# Get a damn life and chill out, weenies! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [April 4, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360 "2003-04-04T02:03:56Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![SweetLucy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bcef8e/32.png) [@SweetLucy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SweetLucy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/1 "2003-04-04T02:03:56Z")
We’re an absolute nation of damn sissy WEENIES for the love of all that’s holy! :rolleyes: Heard on the TV nightly news just now that many fraidycats are cancelling trips to Asia, because of that SARS crap. Probably the same afraid-of-their-own-shadow dorks who cancel their travel plans and huddle at home with their duct tape because of this damn war! :wally Get a life, my fellow Americans! I bet Osama is happy to see us “infidels” all terrified and emasculated- it seems unfortunately that terror and fear are winning. Personally what terrifies me is getting turned into mincemeat by a good ole buttmunching New Mexico drunk driver, more than this latest scary-illness-of-the-month ever does!:rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![Zanshin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/e274bd/32.png) [@Zanshin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zanshin)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/2 "2003-04-04T02:06:31Z")
Someone call a doctor! She’s hemorrhaging smileys! ---
**Author:** ![j\_kat\_251](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71c47a/32.png) [@j\_kat\_251](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j_kat_251)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/3 "2003-04-04T02:09:44Z")
When that Bali bombing happened, everyone cancelled their holiday trips there. As if lightening ever strikes twice in the same place. ---
**Author:** ![Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/qadgop_the_mercotan/32/83_2.png) [@Qadgop\_the\_Mercotan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Qadgop_the_Mercotan)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/4 "2003-04-04T02:17:01Z")
> [@](#): > > As if lightening ever strikes twice in the same place. Bad choice of analogies. Lightning actually does frequently strike the same location. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/5 "2003-04-04T02:24:25Z")
Didn’t you read **Sweetie**? A whole 78 people have died worldwide! Why, at that rate SARS will wipe out the planet long before accidental gum choking!!! Humans seem to have a hard time assessing risk and an even harder time understanding how to hedge any real risk. What’s more likely? Being a victim of biological terrorism in your home or dying of carbon monoxide poisoning because you’ve put plastic and duct tape on all of the vents in your basement? Fear can be a useful-- even lifesaving-- emotion. It works best when we know what we need to be fearful of. ---
**Author:** ![Eternal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/ecb155/32.png) [@Eternal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Eternal)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 2:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/6 "2003-04-04T02:35:14Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*…What’s more likely? Being a victim of biological terrorism in your home or dying of carbon monoxide poisoning because you’ve put plastic and duct tape on all of the vents in your basement? > \*\* The latter, but I’d pin that on ignorance instead of inability to assess risk. ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/7 "2003-04-04T03:20:59Z")
What the fuck?? > [@](#): > > Didn’t you read Sweetie? A whole 78 people have died worldwide! Why, at that rate SARS will wipe out the planet long before accidental gum choking!!! That’s 78 people in a rather limited area. > [@](#): > > Fear can be a useful-- even lifesaving-- emotion. It works best when we know what we need to be fearful of. There is nothing wrong with fearing a fatal disease. We wear condoms to protect against HIV, don’t we? Is that wrong? No, I’m not afraid of flying, but I sure as hell am not taking a trip to the middle east any time soon. Excercising caution and trying to protect ones own health and safety is not only a sound idea, but it’s pretty instinctual. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/8 "2003-04-04T03:33:16Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey1505 \* > \*\* > > That’s 78 people in a rather limited area. \*\* Worldwide is about as unlimited as we humans get. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey1505 \* > \*\* > > There is nothing wrong with fearing a fatal disease. We wear condoms to protect against HIV, don’t we? Is that wrong?\*\* Hence my my description of fear as useful and even lifesaving. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey1505 \* > \*\* > > No, I’m not afraid of flying, but I sure as hell am not taking a trip to the middle east any time soon.\*\* I’m not going to the Middle East anytime soon either. I have no reason to. I wouldn’t go to Iraq, Afghanistan or Syria even if I had a reason to. Too dangerous in my estimation. > [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Casey1505 \* > \*\* > Excercising caution and trying to protect ones own health and safety is not only a sound idea, but it’s pretty instinctual. \*\* Do you even know what risk assessment means? ---
**Author:** ![Casey1505](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/dc4da7/32.png) [@Casey1505](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Casey1505)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/9 "2003-04-04T03:44:51Z")
1. The disease has primarily affected China and Hong Kong. That’s hardly “worldwide”. [cite](http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story2&cid=578&ncid=578&e=9&u=/nm/20030404/ts_nm/health_pneumonia_dc) 2. Apologies. I misinterpereted your sentiment. 3. We seem in agreement, then. 4. Grow up. I am fully aware of what risk assessment is. ---
**Author:** ![iampunha](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/74df32/32.png) [@iampunha](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/iampunha)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/10 "2003-04-04T03:45:37Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by SweetLucy \* > I bet Osama is happy to see us “infidels” all terrified and emasculated- it seems unfortunately that terror and fear are winning. Yeah … I just bet someone on fucking dialysis is laughing about the poor medical treatment in his area and that if anyone near him were infected, his (Osama and infected person) chances of going to be with Allah are pretty fucking high. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/11 "2003-04-04T03:48:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > **Didn’t you read Sweetie? A whole 78 people have died worldwide!** … and 2223 infected. Your risk assessment is different to mine. Doesn’t me irrational, however. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 3:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/12 "2003-04-04T03:53:13Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Narrad \* > \*\*… and 2223 infected. > > Your risk assessment is different to mine. Doesn’t me irrational, however. \*\* Apparently not, since many, many people think that 2223 out of 6 billion is something to be worried about. But go on being safe from SARS. It’s a tough job. Must be ever diligent. ---
**Author:** ![Jervoise](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/d2c977/32.png) [@Jervoise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jervoise)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/13 "2003-04-04T05:06:20Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Biggirl \* > \*\*Apparently not, since many, many people think that 2223 out of 6 billion is something to be worried about. But go on being safe from SARS. It’s a tough job. Must be ever diligent. \*\* It’s somewhat troubling to me that you cite the population of the entire world, when we are only concerned with the risk of infection if travelling to a small, densely-populated region of the world. Clearly, your grasp of risk assessment is beyond mine. Indeed, you are _so_ ahead of the rest of the pack in assessing risk relating to infectious diseases that you _should_ be providing advice to both the Australian government and to the World Health Organisation. Obviously, with insights such as yours they wouldn’t be issuing such scaredy-cat paranoid warnings such as [these](http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5478,6227598%255E662,00.html): > [@](#): > > \*\*The Department of Foreign Affairs has upgraded travel warnings to SARS-affected countries including Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Vietnam and Canada, strongly recommending that Australians defer travel. > > The World Health Organisation last night also advised travellers to avoid Hong Kong and the Chinese province of Guangdong because of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome. \*\*Pray, Dr **Biggirl** , please illuminate us with further New Adventures in risk assessment. The world holds its breath as we wait for you to pull further insights out of your arse. ---
**Author:** ![peepthis](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9d8465/32.png) [@peepthis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/peepthis)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 6:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/14 "2003-04-04T06:11:31Z")
I’m with **Biggirl** on this. I wonder: if the war wasn’t going on right now, I bet SARS would be on the cover of every news magazine, newspaper, and leading off every tv broadcast – trying to scare the crap out of everyone. I mean, you see what happens when sharks attacked 4 people in one summer two years ago; imagine that blown up times 100 for a new **“KILLER MYSTERY FLU!!!”** or whatever the media would call it. People have no conception of probability. This is why people think they can beat one-in-170 million odds to win the lottery, or ran like zig-zagging fools during the Washington sniper attacks – not realizing that it was a one-in-umpteen-million chance they’d be next. So yes, fear can be a wonderful, life-preserving instinct. But I worry that it can also play too much into some people’s lives. ---
**Author:** ![Hemlock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Hemlock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hemlock)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/15 "2003-04-04T06:15:11Z")
Yes, they are weenies. I’m in Hong Kong and can’t believe what I’ve been seeing in terms of panic and silliness (see my blog for details). One person in 10,000 has caught it here - that’s 0.01%. Nearly all are either medical workers, residents of one particular housing development, or close family members of victims. No-one seems to have caught it in the subway, office or school. The only deaths (I think a dozen or so) have been among the aged or people with other serious conditions. WHO and people are issuing travel advisories out of ultra-caution, mainly because of unknowns (length of virus life outside the body, incubation period, exact method of transmission). But these are being solved. All the evidence so far is that it doesn’t spread easily at all under npormal conditions - hence that 1 in 10,000 figure. ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 7:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/16 "2003-04-04T07:25:11Z")
I’m just hoping this means cheaper airfare for me. ---
**Author:** ![GuanoLad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guanolad/32/42_2.png) [@GuanoLad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GuanoLad)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 11:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/17 "2003-04-04T11:16:24Z")
An epidemic is still an epidemic. That’s enough to be cautious, and frankly I’d listen to official warnings. ---
**Author:** ![Ben\_Hicks](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bbce88/32.png) [@Ben\_Hicks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ben_Hicks)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 11:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/18 "2003-04-04T11:22:18Z")
> [@](#): > > _Originally posted by Biggirl_ > Apparently not, since many, many people think that 2223 out of 6 billion is something to be worried about. But go on being safe from SARS. It’s a tough job. Must be ever diligent. Oh for fucks sake, stop being so facetious! That’s 2223 people in little over 3 weeks! Pretty fucking infectious if you ask me. If this disease spreads to any 3rd world countries with 5th rate healthcare the result could be absolutely devastating. ---
**Author:** ![China\_Guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/779978/32.png) [@China\_Guy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/China_Guy)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 11:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/19 "2003-04-04T11:58:05Z")
obviously none of you live in a third world country. Lessee, in China over that same period of time, how many people have died of hepatitus, malaria, food poisoning, traffic accidents, TB ad nauseum. Dollars to donuts a lot more than SARS, even if you just count the epicenter of Guangdong Province. Christ in the PRC you’ve got a 4% death rate with the majority of people untreated or poorly treated. The US has a 0% death rate so far. Get a grip and this said from living in a high risk country This is the latest from the CDC: Situation in Hong Kong SAR The Department of Health in Hong Kong SAR reported 26 new cases today, compared with 23 yesterday. These figures represent a significant decline from the 155 cases reported on Tuesday and 60 reported on Monday. This trend suggests that the extraordinary control measures undertaken by the government are working. The Department of Health further announced that 89 SARS patients have been discharged from hospitals. ---
**Author:** ![torben](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/5daacb/32.png) [@torben](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/torben)\ **Post date:** [April 4, 2003, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360/20 "2003-04-04T12:08:04Z")
I agree that the panic this disease has caused is a bit silly. This is hardly an epidemic. I’d travel to Asia without much fear of catching SARS. It’ll be contained soon and this disease will be yesterday’s news. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/get-a-damn-life-and-chill-out-weenies/166360.md?page=2)