This week I decided to lead my group exploration to include myths from the past and give them the opportunity to focus on more modern examples as well. Topics of conversation ranged from current topics which included the COVID-19 pandemic, Alzheimer’s, and Human Sexuality to more historical myths including the Black Death and Leprosy. With the group discussion encapsulating examples from both the present and past, interesting similarities can be observed between these stories. While individuals studying the past are often in awe of some of the mistakes made in the past, a closer examination of the present often reveals these traits to be repeated. The following examples are the highlights and summaries of the modern myths and misinformation that was discussed this week.
COVID 19 Pandemic
The COVID-19 Pandemic has affected billions, infected millions, and killed hundreds of thousands of people. It has placed the world into a pause; with a global recession, schools and work being canceled, and travel being restricted. In a time where you would expect the world to come together, there has been a divide created through myths and misinformation. Even esteemed individuals such as the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump have referred to this pandemic several times as the “Chinese Virus” leading to discrimination of Asian ethnic groups all around the world. Even in our own backyard, vandalism and lack of support to Asian run businesses has been seen during these hectic times. These myths have had had a negative effect on my life as well, with racism and discrimination affecting myself, family, and friends of the Asian-Canadian community. We have faced discrimination in several places including school, public facilities like transit, the library, and even online. Our ethnicity has been associated with the virus and that has placed some of the hate and fear on us as well.
Sexuality & Reproduction
Sexuality and Reproduction have often been seen as a topic of taboo in society, as several cultures and religions believe in the idea of pre-marital abstinence. Since these ideas are looked-down upon, individuals newly experiencing natural feelings of sexual attraction are usually left feeling confused. Oftentimes this information is not even discussed, and that leads individuals to seek information from external sources. Myths and misinformation about topics surrounding sex including reproduction, STI’s, and abortion are prevalent in society today. This misinformation is spread through several channels including the internet, word of mouth conversation, and even the school curriculum in some cases. Negative effects that could stem from this misinformation could include discomfort or fear of the act, the spread of STI’s and unwanted pregnancies.
Alzheimer’s
While not all myths about death and diseases are as controversial as the previous examples, it is interesting to see how much misinformation we have acquired about modern diseases throughout our lifetime. Alzheimer’s is a harmless disease that is often associated with aging, memory loss, and is a good example of misinformation in modern diseases. Many individuals believe that only the older population can get Alzheimer’s (as memory loss is a symptom of aging), but a matter of fact individuals can get this disease as early as their 30s. This disease is often branded as harmless, but it slowly destroys brain cells, causes erratic behaviors, and ultimately loss of all body functions. While this information again is not highly controversial, it is important to inform yourself about modern diseases and ensure you are mindful and not downplaying individuals who are affected by it.
References
COVID-19 travel advisories create tensions in B.C. tourist towns | CBC News. (2020, June 08). Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/pandemic-bc-alberta-tourism-tensions-1.5599998
Myths. (n.d.). Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www.alz.org/alzheimers-dementia/what-is-alzheimers/myths
Teen Health and Wellness. (n.d.). Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://teenhealthandwellness.com/article/26/6/myths-and-facts-about-abstinence
Vazquez, M., & Klein, B. (2020, March 19). Trump again defends use of the term ‘China virus’. Retrieved August 05, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/03/17/politics/trump-china-coronavirus/index.html
Image Links
https://www.pexels.com/photo/coronavirus-3992933/
https://www.quora.com/Is-it-a-bad-idea-to-get-married-when-you-and-you-girlfriend-never-have-sex
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2020-03-alzheimer-disease.html
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