Deadly virus or hoax? It's both!

[elias7]

Unbelievable cognitive dissonance in the emergency department tonight, with a father of a two-year-old with a febrile seizure upset about having to stay in the waiting room while child and mother were in the exam room. As our numbers in New Hampshire are increasing as everywhere else, we have strict no visitor policy, and this was upsetting to the father, not surprisingly, but he declared that Covid was a hoax then proceeded to threaten and abuse the nursing staff.

After examining the child and going out to spend some time with the father, I was very patient in describing what needed to be done and what didn’t need to be done for a febrile seizure in an otherwise well appearing child, which typically is not a very extensive work up. He apparently didn’t hear me offer to do some bloodwork if that was his wish, because he then stated, “OK, we’ll just take him down to Boston Children’s Hospital where they will actually do something to try to find out what is wrong with my son.” He said there’s a deadly virus out there and you guys aren’t doing anything.

I thought to myself, “so what is it, a hoax or a deadly virus?” For these people, it’s both. It’s whatever they need in the moment for it to be. These people are morons.

[sakabatou]

1. They are double-thinkers

[Aussie105]

8. Most definitely.

It's a hoax, because thinking that makes the guy feel better.

But just in case . . . it's for real, and you health professionals aren't doing enough!

Contradictory viewpoints, but emotionally satisfying to the mentally challenged.

[Buckeye_Democrat]

2. Poorly informed, and they're regularly brainwashed.

Old example:

[NJCher]

3. As an educator

I find such reports very distressing. We do teach listening skills in college.

However, in a grad level health communication course, we teach that at the time of delivering a diagnosis, particularly if it is a stressful one, the patient’s attention span is splintered and it’s very likely they hear little of what is said.

[stopdiggin]

4. I haven't agreed with every medical opinion

or diagnosis tendered in my direction over the years .... But you can be goddamned sure I listened attentively to every word!

(I do, however, hear what you are saying about stress, and stressful situations. And glad you are teaching to this point.)

[canetoad]

5. I couldn't deal with this disordered thinking

And elias7, as a medical professional you SHOULDN'T have to.

I honestly have no clue how to address this current trend of internet memes over established scientific thinking.

[ananda]

6. One thing about Trumpers..

They have an extreme amount of displaced anger.

[Peccadillo]

7. Perfect example of compartmentalized thinking

Here’s another example. Trumpster being interviewed is both for and against taking reasonable precautions to protect human life, and both for and against letting majority opinion decide the issue of mask wearing.

https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/machiavellians-gulling-the-rubes/202010/compartmentalization-the-mindset-authoritarian-voters

[nuxvomica]

9. Wow! I have a relative like that

In the same conversation:

A) The virus is a hoax.
B) People shouldn't listen to Fauci because he's just a fear-monger.
C) COVID-19 was created by that evil Fauci as a bioweapon.
D) She doesn't need a mask because she had COVID-19 last year.

It's like talking to a parrot. They sound like they know what they're saying but they are just repeating sounds they heard. But that may be unfair... to parrots. Some research indicates that can relate what they say to appropriate thinking.

[Maru Kitteh]

10. Is there some reason why you didn't just ask the mother to begin with

for permission to do the bloodwork?

Dealing with that asshat was a mere courtesy, if he doesn't have it within himself to appreciate that he can GTFO. You already had a guardian in the room with the child. Take care of your nurses.