Steve Chapman: Inflated Fears of Ebola and Terrorism

Americans are living under a dire threat that
could quickly escalate into a national emergency. No, not Ebola or
the Islamic State but the hugely overhyped fear of them. The public
resembles one of those cartoon elephants perched on a chair in
trembling terror of a mouse.

Ebola has killed one person in the United States, which is one
more than the Islamic State has killed. But Americans spooked by
horrific tales and ominous images are responding as though mass
death looms before us.

A Washington Post poll found that 43 percent of Americans are
“very worried” or “somewhat worried” that they or their immediate
family members will contract Ebola. In a CNN poll, 45 percent
described the Islamic State as a “very serious” threat. Humorist
Andy Borowitz says CNN’s new slogan is “Holy Crap, We’re All Gonna
Die.”

But, as Steve Chapman writes, Americans have a way of letting
their fears get the best of them. That’s where things get truly
scary.

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