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An epidemic of rumors: how stories shape our perception of disease

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dc.contributor.authorLee, Jon D., author
dc.contributor.authorMiller, Dan, artist
dc.contributor.authorUtah State University Press, publisher
dc.date.accessioned2007-01-03T05:48:02Z
dc.date.available2007-01-03T05:48:02Z
dc.date.issued2014
dc.descriptionDan Miller, cover design.
dc.descriptionIncludes bibliographical references and index.
dc.description.abstractIn An Epidemic of Rumors, Jon D. Lee examines the human response to epidemics through the lens of the 2003 SARS epidemic. Societies usually respond to the eruption of disease by constructing stories, jokes, conspiracy theories, legends, and rumors, but these narratives are often more damaging than the diseases they reference. The information disseminated through them is often inaccurate, incorporating xenophobic explanations of the disease's origins and questionable medical information about potential cures and treatment. Folklore studies brings important and useful perspectives to understanding cultural responses to the outbreak of disease. Through this etiological study Lee shows the similarities between the narratives of the SARS outbreak and the narratives of other contemporary disease outbreaks like AIDS and the H1N1 virus. His analysis suggests that these disease narratives do not spring up with new outbreaks or diseases but are in continuous circulation and are recycled opportunistically. Lee also explores whether this predictability of vernacular disease narratives presents the opportunity to create counter-narratives released systematically from the government or medical science to stymie the negative effects of the fearful rumors that so often inflame humanity. With potential for practical application to public health and health policy, An Epidemic of Rumors will be of interest to students and scholars of health, medicine, and folklore.--Provided by publisher.
dc.description.tableofcontentsChronicle of a health panic -- SARS and AIDS: a comparison of etiological legends -- We gather together: SARS and public space -- Private actions in public spaces: SARS and paradigm violations -- "Please receive communion through your hands": personal and communal mediation of stigma in the 2003 SARS epidemic -- The cause and the cure: folk medicine and SARS -- This little virus went to market: a compariosn of H1N1 narratives -- Full circle: the recycling of disease narratives.
dc.format.mediumborn digital
dc.format.mediumbooks
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10217/88150
dc.languageEnglish
dc.language.isoeng
dc.publisherColorado State University. Libraries
dc.relation.ispartofUtah State University Press
dc.rightsCopyright and other restrictions may apply. User is responsible for compliance with all applicable laws. For information about copyright law, please see https://libguides.colostate.edu/copyright.
dc.rightsAll rights reserved. User is responsible for compliance. Please contact University Press of Colorado at https://upcolorado.com/our-books/rights-and-permissions for use information.
dc.rights.accessAccess is limited to the Adams State University, Colorado State University, Colorado State University Pueblo, Community College of Denver, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University Denver, Regis University, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado Boulder, University of Colorado Colorado Springs, University of Colorado Denver, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University and Western Colorado University communities only.
dc.subject.lcshEpidemics
dc.subject.lcshEpidemics -- Social aspects
dc.subject.lcshCommunicable diseases -- Public opinion -- Psychological aspects
dc.titleAn epidemic of rumors: how stories shape our perception of disease
dc.typeText

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