Are people stupid?

[Brett]

The title of this thread "Are People Stupid" has been bothering me. Maybe because it is shaming and judgmental. I think there are better words to describe why people are not following stay at home and social distancing guidelines. People are irrational. They are bad at estimating risk. They do not like being told what to do. They have been told to not live in fear (that was a big message after 9/11). These things do not feel real if they do not know anyone with it. They may be bored out of their mind. Many people still have to work. They may think they will not get it or they could survive if they got it. There are many reasons people are not following strict recommendations. This reminds me of many other health issues. Why do people not use condoms? Why do people smoke? Why do people overeat to the point of obesity? Why do people drink and drive? Why do people use drugs? Why do people refuse to take their medications? Why do some people refuse vaccinations? I could go on and on about the irrational things people do when they know the risks of their behavior to themselves and others. Frankly, I am sure we have all been guilty of being "stupid" about health matters and other irrational behaviors at some point in our lives and maybe even now.

valid point
I was in Lowe's and grocery stores this weekend - crowded but people were keeping distance
Maybe 'stupid" is the wrong adjective

 

[WinniWoman]

I plan on going to the supermarket tomorrow. I will take a mask and gloves with me. I have to look at the produce, so I could not order stuff like that online. Also, I like to see what is available that maybe is not on my list and and compare things. I am not afraid of going to the stores. I am careful but not in a neurotic way.

I talk to people from a distance. My husband and I took a nice long walk today. There were a few people out, but the weather was gloomy so the area was really empty.

If the weather improves eventually we probably will go to Lowes also so hubby can buy lattice to put around the bottom of our front porch and/or maybe for another small project. He is going bonkers. I am getting very bored to the point I don't even want to cook anymore. Remember, when I worked I was always out and about each and every day- in and out of my car- talking to people. I can be a homebody also, but not to this degree.

 

[WinniWoman]

The title of this thread "Are People Stupid" has been bothering me. Maybe because it is shaming and judgmental. I think there are better words to describe why people are not following stay at home and social distancing guidelines. People are irrational. They are bad at estimating risk. They do not like being told what to do. They have been told to not live in fear (that was a big message after 9/11). These things do not feel real if they do not know anyone with it. They may be bored out of their mind. Many people still have to work. They may think they will not get it or they could survive if they got it. There are many reasons people are not following strict recommendations. This reminds me of many other health issues. Why do people not use condoms? Why do people smoke? Why do people overeat to the point of obesity? Why do people drink and drive? Why do people use drugs? Why do people refuse to take their medications? Why do some people refuse vaccinations? I could go on and on about the irrational things people do when they know the risks of their behavior to themselves and others. Frankly, I am sure we have all been guilty of being "stupid" about health matters and other irrational behaviors at some point in our lives and maybe even now.

OMG. I totally agree. I have been trying to make this point with people I am friends with who are so angry about whom they consider stupid or selfish for supposedly- in THEIR estimation- not obeying the social distancing "rule". Judging people without even knowing their "story" does not help anything anyway.

None of us is perfect, that's for sure.

 

[dioxide45]

This makes me wonder if grocery stores should be shut down to the public and just have shoppers deliver goods.

Grocery stores aren't staffed to handle this. Given that, and with all the other services that are already booked up, it would probably take forever to get groceries.

 

[Panina]

The title of this thread "Are People Stupid" has been bothering me. Maybe because it is shaming and judgmental. I think there are better words to describe why people are not following stay at home and social distancing guidelines. People are irrational. They are bad at estimating risk. They do not like being told what to do. They have been told to not live in fear (that was a big message after 9/11). These things do not feel real if they do not know anyone with it. They may be bored out of their mind. Many people still have to work. They may think they will not get it or they could survive if they got it. There are many reasons people are not following strict recommendations. This reminds me of many other health issues. Why do people not use condoms? Why do people smoke? Why do people overeat to the point of obesity? Why do people drink and drive? Why do people use drugs? Why do people refuse to take their medications? Why do some people refuse vaccinations? I could go on and on about the irrational things people do when they know the risks of their behavior to themselves and others. Frankly, I am sure we have all been guilty of being "stupid" about health matters and other irrational behaviors at some point in our lives and maybe even now.

You are right, I changed my post with different words even though it was directed at my other half.

 

[caribbeanqueen]

Judyh I have a vacation home in Venice (if you are talking Florida).

 

[JanT]

HEB in Texas has curbside delivery, which is wonderful. We haven't been to the store in 3 weeks and although some things have been difficult to get because of hoarding issues it has worked really well for us. I'm not sure I'll go into the store regularly when this is all over.

It would probably be simpler to go pick up groceries in a parking lot. Grocery store can set up a tent where you can drive up and give an order number, staff goes and gets your already bagged/boxed groceries, put it in your car, and you leave. Doesn't sound too hard. A small local store near me did this and it was simple.

 

[rapmarks]

The title of this thread "Are People Stupid" has been bothering me. Maybe because it is shaming and judgmental. I think there are better words to describe why people are not following stay at home and social distancing guidelines. People are irrational. They are bad at estimating risk. They do not like being told what to do. They have been told to not live in fear (that was a big message after 9/11). These things do not feel real if they do not know anyone with it. They may be bored out of their mind. Many people still have to work. They may think they will not get it or they could survive if they got it. There are many reasons people are not following strict recommendations. This reminds me of many other health issues. Why do people not use condoms? Why do people smoke? Why do people overeat to the point of obesity? Why do people drink and drive? Why do people use drugs? Why do people refuse to take their medications? Why do some people refuse vaccinations? I could go on and on about the irrational things people do when they know the risks of their behavior to themselves and others. Frankly, I am sure we have all been guilty of being "stupid" about health matters and other irrational behaviors at some point in our lives and maybe even now.

Yes, I guess it is. But when the sign says pool closed, but the health department will not allow it to be locked, what do you call lots of people who ignore the sign and go ahead. I am not talking about a handful, the gold course is busy all day, there are the same groups socializing in driveways, at least thirty or more,and probably over fifty peopleni. The pools,band then add in the tennis players. They have not changed their lifestyle at all.

 

[rapmarks]

 

[TravelTime]

View attachment 18405

This is good and brings the risk to life. However, I still think many people would play Russian roulette and try to beat the odds. That explains why it looks like so many people have not changed their behavior.

Maybe your community needs to close the golf course or at least set up some social distancing guidelines.

BTW, what city is this? Do you have many cases yet?

 

[MrockStar]

When we were kids, mom didn't get arrested for neglect if she left us in the car for 10 minutes.

Right, i remember those good old days.

 

[isisdave]

stupid : having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense

By definition, half of the population has less-than-median intelligence and/or common sense. So maybe the bottom third fall into that "great lack" category. I think it's a fair word, but one that we don't use much out loud, and teach our children not to use. I guess stupid acts are OK to mention, but not so much stupid people, although the definition certainly is apt for both.

But we all think it every day, especially of drivers, even in ordinary times. And it's true that a lot of otherwise intelligent people don't plan ahead much, but kind of live in the moment. It puzzles those of us who are linear thinkers, but it doesn't surprise me much any more.

==========

Speaking of gloves: I find that wearing them really helps me remember not to touch my face. We like the thin cotton ones used to handle jewelry, coins, photos and such. They breathe and are easy to wash when you get home.

 

[rapmarks]

This is good and brings the risk to life. However, I still think many people would play Russian roulette and try to beat the odds. That explains why it looks like so many people have not changed their behavior.

Maybe your community needs to close the golf course or at least set up some social distancing guidelines.

BTW, what city is this? Do you have many cases yet?

The community has set up the guidelines, they are not patrolling it though. The city is estero, right between naples and fort Myers. Pelican bay in Naples made the news because their beach club was opened and it was packed. All the beaches are closed here because the spring breakers went wild. As our governor said, jello shots off strangers belly is not social distancing.

 

[Ralph Sir Edward]

"Think of it as evolution in action. . . " - Larry Niven and Jerry Pournelle

 

[presley]

I still seeing people playing tennis every day. I assume that they all don't live together, but who really knows. I also saw a mom with several kids watching one of her sons get a private lesson from a basketball coach. This is all in an outdoor park where I walk my dogs.

My husband's business is complementary health. While most people are cancelling their appointments, we have several people who are insisting that they need to come in this week. I looked at the schedule and I see 4 elderly couples - in all cases, the husbands have dementia or alzheimers. What the hell are the wives thinking?

 

[klpca]

I work in a two person office in a larger office building. I am 90% working from home and go into the office for less than 5 hours once a week to keep things running (not my choice but that's another story). Most of the other tenants are working from home or closed but one office (not essential) is quietly open for business and according to my co-worker, had an after hours happy hour in their conference room last week. With families. Seriously? This is not because they are stupid, it is because they are selfish and arrogant. Personally I want this whole nightmare to end (who doesn't?) and the sooner we get serious about social distancing the sooner it will be over. But as long as we have fools like this, it will be wasted effort by the rest of us.

 

[rapmarks]

I work in a two person office in a larger office building. I am 90% working from home and go into the office for less than 5 hours once a week to keep things running (not my choice but that's another story). Most of the other tenants are working from home or closed but one office (not essential) is quietly open for business and according to my co-worker, had an after hours happy hour in their conference room last week. With families. Seriously? This is not because they are stupid, it is because they are selfish and arrogant. Personally I want this whole nightmare to end (who doesn't?) and the sooner we get serious about social distancing the sooner it will be over. But as long as we have fools like this, it will be wasted effort by the rest of us.

Right, how long can people isolate themselves. I have been isolated three weeks, but hundreds of neighbors have not. So we start up all over again. Lots of cases in lee and collier counties, so medical facilities overcrowded. Also on news,nurse got off a 12 hour shift to find her car was stolen.

 

[x3 skier]

From an interview from the Director of The Centers for Disease Control.

“At the end of the day, most of us who get this infection will recover. The majority of people do — probably 98%, almost 98.5%, 99% recover. The challenge is the older, the vulnerable, the elderly, those with significant medical conditions where this virus has shown a propensity to have a significant mortality.”

https://apple.news/AZWeq6JfQTsuAUyB5BoY4HQ

Cheers

 

[Maple_Leaf]

Are people stupid?

Ontario woman treks to Everest base camp, now stranded in Nepal due to coronavirus pandemic | Globalnews.ca

There is a Facebook group indicating at least 144 Canadians are currently stuck in Nepal.

globalnews.ca

 

[Brett]

Are people stupid?

Ontario woman treks to Everest base camp, now stranded in Nepal due to coronavirus pandemic | Globalnews.ca

There is a Facebook group indicating at least 144 Canadians are currently stuck in Nepal.

globalnews.ca

When they left the country in early March they thought the coronavirus would not be much of a problem, at least she is not stuck on top of the mountain !

 

[Maple_Leaf]

When they left the country in early March they thought the coronavirus would not be much of a problem, at least she is not stuck on top of the mountain !

Are people stupid? No, I think just living in their own reality and oblivious to much of the world around them.

 

[rapmarks]

A DJ diEd in fort Myers last Thursday of Covid 19, he was diagnosed four days before he died. What is really scary is he performed three days in a row about a week before he was diagnosed.

 

[billymach4]

Simple answer to your question . YES people are stupid!

 

[bluehende]

stupid : having or showing a great lack of intelligence or common sense

By definition, half of the population has less-than-median intelligence and/or common sense. So maybe the bottom third fall into that "great lack" category. I think it's a fair word, but one that we don't use much out loud, and teach our children not to use. I guess stupid acts are OK to mention, but not so much stupid people, although the definition certainly is apt for both.

But we all think it every day, especially of drivers, even in ordinary times. And it's true that a lot of otherwise intelligent people don't plan ahead much, but kind of live in the moment. It puzzles those of us who are linear thinkers, but it doesn't surprise me much any more.

==========

Speaking of gloves: I find that wearing them really helps me remember not to touch my face. We like the thin cotton ones used to handle jewelry, coins, photos and such. They breathe and are easy to wash when you get home.

I love tug.....

you sent me to the fancy thinking box and googled this;

Survey Finds Most Americans Think That They Have Above Average Intelligence

Survey Finds Most Americans Think That They Have Above Average Intelligence

www.iflscience.com

I got a good laugh at this being a male.


A new US-based nationally representative survey has found that 65 percent of respondents (70 percent in men, 60 percent in women) agree with this rather telling statement: “I am more intelligent than the average person.” Hopefully this doesn’t require a rudimentary lesson in statistics to explain why this simply isn’t possible.

 

[rapmarks]

The only thing to fear is fear itself. And stupid, you need to fear stupid.