Covid – The Sleepy Bookworm

“Covid warning as Omicron variant ‘can bind’ to rats sparking horror plague fears”

https://www.express.co.uk/news/science/1536395/covid-warning-omicron-variant-bind-rats-ace-receptor-plague-coronavirus-latest

Let’s begin with the title of this news story. I hold a BA (Honours) degree in English Language and Literature and a good portion of my studies focussed on language in media. The issue with media in this day and age is that it’s mass. There are thousands of news outlets all competing to be the first to report a story and to have the best write up of that story. By that, I mean that news outlets compete for the publics attention and to do this, to grab your attention and encourage you to read their story over the same story on a different news outlet; they use emotive and vivid language. Vivid language and imagery draw on the emotions and connotations of a word, to encourage a negative or positive evaluation in the reader or listener. In our technological world, online news outlets use click-bait titles to attract attention and make an individual click on their news outlets story. The title above uses this click-bait mentality by placing the word: ‘warning’ right that the start of the title. Everyone knows that the word ‘warning’ is used as a danger signal and our brains are more likely to pick out these ‘danger’ words for our own safety and security. So, by placing the word ‘warning’ at the beginning of the news title; it encourages anybody scrolling through news feeds to click. It’s instinctual for someone to click on an article or news story that warns them of potential danger. The news story goes on to use three vivid and emotive words together at the end of the title, so it stays on your mind, so it leaves a bigger impact. The phrase ‘horror plague fears’ delivers an impactful ending which can only be meant to encourage a feeling of fear and anxiety in the reader. The words are not unbiased or neutral; they are words that only provide a negative connotation or reaction. The news outlet uses this final phrase to instil a sense of fear and apprehension in the reader and push them to continue reading the article.

My aim at detailing the process and reason behind this news title is to illustrate the bias of news outlets today. Each news outlet competes for readers and listeners, and they all aim to outdo each other by making their news article more dramatic. The problem with this is that the main way to attract attention is by creating a culture of fear. News outlets use emotive language and ‘danger’ words to create fear and make the public scared enough to read their article over other similar articles in the media. It’s how mass hysteria is caused, by creating stories that promise danger and disaster. The public then feel a responsibility to follow particular news outlets and stories to warn them of potential danger in the future. It’s why everything in news media has to be questioned and evaluated; because news is constantly blown out of proportion and exaggerated to attract attention. The words ‘horror plague’ can do nothing but create images of death, mass illness and fear, reminding people of past events and tragedies.

My other issue with this news story comes from my position as a rat keeper. I’ve had pet rats since I was 17 years old and although the ‘fancy’ or pet rat is slightly different from a wild rat. My opinion is that wild rats receive a lot of negative attention and blame. They seem to provoke feelings of disgust, hatred, and fear. My intention here, is not to negate anyone’s fear, there are millions of people who suffer with phobias of rats and similar rodents. But my issue is in news outlets spreading misinformation and exaggerating facts to create mass hysteria surrounding a particular subject, in this case, rats and plague.

“Rodents have also been carriers of plague” is a quote taken from this story that I think is misinformation. Rats do carry various diseases that can be passed onto people, it’s well known. I don’t dispute that; wild rats do pose some risk to humans in terms of illness and disease transmission. However, the Black Death or bubonic plague being attributed solely to rats is wrong. News outlets use this misinformation regularly on the subject of rats, making rats out to be malicious and disgusting creatures that spread plague and death. It plays on people’s general fear of rats and exaggerates it to create fear and anxiety among society. While rats did have an involvement in spreading plague, they did not cause it and it was fleas and lice found on rats (among other species) which held and spread the plague. Why do we blame the rats? If the lice and fleas living on the rats spread the plague; then why is it attributed solely to rats? Fleas and lice also lived on human beings and other animals but because rats hold so much fear and disgust, it’s easier to just place the blame on their species. In fact, 2018 saw National Geographic publish a story on research that instead indicated it was human parasites that primarily spread plague bacteria. ( Maybe Rats Aren’t to Blame for the Black Death (nationalgeographic.com) ). Even the BBC published a story on this research indicating that: “the Black Death, can be largely ascribed to human fleas and body lice” ( Black Death ‘spread by humans not rats’ – BBC News ). My point is, news outlets tend to ignore research that disproves what they are trying to sell. Instead of promoting this new research and adjusting their story and approach, they choose to enhance false information because it helps their intent to cause fear and draw attention. Also featured in this BBC story is a quote from a professor which I think is very relevant today: “Understanding as much as possible about what goes on during an epidemic is always good if you are to reduce mortality in the future” and “Our study suggests that to prevent future spread, hygiene is most important”. Why can’t more of this type of story be published in news outlets? A positive story that promotes research and highlights how information can change as more knowledge is gained and as technology and science advances.

The Covid news story does go on to say: “fleas carried by rodents are believed to have been responsible for spreading the bubonic plague” but it does not change the entire feel of the news story. In a technologically advanced society where people are scrolling and taking note of news titles and such to stay informed; the title “Covid warning as Omicron variant ‘can bind’ to rats sparking horror plague fears” gives a completely exaggerated opinion and encourages overreaction and fear. Why not just have the title: “Covid warning as Omicron variant ‘can bind’ to rats” and then providing the research? Instead, the news outlet attaches words that spread fear and hysteria to sell their product and news story. Not to mention the fact that this research indicates rats can become infected by the Omicron variant of Covid-19 but not how likely it is that they can spread it. So, a title that gives the impression that rats are going to spread covid like the plague, is exaggerated and has no factual proof. I also have an issue with the fact, the main picture accompanying this news story is an image of a ‘fancy rat’ and not a wild rat. If you are going to report on a story about wild rats, then at least know what they look like and provide a relevant image.

I want to leave everyone with a positive thought on rats as a species. People forget that a huge portion of medical research is done on rats. Rats have assisted in the development of countless medications and medical treatments which humans today. I will leave you with a quote which I think highlights how more positive imagery and less hysteria led imagery needs to be used on the subject of rats: “The laboratory rat has made invaluable contributions to the cardiovascular medicine, neural regeneration, would healing, diabetes, transplantation, behavioural studies and space motion sickness research” ( 10 years of rat research – how stroke studies have evolved | Understanding Animal Research | Understanding Animal Research ). See? Rats aren’t all bad! Let’s understand the whole story surrounding a subject, do our own research and not just rely on bias news outlets. Mass media is to blame for so much of society’s fear and it contributes to so many of the mental health issues people deal with today. That’s why fake news is so dangerous. Language is a tool that can be used to do so much good and bring people together but, like everything, it can also be used in a negative and harmful way. News outlets should be responsible for the harm their use of language can cause.

To end, enjoy some pictures of my little rat crew.

It’s a very confusing and worrying time right now and for those of us who suffer with anxiety; it’s terrifying. One of the latest things to affect my anxiety is the use of masks in public.

I think wearing a mask is a simple selfless act, it protects others and minimises the spread of illness. I agree that the majority of people should wear a mask. But where as it’s a simple act for a majority; it can be a distressing act for a minority and I feel that this should be understood and accepted.

I walk into a shop without a mask and although I look young, physically healthy and capable to the store staff; I suffer with autonomic dysfunctional which causes me to breathe difunctionally; I hyperventilate especially in situations of anxiety. As soon as I enter I’m questioned about my lack of mask and I explain myself, feeling like an imposter. As a person with social anxiety this is deeply distressing to me and as a person with a physical invisible illness, it’s deflating having to explain my illness and prove I have an illness despite my physical appearance. But the most distressing feeling comes from moving around the store, being glared at by other customers questioning why I can get away without wearing a mask like I’m committing a selfish and malicious act when in reality I’m just trying to do my shopping without making myself ill. The looks from other people are the most hurtful act as their judgement makes me feel like a disappointment, like a criminal.

Now, I have a mask and I wear it if I go out but when my symptoms flare up then I can either remove the mask or potentially pass out in front of everyone. I make myself wear a mask because the reality is, I’m too scared to go through the experience of explaining myself. My anxiety forces me to wear a mask just to avoid the judgemental glares and questions that will no doubt drown me if I choose not to wear a mask. But I watch people like myself, with an invisible illness trying to explain themselves and although in some cases they are treated fairly, the majority of the time they are asked for proof; they are made to prove their illness to a person who has no medical training, to a person silently judging them and making them feel uncomfortable.

I don’t go out anymore. For me, wearing a mask with my POTS and dysfunctional breathing causes my heart rate to rocket, I begin to sweat profusely and hyperventilate. This leads to dizziness, vision disturbance and I begin to black out. Instead of forcing myself to wear a mask and make myself ill I stay at home and avoid going out. I avoid it because the anxiety of potentially having to prove I suffer with a life-limiting illness is so distressing to me; I can’t even consider facing it. Before Covid, I’ve had to explain my illness and prove myself but the idea of doing so, just to go outdoors now is a horrible feeling.

The point of this post is to implore people to be less judgemental and kinder to those who cannot wear a mask. Of course, there are people who abuse the exemption for selfish reasons but you can’t treat everyone as if this is what they are trying to do. There are those of us who have genuine reasons for not wearing a mask and our chronic illnesses make our lives difficult enough without judgemental remarks and questioning. It’s a worrying and unprecedented time right now and we all need to think of others and be kinder and more understanding.

The Sleepy Bookworm

Tag: Covid

Blame the rats – Language in mass media.