Did you know #PatientZero is not a thing, based on a comprehension error that was abused by a hack journo? Gaëtan Dugas was listed as "Patient O" (as in L, M, N, O, P) in an AIDS epidemiology map. He was incorrectly identified as "zero" patient and the mistake was never corrected

The myth became too enticing, so Dugas was essentially blamed for HIV/AIDS spreading through the US. When a journo wrote a book on the issue, his publisher leant into the Dugas part of the book by giving the story to tabloid news.

Gaëtan Dugas had actually volunteered hours of his time helping researchers map the spread of HIV though his little black book. Without his input, they wouldn't have made the advances they did. But he was thanked for this by being turned into a monster, after his death.

The "patient zero" myth we still see playing out today is born out of fear, a fear that was exploited by hack journos.

Is every journo who uses the phrase a hack? No.

Should they all stop using the phrase? Yes.

You can read more about the destructive impact of the "Patient Zero" myth here, and watch Laurie Lynd's excellent documentary Killing Patient Zero. https://www.cbc.ca/arts/killing-patient-zero-how-a-quebec-flight-attendant-was-falsely-accused-of-bringing-aids-to-america-1.5224906