Making sense out of the #Covid19 chaos
by Mark Maxey
Globally between February and March of this year, we saw the #Covid19 virus hopscotch through European countries and the Americas. It seems this virus just knows no boundaries. Even the reclusive Indigenous Yanomami tribe in the Amazon. A 15-year-old boy died of the virus before Easter.
The virus can cause excruciating pain and acts quickly for those with pre-existing conditions. Carrie Dry speaks of the virus that took her 55-year-old husband’s life only three days after he first exhibited symptoms, she doesn’t use medical or scientific terms.
Many rumors abound on why this virus is globally affecting our economies, life, health, and food supply. Yet CNN reported that nearly 30% in the US believe a coronavirus theory that’s almost certainly not true. In the early days of March, I compiled data and compared notes with several international journalists. Even reports of China and Iran stating they suspected the USA in biological warfare. Newsweek ran an article claiming such allegations.
Chinese and Iranian officials pose for a picture published February 29 by Tehran’s embassy in Beijing after the Red Cross Society of China donated COVID-19 testing kits and other medical supplies to the Red Crescent Society of the Islamic Republic of Iran.
EMBASSY OF THE ISLAMIC REPUBLIC OF IRAN IN THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA
Common media for transmitting propaganda messages include news reports, government reports, historical revision, junk science, books, leaflets, movies, social media, radio, television, and posters. Less common nowadays are the cow post envelopes, examples of which have survived from the time of the American Civil War. (Connecticut Historical Society; Civil War Collections; Covers.) In the case of radio and television, propaganda can exist on news, current-affairs or talk-show segments, as advertising or public-service announcement “spots” or as long-running advertorials. Propaganda campaigns often follow a strategic transmission pattern to indoctrinate the target group. This may begin with a simple transmission such as a leaflet dropped from a plane or an advertisement. Generally, these messages will contain directions on how to obtain more information, via a web site, hot line, radio program, etc. The strategy intends to initiate the individual from information recipient to information seeker through reinforcement, and then from information seeker to opinion leader through indoctrination.
Several techniques based on social psychological research are used to generate propaganda. Many of these same techniques can be found under logical fallacies, since propagandists use arguments that, while sometimes convincing, are not necessarily valid.
Information dissemination strategies only become propaganda strategies when coupled with propagandistic messages. Identifying these messages is a necessary prerequisite to study the methods by which those messages are spread.
Truth is with this being the first major global pandemic in over a hundred years, no one has a reference point to balance this chaos. Many are stuck at home with no income, dwindling food supplies. A rush for hand sanitizer, masks and gloves have depleted supplies. Globally many are home with a family with strong social distancing guidelines in place.
The ultra-right-wing #Maga followers are brainwashed by the lies of FOX news which parroted Trump’s claims of a democratic hoax. They believe in a “deep state” and view all criticism of Trump to be “liberal media lies”. This plan by Trump has backfired and showed how it left vulnerable all of the citizens in the USA. This is why the USA is globally #1 with confirmed cases of #Covid19 and deaths. At the moment of this writing, the USA has 587,752 confirmed cases of which has resulted in 23,765 deaths. Compared to China with 84,393 confirmed cases resulting in 3,341 deaths. As reported by https://ncov2019.live/.
In the United States, the first response to the global pandemic of #Covid19 caused economic ruin on wall street. Marketplace reports, “The spread of COVID-19 has shaken financial markets and led to layoffs across the country. There are now more than 1.7 million confirmed cases of the virus worldwide and more than 111,800 people have died, according to the World Health Organization. In the United States and U.S. territories, the number of confirmed cases has exceeded 579,000, while the death toll has risen to more than 23,400.”
Greg Godels reports on this for ML-Today. “Western media and our political aristocracy would better serve if they would devote attention to the ballooning “unnecessary deaths” amongst the so-called “advanced” capitalist countries. They should be condemning the shamefully misnamed “bioethicists” who are ready to concede that we must devise criteria to summarily allow some sufferers to die for lack of enough beds, ventilators, or attendants; this is the bioethics of Nietzsche or Mengele.”
The initial “ National Emergency “ that President Trump proclaimed, on March 13, 2020, left only “essential” employees to remain working. Which included not only the medical and emergency crews, it also included the working poor. The workers in convenience stores and food locations.
As COVID-19 death toll mounts, the US ruling class demands a more rapid return to work. Again it’s the “essential” workers that are on the frontlines and need protection. It’s not the CEO nor the board of directors engaging in public work where the virus is still spreading. The average worker is like a fodder for the capitalists.
Yesterday, President Donald Trump during a press briefing hinted at his dictatorship. The fascist ruling under the Trump Administration is usurping the average citizens rights. CNN’s Jim Acosta says, “I have to tell you that is the biggest meltdown I have ever seen from a president of the United States in my career,” Acosta said of today’s briefing. “I don’t think a reasonable person could watch what we just saw over the last hour and conclude that the president is in control. He sounds like he is out of control.”
The businesses demanded almost immediately for a stimulus package. The greed of the rich was unprecedented. Thankfully the House of Representatives was able to get $1200 for each American. However, it’s been 1 month that most Americans have had a paycheck.
Before April 1, many in America begun the “ Rent Strike”. As well by April 6, many grocery store workers were testing positive. Many of the “essential workers” who were minimum wage workers began to strike for better pay and safety protection.
Globally citizens are making masks and shields for their health care providers. Toyota has begun to produce face shields that are in high demand.
In India, the Socialist Party distributed food to the local villagers. It was the common citizen that stepped up when the local and national governments left citizens stranded with this virus. Just not in India, but in America too.
In the past week in the news are stories of dairy, vegetable and meat processors closing down due to employees tested positive for #Covid19. CNN reported, and is the sanest response, “Are shortages coming? Yes, if we panic — We’ve already seen runs on toilet paper and cleaning products. Will people stockpile bacon in their freezers if they fear a pork shortage? Please don’t. The US is not running out of meat. It’s not that there’s no meat. It’s that, at the moment, there are gaps in the way we process it and get it to consumers.”
Democracy Now posted a foretelling article on the food shortages right now in America.
Americans are being told to visit grocery stores only when they must. Grocery store workers do not have that luxury.
In India, the migrant farmworker was sent home, which meant walking back to faraway villages. They walked in numbers that couldn’t follow proper social distancing goals. As well the food shortage is such now in India, that the farmworkers are in much demand. As with many other nations staying at home, it will affect the food supply if not addressed immediately.
What is a glaring obvious government dereliction is to reopen society for the benefit of the economy! But it is the working class that is being used as pawns in this invisible virus. Yet in many countries, there are 2nd and 3rd waves after reopening cities. We can’t sacrifice our health or loved one’s health for the sake of the capitalist. We must make sure society is safe before we reopen. Or this disease will continue to re-spread causing even more havoc. In South Korea they are reporting previous tested positives persons getting reinfected upon return to society.
revolution!
Originally published at http://okemahfreepress.wordpress.com on April 14, 2020.
