Why Some Of The Media Should Be Ashamed For Shaming COVID Victims

Let me start by saying that not all members of the media are guilty of doing this.  For example, myself and my team are part of the media and we would never dream of shaming someone who died of the virus.  Or, shaming the family of the deceased.

Sadly, though, it does happen.

Since the first months of the pandemic, some news media outlets have made a point of highlight certain victims of the COVID-19 pandemic.  While these type of stories were more common from print and online news outlets, there was at least one particular TV outlet that often ran these stories.

With any tragedy, like a worldwide pandemic, it is important to show the public the human toll.  It is important that we understand that these case numbers and death numbers are more than just numbers.  They represent real people.  They leave behind husbands, wives, children, co-workers, and friends.

However, these news stories didn’t highlight the truly tragic stories.  Like the teacher who, while battling COVID-19, continued to teach her students remotely until a few days before she passed away.  Or, the stories of young, healthy people who passed away from the virus.

No, these articles all go after a certain type of COVID-19 victim.  Typically, these stories / articles specifically highlighting the victims who made the choice to go against the CDC and government guidelines.

In the early days of the pandemic in the United States, you would frequently see headlines like “Man Who Called COVID-19 A Hoax Dies Of The Virus”.

Once mask mandates had been implemented across the majority of the country, the headlines switched to things like “Anti-Masker Succumbs To Virus Gasping For Breath.”

Then, as the vaccines became available to every American over the age of 12, the headlines switched once again.  Now, they say things like, “With Dying Breath, Anti-Vaxxer Says He Wishes He Had Gotten The Vaccine.”

I am purposely not mentioning names of media outlets.  You know these stories when you see them.

Regardless of your thoughts about the pandemic, or the measures taken to control it, these poor men and women do not deserve to be posthumously shamed.

There had to be better ways to promote "masking up" and getting the vaccine, right?

It angers and saddens me that some members of the media would stoop so low to prove their point.

That is my opinion.  I want to know what you think.  Send us a message through our app or on Facebook.