Recent outbreaks of hantavirus on a cruise ship and Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo have triggered widespread online fear and comparisons to COVID-19. COVID-19 exposed many Americans to a global health emergency and caused large-scale loss of life, leaving lasting psychological effects for some families. Public health and infectious disease experts say fear of exotic diseases has long existed, but people now better understand how a pandemic can disrupt daily life. Experts emphasize that Ebola and hantavirus differ from COVID-19 and that the average American should not assume these outbreaks will become another COVID-like event. Guidance focuses on reading alarming headlines and social media claims with caution.
"“We're all dealing with PTSD from COVID.” For Harvey, COVID-19 “heavily impacted” her family, with a few relatives hospitalized. “COVID scarred all of us,” she said. Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, “you were worried about your friends and neighbors and loved ones dying from COVID,” said Dr. Ali S. Khan, dean of the College of Public Health at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. More than 1 million Americans died of COVID-19."
"“Despite Ebola currently spreading in parts of eastern Africa, infectious disease experts told NPR that the average American should not be concerned about Ebola or hantavirus becoming a repeat of COVID-19.” Here's what to know about how Ebola and hantavirus differ from COVID-19, as well as what people should keep in mind when reading alarming headlines or scrolling through social media."
"“Fear around exotic-sounding diseases has always existed, but now people know how a pandemic can change their life.” The COVID-19 pandemic introduced people across the U.S. to a global health emergency that they may have never imagined. That experience is coloring how some people are thinking about Ebola and hantavirus, public health and infectious disease experts say."
"“There is the ‘dread factor’ with certain diseases,” said Dr. Amesh Adalja, a senior scholar at the Johns Hop"
Read at www.npr.org
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