Reading some of the comments in this thread, it's amazing that the scientific study of climate and the atmosphere has become a matter of political identity.
Two of our current greatest threats threats to human life reduced to political wedge issues.
Sure, we should take some precautions from now on, but this level of hyperbole is ridiculous.
If anything, this pandemic was a good wake up call to be a bit more careful in our modern super-connected world. We should prepare in case a truly dangerous bug comes along. The hyperbole actually goes against this, see Cry Wolf.
You see the death stats and calculate a %. Once a medicine is invented the stats of injuries (both physical and financial) would trickle in. Several survivors have lost legs, lung and kidney function.
SARS and swine flu were the wake up calls. This is real deal. And yes, if we don’t learn next will be worse.
Exaggerating the impact of covid is only going to throw more fuel on the fire for people inclined towards viewing the whole thing with a great deal of skepticism. All these white lies and misleading statements add up and the result won't be improved public discourse.
Disease and climate were the issues being referenced. Taking it to mean, specifically, covid-19 is obviously not such an issue.
Or/and you forgot what happened in New York? Just imagine that in every bigger city at once.
1988 Canadian environment minister: No matter if the science of global warming is all phony…climate change [provides] the greatest opportunity to bring about justice and equality in the world.
Many more https://www.forbes.com/sites/larrybell/2013/02/05/in-their-o...
It's a "bootleggers and baptists" combination of those who want to remake the world governance and true believers who want to save the world from the perceived danger.
But more charitably, I could also see people going past worrying to denial/dismissal
To accept it and and work from there to adapt and mitigate is terrifying. I think you can probably say the same about climate change.
Additionally, I think you could draw a line that these denials are influenced by those protecting their "salaries"
Guess what- the coal industry is going out of business anyway. Those dinosaurs will die anyway - the problem is with “jobs will be lost” argument they are also dragging the future of rest of the humanity with them.
Coal's life may be limited, but in the coming 50 years it's just going to grow significantly.