Did the Times Print an Urban Legend?

National Review ^ | July 14, 2020 | Michael Brendan Dougherty

[LouieFisk]

The story reveals itself in three paragraphs:

A 30-year-old man who believed the coronavirus was a hoax and attended a “Covid party” died after being infected with the virus, according to the chief medical officer at a Texas hospital.

In her statements to news organizations, Dr. Appleby said the man had told his nurse that he attended a Covid party. Just before he died, she said the patient told his nurse: “I think I made a mistake. I thought this was a hoax, but it’s not.”

It’s a morality tale, really. Don’t believe it’s a hoax! Or that you aren’t at risk because you are young! Maybe don’t live in a bad red state where they aren’t taking COVID seriously, or go to these parties. The only thing missing was a MAGA hat and a rueful dying admission, “I shouldn’t have trusted Trump or my Republican governor!”

But, as I read the story originally earlier this week, I realized the details didn’t quite add up. If you believe COVID is a hoax, why would you attend a “Covid Party?”

A closer look showed that not only were there no names named, but there was no date or location of the party and no other sources about where and whether it happened. And then there was the curious fact that a dying man’s self-incriminating final words were relayed to the press. Who gave permission for that?

But if you click on the article link now, as I write this, you will find a few paragraphs of hedging added in:

The Times could not independently verify Dr. Appleby’s account. On Monday, the San Antonio health department said its contact tracers did not have any information “that would confirm (or deny)” that such an event had happened there.

[LouieFisk]

It would be easier and take less time to cite what is *not* fake new in the NYT.

[Billthedrill]

Hmm...”Here’s a story that could be true and even if it isn’t it ought to be. That’s good enough for us.” Sure, fellas.

[Paladin2]

Can I get a date for the Death Pool on the NYT?

[Pajamajan]

bttt

[LouieFisk]

And this is a top doctor at the place spreading the story!

[Fiddlstix]

....A closer look showed that not only were there no names named, but there was no date or location of the party and no other sources about where and whether it happened. And then there was the curious fact that a dying man’s self-incriminating final words were relayed to the press. Who gave permission for that?...


WOW! This Calls For Maximium BS Detection!

First rule in reading any quote from the media - if the words “anonymous sources”, or “someone within the party” or other vague source or no name means liar liar statement!

[gas_dr]

The so called top doctor is likely the chief medical officer of the institution who forsook her oath and now sits behind a desk and no longer practices medicine. Trial lawyers and NONCLINICAL administrators are jeopardizing EVERY life in America who requires medical care.

[ClearCase_guy]

“Trust but verify” is just so 20th century.

[PghBaldy]

Glad to see this. I thought it was fake immediately. Seemed too good to be true (for people who hate Trump).

[decal]

All The Urban Legends That Is Fit To Print.

And, of course, this WOULD happen in a red state...

[mewzilla]

Apparently there's a pattern. Check this out...

The Latest Covid Party Story Gets a Twist Like any urban legend, this one changes slightly with each telling.

Pay special attention to the bit about the sources for the stories.

[hanamizu]

“Trust but verify” is just so 20th century.

---

Also Eurocentric!

[PeterPrinciple]

What does snopes say?

[The Toll]

Was watching the Sunday Morning morons with my wife when this story broke. I instantly said “bull$hit”.

[Pajamajan]

This needs to go viral. EVERYONE NEEDS TO WAKE UP TO THE FACT THAT THE MEDIA LIES TO THEM. They need TO KNOW that the MSM Is DELIBERATELY trying to instill fear and is an accomplice of the DNC. THEY ARE NOT JOURNALISTS. They are PROPAGANDISTS.

[The Toll]

Please. I’m still waiting for the indictment to come down for the Hillary supporter that killed her husband with fish tank cleaner then blamed Trump.

[BenLurkin]

“COVID is real, and very dangerous, and people who aren’t living in fear are stupid.

“Conclusion: TRUE”

/snopes

[LouieFisk]

“What does snopes say?”
—
What the left pays them to say, usually. They are not an uninterested party, they carry more water than the Poughkeepsie Fire Brigade.
Besides - if the people who told the story have no idea, why would anyone else?

[Texas resident]

Covid is also smart. It doesn’t infect rioters/looters BLM types. Or George Floyd love fests.

But it does infect Walmart Shoppers and people in sunbelt states.

[supremedoctrine]

My daughter with great disappointment showed me this story (on the internet), because she was pretty far along in believing me 100% on my conviction that the Great God Corona and its manipulation will prove to be the greatest scam possibly ever perpetrated to mankind on a global scale. As I remember , the story’s “convincer” was a photo of the man (was it really him?) looking very sick and drawn , with the appropriate caption, which provided its own talking point to support the master manipulators who are trying to extend the life of this thing to infinity. Now I really doubt all over again, like my initial take on it. thanks, National Review.