General Discussion

Bluenorthwest

(45,319 posts)

21. Humor is not the most dangerous speech in a health crisis, those would be rumor, idle speculation

Reply to DemocratSinceBirth (Original post)

Sun Oct 12, 2014, 05:53 PM

Oct 2014

and spreading of incorrect or uncertain information. While it is all very nice to say 'don't joke about this' I really hope some thought is given to the fact that unfounded fear can cause unneeded suffering and outcomes no one really wishes to see.
I'd rather hear a tacky joke than some poster saying 'it will become airborne, they don't know if it is or not, the CDC are fools'.
I heard all the same rumors and speculations about HIV. 'Oh, they say you can't get it from a handshake but it could evolve, they don't know, we need to put them all in camps.'
So yeah. Jokes are the worst.

Edit history

Please sign in to view edit histories.

Recommendations

0 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

62 replies

= new reply since forum marked as read

Highlight:

I don't want to be a killjoy [View all] DemocratSinceBirth Oct 2014 OP

Ebola jokes do reveal a certain pathology, I must say. Dreamer Tatum Oct 2014 #1

Perhaps in a public forum. Cleita Oct 2014 #2

I don't think they're very funny either bigwillq Oct 2014 #3

Who would make a joke about this terrible disease that has taken so many lives scarystuffyo Oct 2014 #4

I am hoping and praying one post in particular was a sick joke FrodosPet Oct 2014 #20

I don't want to believe that member was serious writing something like that scarystuffyo Oct 2014 #23

Worth noting: That poster has had their posting privileges revoked until the end of November Electric Monk Oct 2014 #24

They do seem to have some anger issues, based on their hidden posts FrodosPet Oct 2014 #26

Humans? TransitJohn Oct 2014 #35

I don't know if you've ever worked in health care, but Jackpine Radical Oct 2014 #5

True. redwitch Oct 2014 #13

You should hang around with hospice workers. :-) eggplant Oct 2014 #17

Hospice caregivers are angels on this earth BrotherIvan Oct 2014 #48

Nope, I'm just married to one. eggplant Oct 2014 #49

From me to your spouse and friends: thank you BrotherIvan Oct 2014 #50

I'm sorry for your loss, and I'm happy that Hospice was there for you. eggplant Oct 2014 #54

Thank you BrotherIvan Oct 2014 #56

As an RN for 36 years TNNurse Oct 2014 #18

My best friend was a nurse cwydro Oct 2014 #22

Excellent explanation. TNNurse Oct 2014 #38

Thank you. nt cwydro Oct 2014 #44

Thank you for explaining that. I get it now. LawDeeDah Oct 2014 #29

still, disrespectful of the suffering & those who love them hopemountain Oct 2014 #27

This is not a universal practice. My wife is a Georgetown RN and has ballyhoo Oct 2014 #36

agree, ballyhoo. but a good reminder. hopemountain Oct 2014 #59

"moron healthcare workers?" cwydro Oct 2014 #45

there are caring healthcare workers who have better hopemountain Oct 2014 #58

I think you're full of crap. My wife and I have been in health care at medium ballyhoo Oct 2014 #32

I think you've just explained why you don't hear it. Jackpine Radical Oct 2014 #34

And you've explained why I won't hear you again... ballyhoo Oct 2014 #37

Weee! Egnever Oct 2014 #60

That's true Treant Oct 2014 #43

Translation: Tsk, tsk. FSogol Oct 2014 #6

What if A DU member contracted EBOLA?/NT DemocratSinceBirth Oct 2014 #7

If Gee Duhbya were still President, he would've bombed the hell out of Ebola months ago. Electric Monk Oct 2014 #8

Lenny Bruce once observed that comedy is tragedy plus time. . . Journeyman Oct 2014 #9

Maybe but not always, and always with time and distance./NT DemocratSinceBirth Oct 2014 #11

Exactly what I just said. Journeyman Oct 2014 #14

I was just reading some writing by Lenny Bruce>>> he was ahead of his time KittyWampus Oct 2014 #28

Read the autobiography: "How to Talk Dirty and Influence People". . . Journeyman Oct 2014 #40

Boy, there's a real human to emulate...every other ballyhoo Oct 2014 #33

"All my humor," Lenny once observed, "is based upon destruction and despair." . . . Journeyman Oct 2014 #39

That would be preferable to where we are now. I've sampled destruction ballyhoo Oct 2014 #41

DU Rec In_The_Wind Oct 2014 #10

Thanks for saying this, DemocratSinceBirth. City Lights Oct 2014 #12

Much needed sobriety Aerows Oct 2014 #15

thanks for posting this...i agree noiretextatique Oct 2014 #16

Needed to be said. Thanks. marble falls Oct 2014 #19

Humor is not the most dangerous speech in a health crisis, those would be rumor, idle speculation Bluenorthwest Oct 2014 #21

Exactly and I know of no DUer who thinks ebola is funny. uppityperson Oct 2014 #42

black humor = antidote to irrational fear Voice for Peace Oct 2014 #25

That's what a lot of people say who are outside of providing care. I used to think similarly... jtuck004 Oct 2014 #30

Part of the black humor that pervades ballyhoo Oct 2014 #31

Would ebola be funny if it had something to do with Ilsa Oct 2014 #46

I agree, but notice how, at least in terms of the U.S., just this ONE worker has been exposed...... AverageJoe90 Oct 2014 #47

Okay, I apologize for posting the Fleabola cat meme in the Lounge. TexasTowelie Oct 2014 #51

It depends on the joke. Feron Oct 2014 #52

META! Iggo Oct 2014 #53

To make light of things that scare us... abakan Oct 2014 #55

It always happens, poor taste or not. n/t bobGandolf Oct 2014 #57

Some people like gallows humor. Rex Oct 2014 #61

So three people with Ebola walk into a bar... KamaAina Oct 2014 #62