Read on Twitter
If studying climate change communication for close to a decade has taught me anything, it's that when the relevant experts tell us what steps we can take to buy the world time and to prevent the worst, we really really really should do what they say.
This is a perhaps a good time to say that I will not be attending #4C20 or #ATTWcon.
I will also avoid all large gatherings for at least 2 weeks.
Cases in KY jumped from 1 to 6 this weekend. I expect that number to rise as more people are tested and/or become symptomatic.
I will also avoid all large gatherings for at least 2 weeks.
Cases in KY jumped from 1 to 6 this weekend. I expect that number to rise as more people are tested and/or become symptomatic.
I don't think this is alarmist.
I've seen the charge of alarmism be wielded over and over again to make climate activists be quieter, tone things down, or just go away.
Sometimes, in this big globalized capitalist air-travel-connected world of ours, alarm is appropriate.
I've seen the charge of alarmism be wielded over and over again to make climate activists be quieter, tone things down, or just go away.
Sometimes, in this big globalized capitalist air-travel-connected world of ours, alarm is appropriate.
I think it's possible to be worried, to be alarmed even, and to make well-thought-out changes to your life and to forms of communal living, whether short-term or long-term.
Alarm is not the opposite of reason.
And a big reaction is not necessarily an overreaction.
Alarm is not the opposite of reason.
And a big reaction is not necessarily an overreaction.
Happy to link to sources I've been reading that have got me thinking this way.
CDC, WHO and epidemiologists are all good places to start and good experts to look for.
I also appreciated a suggestion someone else on here made to look at other countries' comms about best steps.
CDC, WHO and epidemiologists are all good places to start and good experts to look for.
I also appreciated a suggestion someone else on here made to look at other countries' comms about best steps.
One of the reasons that climate change has been so difficult to communicate about is the sheer scale of it.
Our human brains don't automatically think in terms of the scale of volume or interactions or years or distance or system complexity that is the scale of climate change.
Our human brains don't automatically think in terms of the scale of volume or interactions or years or distance or system complexity that is the scale of climate change.
I think the same thing is happening here.
Between the literal scale in terms of #'s of infected people and speed of transmission, as well as a general lack of epidemiological systems understanding, we're not well equipped to conduct individual level risk analysis of COVID-19.
Between the literal scale in terms of #'s of infected people and speed of transmission, as well as a general lack of epidemiological systems understanding, we're not well equipped to conduct individual level risk analysis of COVID-19.
I wish we had taken steps in 1988, 1989, 1990 to slow global temperature rise and reduce the risk of climate catastrophe.
I hope we're all up for taking steps now to slow disease transmission and reduce the risk of healthcare systems collapse and higher death rates.
I hope we're all up for taking steps now to slow disease transmission and reduce the risk of healthcare systems collapse and higher death rates.
So:
* Wash your hands, including between the fingers, for at least 20 seconds a pop
* if you're healthy and hoarding masks, donate them to a local healthcare facility
* Stay at least 3m away from sick people
* If you can eliminate travel, do
* If you can avoid large crowds, do
* Wash your hands, including between the fingers, for at least 20 seconds a pop
* if you're healthy and hoarding masks, donate them to a local healthcare facility
* Stay at least 3m away from sick people
* If you can eliminate travel, do
* If you can avoid large crowds, do
some other things I want to do:
* Donate extra food and cleaning supplies to local food pantries
* Be extra careful around friends and family in high risk categories, such as seniors and amino compromise people
* Practice Vulcan greetings, I can only do the left hand right now
* Donate extra food and cleaning supplies to local food pantries
* Be extra careful around friends and family in high risk categories, such as seniors and amino compromise people
* Practice Vulcan greetings, I can only do the left hand right now
Last tweet, then I'm done.
I'm not an epidemiologist or doctor. I'm a rhetorician, and communication is a big part of how we're experiencing this disease.
As a rhetorical expert, I just want you to know that feeling alarmed does not automatically mean you're wrong.
I'm not an epidemiologist or doctor. I'm a rhetorician, and communication is a big part of how we're experiencing this disease.
As a rhetorical expert, I just want you to know that feeling alarmed does not automatically mean you're wrong.
