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We all know the mainstream media loves to gain attention by aiming for clickbait articles, viral videos, emotionally-charged pieces that increase likes and followers. It’s a popularity contest, most of the time, for most journalists. Which can warp what headlines are written and what stories get around. During the pandemic, this very thing can be the cause of so much fear and panic and unrest and uncertainty. And this is the last thing we want. We are already seeing an increase in mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. We’re seeing an increase in alcohol consumption, substance abuse, domestic violence. But these topics aren’t being discussed. The long-term impacts for the people not necessarily in the “high risk” category are still substantial. Instead, however, the media (and perhaps the government) like to focus on the information that messes with us. The stuff that makes us worry. And while there’s no clear tunnel to get out of this, if we don’t channel what we’re paying attention to, we can be far worse off.
What do you think? Is the mainstream media merely playing us as dummies? How are you dealing with this pandemic and staying clear headed? Let me know in the comments below.