COVIDiots

The Macmillian Dictionary defines “COVIDiot” as “an insulting term for someone who ignores health advice about COVID-19.” Urban Dictionary takes a pretty similar approach, defining “COVIDiot” as “someone who ignores the warnings regarding public health or safety. A person who hoards goods, denying them from their neighbors.”

Basically, a COVIDiot doesn’t take COVID-19 and the risks of the virus seriously, despite what government officials and the global health community say. At the same time, they may also engage in selfish behavior that doesn’t look out for the greater good when it comes to slowing down and stopping the spread of the coronavirus.

A COVIDiot is likely to say COVID-19 is a hoax or overblown, get pissed off when they’re asked to wear a mask, or refer to COVID-19 as “just a flu.”

They are confused and delusional also believing conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories are often used within a time of heightened anxiety to explain events beyond our control, Geoffrey Dancy, an expert in conspiracy theories, told Insider in March.

Insider reported that a new study has shown that those who believe in COVID-19 conspiracies are more likely to catch the virus, lose their jobs, and face social isolation. The Dutch study, published by Cambridge University Press, found that those who believe in COVID-19 conspiracies are less likely to be tested for COVID-19, but when tested, are more likely to be infected.  They also noted that there is a higher probability of this group violating coronavirus regulations and experiencing social rejection, reduced income, and decreased overall well-being.

Led by first author and social psychologist Jan-Willem van Prooijen, the study’s researchers surveyed 5,745 people to provide a large sample from a cross-section of Netherlands’ society, first in April 2020 and then again in December 2020.

Oxygen is God

Insider reported that India produces 7000 pounds of oxygen a day. Most of it is for industrial use. However people are dying for lack of oxygen. Liquid oxygen has to be stored at -297 degrees Fahrenheit. India doesn’t have enough Cryogenic tankers to store and transport the increased demand due to COVID-19.

For safety reasons oxygen can not be transported by air, it has to be transported by road or train. It is this distribution problem which is causing people to die due to lack of oxygen.

People are having to turn to a Sikh temple which is offering an ‘Oxygen Langar‘ in the street outside the temple to anyone who comes. Gurpreet Singh Rummy the president of Indirapuram Gurdwara said, “We believe no one should die due to a lack of oxygen. Oxygen is a small thing, but these days people treat oxygen like god. If you can get it, it will save your life.”

One in four patents who get into a hospital need oxygen. Some hospitals have asked people to bring their own oxygen cylendars. The black market has inflated the prices on oxygen cylendars. One man paid $600 for oxygen which is about nine times it’s usual price. Researchers have determined that the overall death toll inn India is likely 10 times higher than the numbers being reported with over a million dead.