The ebola virus pandemic currently sweeping through west Africa has been nothing short of tragic. Since the start of the outbreak last December, over 4000 people have died, with thousands more still ill. While health officials work to treat those who have contracted the disease, fear about ebola continues to spread.
On this side of the world, a 24-hour news cycle and a hyper-connected public have created an environment of uncertainty. This week, we look at how technology is enabling the spread of bad stories, false claims, and fear of others in a terrible situation.
Show Notes:
- "Second U.S. Ebola Case Confirmed; Caregiver Remains In Isolation" – NBC News
- "There Is A Simple Lesson In This Ebola Outbreak, And We Need To Learn It" – Vox
- "Ebola Panic Is Getting Pretty Racist" – The Verge
- "Tracking The Deadly Ebola Outbreak In West Africa" – The Verge
- Outbreak (film) – Wikipedia
- Contagion (film) – Wikipedia
- "Passenger Pulled From US Airways Plane After Yelling 'I Have Ebola'" – Gawker
- "Five US Airports To Begin Screenings For West Africa Arrivals" – The Guardian
- "NBC News Crew Quarantined After Failing To Voluntarily Confine Themselves" – The Huffington Post
- "'Nothing Is Working': What It's Like Living In A Country Ravaged By Ebola" – Vox
- From Demonized To Organized – iTunes/Amazon