Refugee panic reminds me of Ebola panic

[Renew Deal]

Here are some general poll numbers:

Ebola
27% believe ebola is a "major threat"

55% believe it is some level of threat

http://www.cbsnews.com/news/poll-shows-growing-fear-of-ebola-in-u-s

72% "very concerned" about ebola outbreak

http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/10/09/poll-72-percent-of-americans-very-concerned-about-us-ebola-outbreak

70% believe health care workers should be quarantined for 21 days after returning

http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2014/10/poll_voters_strongly_support_m.html

58% support barring flights from Ebola countries

2-1 oppose sending troops to fight Ebola

http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ebola-virus-outbreak/majority-americans-want-flights-banned-ebola-countries-survey-n221751

Refugees
Before Paris:
55% favor bringing in refugees (September 4-8)

83% support humanitarian assistance (September 4-8)

http://www.cnn.com/2015/09/14/politics/cnn-poll-migrant-crisis

53% oppose bringing in refugees (September 17-21)

http://thehill.com/policy/defense/255137-poll-support-for-allowing-syrian-refugees-in-us-sharply-divided-by-party

After Paris:

52% think nations which accept refugees fleeing the strife in Syria are less safe.

40% support accepting refugees. 41% oppose accepting refugees

http://www.reuters.com/article/2015/11/16/us-france-shooting-usa-poll-idUSKCN0T528Y20151116

This is about all I can find for current polling. Americans seem to be more open to refugees than Ebola patients. Not sure why. But the trend on refugees isn't great.

[Dorian Gray]

1. In that case,

it'll be forgotten about in three weeks.

[Renew Deal]

2. I was thinking that too.

[Cali_Democrat]

3. Thank you for the reminder

Many people right here on DU were in a total state of panic because the govt wanted to treat ebola patients in the US.

I remember it well.

Even DU isn't immune to irrational fear.

[Tipperary]

4. I remember it too. I was still in lurker mode then but I do remember some posters who

did not even want the American aid workers to come back for treatment. I was sickened by that attitude.

[jberryhill]

5. Yeah, I've been meaning to dig up one of the "half of world dead by 2015" posts...

...that was vigorously asserted here by a certain poster.

[NightWatcher]

6. Breaking News: Refugees have Ebola and will explode if you look at them

We must keep them out of Murica

[Renew Deal]

7. lol

Nice post Ted Cruz!

[bklyncowgirl]

8. It's a similar pattern, unfortunately; genuine concern conflated by media and political opportunism

1. A threat emerges
2. The media covers it with breathless anticipation
3. People get really scared.
4. The government says "Don't be silly. There's no real threat."
5. Republican politicians jump on the fear bandwagon with irresponsible statements.
5. The media covers the politicians.
6. The public gets really, really scared.
7. The government officials involved try to calm fear with facts. Their arguments are too complicated for most people to understand.
8. Republicans claim there's a conspiracy to suppress the truth.
9. Media covers the Republicans
10. The public is now in a total panic. The news stations ratings go up.
11. Nothing happens, I mean seriously, nothing happens.
12. Everyone moves on to something else. Hey, Christmas is coming!