Social Contagion
Remember the Toilet Papers Hoarders? Now apparently, people are hoarding food and buying guns like crazy. How does this madness spread?
“First, a rumor emerges; second, being uncertain what to do people resort to “conforming behavior”, i.e. taking the same actions of the reference group; third, the rumor snowballs into a real problem, since people buy a larger amount of the commodity than usual.”
I live in a community of 800 folks over age 62. If Covid 19 hits here, it would wipe out about half the village. They are anxious; but then at this point, so is everyone. Anxiety is not good for your health, but panic is downright fatal. Conversation last night:
Monica: I saw a news story about the doctor who invented the coronavirus.
Me: I don’t believe that. Lots of crazy stories flying around.
Monica: No, this is true, there was a picture and everything.
Me: I can make a picture in Photoshop of you in bed with Trump.
She scooted away, perhaps haunted by the visual image.
Debbie: What if we run out of food?
Me: Panic is harmful, don’t panic.
Debbie: O.K.
…………………………………………………………
Me: …Unless a hungry leopard jumps in your path. Then panic would probably be helpful. Otherwise, no.
Ann: Bill (who is 98) has been locked in his house for months. He’s running out of food.
Me: Oh, hell no. Get a grocery list from him. I’ll haul food up there and leave it on his porch.
Ann: I’ll call him tomorrow.
……………………………………………………….
Cat: Bugeyes turned us into security AGAIN for laughing after 9 PM. The guard came down and had a smoke with us.
Me: That’s the fourth time! I say let’s turd Bugeyes.
Carl: What?
Me: Put a Baby Ruth on his car-it looks like a turd.
Carl: I’ll do it.
Me: Here’s the Baby Ruth.
Everybody: Yeah. Do it Carl.
Laughter all around. Good thing it’s not after 9 PM.
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