Firstly, because it’s an example of a common phenomenon in media. One newsworthy thing happens, suddenly the media report any story that’s similar to it, leading naive readers/watchers to think that incidence of the thing being reported has increased. Particularly relevant to crime figures, where people vastly overestimate how often some crimes are committed, due to media coverage.
Secondly, because it’s not that much different to ‘Spanish’ Flu or the ‘French’ Disease. Shows how xenophobia, racism, disgust and a fear of disease are all connected and still quite common place. Bigotry isn’t so much connected to fear as it is to disgust at the different. Seems to be almost instinctual/evolutionary. That person’s different/foreign, might be carrying a disease, eww.
Which is ridiculous. Bed bugs are always a problem in large cities, and London really isn’t an exception.
It’s unlikely that the outbreak has significantly ‘spread’ from Paris. People are just more likely to notice they have an infestation.
It’s Luton. And the council has had phone calls about fears they could spread from Paris
It’s a non news story
I find it interesting though.
Firstly, because it’s an example of a common phenomenon in media. One newsworthy thing happens, suddenly the media report any story that’s similar to it, leading naive readers/watchers to think that incidence of the thing being reported has increased. Particularly relevant to crime figures, where people vastly overestimate how often some crimes are committed, due to media coverage.
Secondly, because it’s not that much different to ‘Spanish’ Flu or the ‘French’ Disease. Shows how xenophobia, racism, disgust and a fear of disease are all connected and still quite common place. Bigotry isn’t so much connected to fear as it is to disgust at the different. Seems to be almost instinctual/evolutionary. That person’s different/foreign, might be carrying a disease, eww.