Paranoid and self-centred people who think they have the Wu Flu dispite never leaving the house. - How the hell do you get through to someone like this?

[The Un-Clit]

I've tried logic, I've tried statistics, I've even tried Dr. Phil's "play the what-if game all the way" strategy.

Someone I care for is fully convinced there's a world of plague right out of 12 Monkeys waiting outside their door thanks to the constant fearmongering of the traditional news media, which this person absorbs 18 hours a day. This person alcohol wipes the doorknobs inside and out several times a day, washes their hands even more often then that and is convinced they will drop dead if they get covid-19 because they are 'high risk' (they are 69 years old, but with no lung problems except the one they are giving themselves with all the stress and have a hard time breathing. Half the time they claim they have it.

I live in a country that has less then 10000 cases in a population of 40 million, and less then 100 people have died. 20 have died in my province. 4500 have recovered fully. Yet I cannot convince them that they have almost zero risk at this time and don't need to so obsessively self isolate or scrub when they have zero social interaction and live in a huge empty house. They won't even allow grocery shopping for them to come into the house, it's covered in plague and so are you if you step outside the door. Neither reason nor screaming work. I'm at my wit's end.

Anyone?

 

[Get_your_kicks_with_30-06]

Start coofing around them 24/7 and then tell them you tested positive.

Then wait 2 weeks and when they don't start having any symptoms you both have a good chuckle over the great lesson you just taught them

Hopefully, neither of you actually get the Kung flu within the time frame of this full proof plan and die of lung glue

 

[oldTireWater]

At this point, I think these people want to see the world fall apart just so they can say "see, I called it."

 

[Ronnie Rocket]

So you're admitting you know Yaniv personally?

Edit: Oh wait, 69 years old -- so you're admitting you know Miriam personally?

 

[that jerk over there]

Have you tried unplugging them and plugging them back in?

Okay I'm being serious now: they're freaking out because they don't feel in control of the situation. Facts and reason won't work so you need to keep them busy even if it's pointless. If they need groceries delivered, tell them to clean and "sanitize" them before bringing the bags/boxes inside... in short, give them something, anything, to keep them busy. Create a list, the longer the better. That way they'll have less time to watch tv doomfest and they'll have an illusion of control.

 

[Pukebucket]

If only there was a single, convenient word to use for these people.

 

[Guts Gets Some]

If they're absorbing nothing but this fear-mongering media, there's nothing you can do for them. Especially if you already tried logic and facts.

They're convinced, so leave them alone and let them worry about what will never happen. Beyond hope at this point.

Sometimes you gotta just let a tire fire burn itself out.

 

[The Fifth Waltz]

As someone who is currently stuck with two extreme hypochondriacs you've gotta let them worry. Just don't talk about Corona-chan around them and don't let them freak you out.

 

[President Joe Biden]

Tell them to buy a gun.

 

[heathercho]

I was at the doctors a week ago, unrelated to ChinkAids and there was a youngish, big fat guy who stumbled in screaming that the Corona had "Come got him". He made a massive scene. Apparently a chink had sneeze near him the day before.

My GP, (also a childhood friend) later msg'd me : He had a mild cold and had the heater on in his car. Temp outside was 29c. Tested Negative for the Coof.

That's the level that doctors have to deal with. That's why mass testing is so important, I guess.

There's no way of telling them that they don't have Kungflu. You just have to "Yes, Dear" them.

 

[Exorbital Columnations]

69, huh? Nice.


Nice.

 

[Pandemic at the disco]

69, huh? Nice.


Nice.

69

It will soon be 4/20.

They them know they can't get sick till then. It's illegal.

In all seriousness, going outside for a walk is good for their health. Maybe convince them that masks work and bring them one? If you can't get them out then try some light indoor exercise or card games. Get the body going, get the mind going.


Maybe watch Tiger King with them? That would get anyone out of their own head.

 

[polonium]

Tell them they'll be dead soon one way or the other so why worry specifically about Lung Pao

 

[Ivan Shatov]

Every hour in the US, about 5 people die in auto accidents (including pedestrians.) That's about 3,360 a month, and it's not the only mortality metric related to behavior.

Between March 1 and March 30, the WuFlu has killed about 3,000 people. This is a gauge, we don't know the exact number but it's not bad as a measure.

Tell your friend the social distancing and stay at home orders have actually helped tens of thousands of people to survive longer than they would have without WuFlu. About 50% of the people dying are 50+ and most of them have co-morbidity factors that complicate the disease. They weren't long for this Earth, the science that kept them around is decadent and foolish because it created the breeding grounds for this disease in the first place. They were unnatural abberations with no place on this Earth, the disease has done society a favor by reducing the burdens they placed on all around them.

Of the other 50%, while it's fine to feel for them, remember that some significant portion were just idiots licking toilet lids and taking unnecessary risks because they are soft-headed. Basic personal protection like washing your fucking hands and covering your nose and mouth around idiots reduces your chance of infection by several magnitudes.

This disease kills the weak, stupid and infirm. If your friend still feels paranoid, maybe that person is one of them. Tell them if they don't take the steps necessary to protect themselves in the real world their isolated bubble will eventually be popped by something as stupid as the mail.

Nature is an unyielding, cruel bastard, it will kill you given the chance whether by virus, grizzly, privation or exposure. We're all just having a closer encounter than usual, the veneer of normality / safety that permiates society has been pierced. But the same forces are at work that everyone in past generations faced every day of their lives and they made it through them with no problem. Tell your friend to nut up and stop pretend anything is worse than it was 100 years ago, we're the most prepared to deal with this virus humankind has ever been. It just takes a little longer to kill it because we didn't prepare specifically for it's arrival.

Death is not something to be feared, it's something to be overcome. Not accepting the challenge is the opposite of what it means to live.

 

[Doctor Placebo]

Is this thread a callout post for forum members?

 

[The Un-Clit]

If they're absorbing nothing but this fear-mongering media, there's nothing you can do for them. Especially if you already tried logic and facts.

They're convinced, so leave them alone and let them worry about what will never happen. Beyond hope at this point.

Sometimes you gotta just let a tire fire burn itself out.

Thanks Fam, I wish it were that simple. I'm blood-tied and mostly responsible for this person who thinks they are still self-sufficient, when they are not.

But this is pretty much all I can do as much as I can I think, so thank you.

 

[Guts Gets Some]

Thanks Fam, I wish it were that simple. I'm blood-tied and mostly responsible for this person who thinks they are still self-sufficient, when they are not.

But this is pretty much all I can do as much as I can I think, so thank you.

I actually think @Ivan Shatov gave the best response.

 

[The Un-Clit]

I actually think @Ivan Shatov gave the best response.

True, but I already tried that. This person pretty much IS exactly as @Ivan Shatov described, and is being extra paranoid to the point of dementia about it. I would like to ignore it, but because I am forced to interact with them no matter how gently OR brutally I tell them not to fucking regale me with regurgitated fearmongering and demand I wash everything 6 times an hour and shriek at me as if I bear the plague when I have to show up, it dosen't help.

 

[Guts Gets Some]

True, but I already tried that. This person pretty much IS exactly as @Ivan Shatov described, and is being extra paranoid to the point of dementia about it. I would like to ignore it, but because I am forced to interact with them no matter how gently OR brutally I tell them not to fucking regale me with regurgitated fearmongering and demand I wash everything 6 times an hour and shriek at me as if I bear the plague when I have to show up, it dosen't help.

Sadly, the media has far too much power for things like this. They don't get how utterly extreme some people will take it.
I guess only they can stop it now. Humor them when you can, but do your own thing elsewhere. Only the media can lift it, it seems.

Funny thing is, whether true or not, if the media said tomorrow out of nowhere everything was fine, I have no doubt this person would instantly believe it, no questions asked. I too know this type of person. Pure follower.

 

[Ivan Shatov]

True, but I already tried that. This person pretty much IS exactly as @Ivan Shatov described, and is being extra paranoid to the point of dementia about it. I would like to ignore it, but because I am forced to interact with them no matter how gently OR brutally I tell them not to fucking regale me with regurgitated fearmongering and demand I wash everything 6 times an hour and shriek at me as if I bear the plague when I have to show up, it dosen't help.

Control your environment.

Listen, negative thoughts are poison for the brain. Your job is to be around people who nourish you and minimize your contact with those who would diminish you in some way. Spend too much time listening to someone being crazy and it will dull your mental edge.

Be frank and honest with the person, even if they are of a diminished capacity. Sometimes we treat things like dementia as a "say whatever the fuck you want" card. That's self-torture, tell them enough's enough and it's time to change the subject. Be clear what you are willing to do and stick to it, don't let them push you and inch further.

If they continue past that, earphones and video games until they get the message.