Recommendations of the Editorial team
On the latest episode of “The Daily Show,” Jon Stewart took on the media panic surrounding the hantavirus outbreak. After playing a series of news clips referencing the “deadly virus,” Stewart urged viewers to not to buy into the hype and not to view this outbreak as the next Covid pandemic.
The moderator – dressed in a protective suit – reacted: “What? Another pandemic? Do we have to start washing our hands again or completely freak out in the supermarket?”
After explaining the differences between the two diseases, he said: “The point is, some people might get pretty sick – but forget Covid. This isn’t a pandemic. This hantavirus isn’t even in monkeypox territory. But reality doesn’t sell well.”
Media stirs up panic
Stewart commented on how the news media had over-dramatized the possible spread. “Expert after expert, scientist after scientist, have explained with complete transparency why this disease, while serious, is a low-level threat to public health,” he concluded. “Your words have gone a long way toward calming the concerns of a troubled public. And Lord knows, the press can’t let that happen.”
The passengers of the affected cruise ship MV Hondius disembarked at the weekend and returned to their home countries, where they were quarantined. The coverage of the arrival was particularly chaotic, prompting Stewart to take a dig: “The experts say, ‘Stay calm’ – but the media says, ‘No, we prefer panic.'”
Stewart accused reporters of treating the whole thing “like the OJ case” and noted that using drones to shoot passengers getting off a bus was a complete waste of resources. “Spectacular,” he said. “What a useful use of drones. Ukraine is using theirs to fight Russia – but good for you.”
Chasing Pandemic Quotas
The moderator concluded his monologue with the comment that it seemed “as if they were all trying to recapture this pandemic ratings magic.” He added: “It spreads like – what doesn’t spread? Cold butter? A prude’s legs? So: all good. No problem. Live your life!”
