The Hays Free Press asked its audience its opinions about the Coronavirus.
Out of 110 participants, this is what they had to say:
This is a media driven scare tactic. It’s so out of hand. The reporting is only driven to encourage fear so people will keep watching the news.
As someone that has been in and around the healthcare field for over 15+ years, I cannot grasp the mass hysteria the media is causing over the coronavirus. The flu virus causes many more deaths annually. Many other issues such as cancer, AIDS, opioid’s addiction and suicide cause many more deaths per day than this virus. Is anyone focusing on these MAJOR issues, well no, these are not “breaking” stories to scare people who are easily swayed by taking every media story to heart rather than just doing 30 minutes of research for themselves. Fear is a powerful tool which is being used to best advantage regarding the coronavirus. Prevention is simple, wash your hands (something we SHOULD have already been doing) cough/sneeze into your elbow, and stay home if you are sick, simple!
I personally believe that it has been spreading in the US for much longer. I even had a bad virus back in January that kept me down for 3 weeks after traveling through DFW airport in late December where many people from China were traveling. My doctor was confused and couldn’t explain what it was when my tests for flu, mono, and strep all came back negative with how weak and miserable I felt. They just said I had a bad infection and gave me some antibiotics.
Be prepared by stocking up on things you would already use. We’re freezing a lot of meals & preparing for a home self-quarantine up to 2 months. Better safe than sorry.
Fake news. Regular influenza is more dangerous.
The biggest threat with this virus is people panicking and causing a shortage of food and supplies. As far as extra precautions for hygiene, hand washing and staying home if you are sick should be something one does even if there is not a current outbreak of a virus.
I have a 13-year-old heart and cancer patient having open heart surgery on March 10. She is also immunocompromised so any virus can be deadly to children like her.
I think people should prepare now before it arrives here. It is only a matter of time.
I work with young children so I’m already constantly washing my hands, disinfecting items, and practicing illness prevention techniques in my daily life. I’m honestly more scared of catching the flu from my school kiddos and I have gotten my flu shot. I understand the precautions people are taking but it hasn’t affected my personal health habits.
I’m very concerned about the misinformation coming from the White House and the effect it has on the general public and the disregard for the advice of health professionals
I am concerned, but not in panic mode, I am immune compromised so for me it’s normal to be careful, wash hands etc. The numbers you see online are scary, but who knows how true they are.
It’s like any other virus out there. A bit unknown, but with caution all is well.
