Leprosy, also known as Hansen's Disease, used to be devastating illness that often caused disability and disfigurement. Today we know how to treat it, so it is no longer the big, scary thing it once was. It is easily treatable and completely curable. It is also fairly hard to catch. You have to be repeatedly exposed to infected people over along period of time. It is a very slow moving bacterial infection. Also, some 95% of us are totally immune and cannot catch it at all.
If you would like some references or facts to help verify what I have just said, here is a link from the CDC.
I mention this because we are currently being inundated with leprosy fear mongering from the media. I'm a huge fan of free speech but if I were queen of the world, I'd be tempted to shut them all down for lying to instigate panic. Just as we don't have the right to yell "fire" in a crowded theater, I don't believe the media should have the right to emotionally terrorize citizens with outright lies. This is emotional and psychological abuse and it is damaging and dangerous.
I don't wish to link to any of this mediated reality bovine poo, but here are copies of some of the actual headlines people are being blasted with 24/7:
Leprosy May Now Be Endemic in Florida!
Leprosy Cases Rising Rapidly!
How to Tell if You Have Contracted Leprosy!
Doctors Concerned About Sharp Rise of Leprosy!
This is coming from CNN, NBC, FOX, NY Times, The Today Show, The Guardian, etc.
Unfortunately people are easily frightened, not highly informed, and they tend to perceive the media as a reliable source of authority. I find it absolutely appalling that they are allowed to spew so much blatant misinformation and take advantage of people's vulnerabilities. In theory we should have some political leadership stepping up to the plate to reassure people and to clarify that this is just a bunch of click bait, fear mongering. Unfortunately most of our current political leadership couldn't find their integrity with two hands and a flashlight and so it is unlikely such statements will be forthcoming.
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