Some of the most blaring examples of the press scolding on outdoor gathering and mask-wearing during the coronavirus pandemic are aging poorly as more liberals voice dissent to what was long conventional media wisdom.
Bill Maher, the liberal HBO host who frequently critiques his side of the political spectrum, lamented media “panic porn” on Friday in the form of overwhelmingly negative stories and the use of beach photos to shame revelers when outdoor gatherings are shown to be safe.
“Liberals often mock the Republican misinformation bubble … but what about liberals? You know, the high-information, behind-the-science people?” he asked.
Left-leaning outlet Slate published an article Saturday suggesting it was time to stop wearing masks outside, citing studies showing outdoor transmission of the virus is extremely rare.
Last week, the Washington Post reported it was clear it was safe to be outside, flashing back to histrionic coverage of large gatherings last year at the Lake of the Ozarks as a possible “super spreader.”
The Atlantic reported last week that the overwhelming use of beach pictures with pandemic news stories in outlets like the The New York Times and The Guardian contributed to incorrect public perceptions, such as that beaches were more risky than crowded restaurants.
Yet, as Maher said in his monologue on Friday, “it’s increasingly looking like the beach is the best place to avoid” coronavirus. One study in China found that out of “7324 identified cases in China with sufficient descriptions, only one outdoor outbreak involving two cases occurred in a village in Shangqiu, Henan.” Throughout the pandemic, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have noted it’s far safer to interact with people outdoors than indoors.
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