficult decisions against the ultra-conservative NPHET advice to safeguard the country.

Thoughts?

It would be helpful if people would do what they are asked to do... wear a ****ING mask.

pgj2015 · 08-08-2020 9:46pm

Limpy wrote: »

Cliche buzz words regularly seen on FB and the Journal comments Section;

See, i knew it (when cases are high after a previously cluster).
And sure the airport's are open. (When said non travel cluster is published).
Why aren't we on lockdown. (When more case's are reported then the previous day).
Sure there not even testing, Martina was waiting age's (when cases are reported lower).
Them Cxxts getting €350 a week ( when a working family with a life get laid off due to government closing the business).
We need to close up till we get a vaccine. (Tom on long term Jobseekers).

Or teachers or some karen who is a housewife.

What Username Guidelines · 08-08-2020 9:52pm

road_high wrote: »

Nah. Ya can keep your fear thanks. Ive seen the stats. Not remotely scared because There’s nothing to scare me personally. If it scares you then stay at home etc I’m not stopping you or impinging on that in anyway
Enjoy the fear and misery- each to their own

I think the issue is that you’re not seeing potential bigger picture here.

So you say **** it stay at home if scared, and plenty will. But the virus itself aside, as rolling lockdowns continue to pop up with little notice, businesses will struggle to prep for potential breaks in operations. A restaurant in Kildare took a €4,000 delivery Friday morning, now it’s all going to go to waste. Plenty of other businesses currently shored up on life support.

Consumer confidence falls, especially in travel. The vast majority realised travel abroad was risky, so we had staycations to look forward to. Now that they can be culled with an hours notice, so why would you book one? Some will, but confidence is gone with others.

Then you’ve got so many other considerations. Every industry taking a hit with many knock on effects, but outside business you’ve got issues with mental health, interrupted education, mobility issues in cocooning elderly, missed cancer diagnosis, etc.

This thing is an absolute cluster**** that will effect everyone. Whether you trace the blame to the virus or the reaction to the virus, it doesn’t matter. I’m sure you’ll write this off as scaremongering, but we’re five months into this and if you compare it to tangling headphones into your pocket, we haven’t even started to unravel them yet. And that’s the hard part. The slog back to normality is a long one.

Rubberchikken · 08-08-2020 9:59pm

I've never waited for the 6pm news on covid, and pay little attention to the figures etc. Others have quoted them to me but I don't see the point.

I work in a high risk area and wear ppe always. It just didn't start with the virus so it's nothing new.

Don't have rte TV but have given up on the radio. The constant comments about the virus, the never ending ads from the HSE telling us what to do etc has just bored me stiff.

I wash my hands, I wear my mask, I adhered to the restrictions as they occurred.

road_high · 08-08-2020 10:01pm

PowerToWait wrote: »

You simply don’t understand the grave reality, and that’s fine. Denial is often a coping mechanism also.

Oh but i do. I've already explained to you but you chose to ignore- your "grave reality" isn't remotely concerning to me as I've been following the stats. To repeat again I'm not stopping you from reacting the way you see appropriate or stopping you take whatever measures you feel you need to protect yourself. I only wish you'd stop trying to get me to think the same. The stats don't lie and I've long since concluded it's not something that warrants hysteria

Markx · 08-08-2020 10:02pm

Thoughts are that the original post is confused and lacks focus. The fourth section is particularly weak.

road_high · 08-08-2020 10:04pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Ignorance is also a thing!

As is blind hysteria. You want that then knock yourself out. Just leave those of us that aren't interested in pissing ourselves daily alone.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:04pm

road_high wrote:

Oh but i do. I've already explained to you but you chose to ignore- your "grave reality" isn't remotely concerning to me as I've been following the stats. To repeat again I'm not stopping you from reacting the way you see appropriate or stopping you take whatever measures you feel you need to protect yourself. I only wish you'd stop trying to get me to think the same. The stats don't lie and I've long since concluded it's not something that warrants hysteria

Maybe your analysis has caused you to under react to the situation?

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:05pm

road_high wrote:

As is blind hysteria. You want that then knock yourself out. Just leave those of us that aren't interested in pissing ourselves daily alone.

Pissing ourselves?

road_high · 08-08-2020 10:07pm

GazzaL wrote: »

Not really. Lots of talk about holidays, the weather, football, restaurants/pubs, work, etc.

In a work context Covid 19 virtually never comes up anymore. We are all too busy and focused on the many tasks in hand- it doesn't pay any bills fretting over it.

KiKi III · 08-08-2020 10:07pm

I think we've been very quick to forget the near-apocalyptic scenes in Italy just a few months ago. Doctors having to play god, deciding who lives and dies because there weren't enough ventilators for everyone who needed them.

Thank f*** we didn't have that here, it was heartbreaking to watch even from a distance. But because it didn't happen here, the abundance of caution the government is taking is seen as 'hysteria' by some.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:08pm

road_high wrote:

In a work context Covid 19 virtually never comes up anymore. We are all too busy and focused on the many tasks in hand- it doesn't pay any bills fretting over it.

What about those that find themselves outta work because of this?

road_high · 08-08-2020 10:08pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

Maybe your analysis has caused you to under react to the situation?

Why would i need to react in any way other than the way I've detailed?

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:09pm

road_high wrote:

Why would i need to react in any way other than the way I've detailed?

Maybe you're misinterpreting your analysis

pjohnson · 08-08-2020 10:09pm

KiKi III wrote: »

I think we've been very quick to forget the near-apocalyptic scenes in Italy just a few months ago. Doctors having to play god, deciding who lives and dies because there weren't enough ventilators for everyone who needed them.

Thank f*** we didn't have that here, it was heartbreaking to watch even from a distance. But because it didn't happen here, the abundance of caution the government is taking is seen as 'hysteria' by some.

Ah tbf some of them were saying "its only a flu" in the middle of the Italy situation. They are hardly gunna have educated themselves since.

The Unbearables · 08-08-2020 10:10pm

Poor attempt OP.

road_high · 08-08-2020 10:11pm

Wanderer78 wrote: »

What about those that find themselves outta work because of this?

Well making a daily song and dance about it isn't going to help them then is it? I've posted at length about the self inflicted harm the hysteria has caused to people's livelihoods and they have my full support and empathy- because it could be any of us depending on what industry we work in.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:11pm

pjohnson wrote:

Ah tbf some of them were saying "its only a flu" in the middle of the Italy situation. They are hardly gunna have educated themselves since.

Some still saying it, probably educated in the don uni

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:12pm

road_high wrote:

Well making a daily song and dance about it isn't going to help them then is it? I've posted at length about the self inflicted harm the hysteria has caused to people's livelihoods and they have my full support and empathy- because it could be any of us depending on what industry we work in.

Self inflicted harm?

barney shamrock · 08-08-2020 10:12pm

Thoughts?
I hate posts that end with "thoughts?"

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:13pm

barney shamrock wrote:

Thoughts? I hate posts that end with "thoughts?"

Thank God I've no brain, thoughts only wreck your head

gabeeg · 08-08-2020 10:14pm

road_high wrote: »

In a work context Covid 19 virtually never comes up anymore. We are all too busy and focused on the many tasks in hand- it doesn't pay any bills fretting over it.

That's not my experience at all. Everyone in work talks about it constantly.

You wouldn't happen to be an employer, would you?

ShooterSF · 08-08-2020 10:15pm

There is definitely something to be said for scaling back your time spent reading/watching news imo. I was one of those at the start scouring every article. I still hop on boards (obviously) and I check in on rte.ie in the evening just to stay informed. But yeah my mental health probably would be worse now if I hadn't accepted that while I can control some things (wear a mask, good hygiene, social distancing...), others are out of my control and, while I need to be aware of what is going on I also need to not become obsessed with it.

Wanderer78 · 08-08-2020 10:17pm

road_high wrote:

Well i never asked you to talk to me, did I? If you're looking for an echo chamber of virtue signalling I'm sure you'll find it. You can tell each other how marvellous you are and saving lives etc etc. doing whatever it is you're doing

Are you okay, you sound a little bitter, you're with friends, it's okay

The Irish media hysteria

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