Why are there people unwilling to accept positive news at the moment?

[CathyandHeathcliff]

Exactly that.
I’ve noticed lately both on here and on social media, if someone posts something positive they are almost instantly knocked bak, or put in their place, laughed at or even counteracted with a negative piece of news. Even though there isn’t any firm evidence to the contrary. I know we’ve got to be on our guard, but this is honestly so draining. It’s especualky odd when it appears to come from experts, but it’s still seen as incorrect information! When most people don’t have anywhere near the same qualifications and experience as these people.
I’m not the only one who has noticed this surely?

Op, no there are a lot of us thinking the same as you. Some of the more negative threads have simply Turned into an echo chamber, as people don’t want involved in it any more.

They tell us there isn’t data to support the positive news, whilst pretending there is for some weeks old or other countries negative prediction, or claim to be living in reality, by looking for the worst case. Anyone else sick of hearing “are we tracking Italy”.

In reality this will be a bumpy ride, we should all hope for the best, and look at the data with an open mind.

People are attacked if they post anything positive, it’s why people are moving away from these god awful threads looking desperately for worst case to be true.

Maybe. Maybe each side think they have the facts and the other is in denial/scaremongering

On a personal level I'm grateful and positive about what I can do for my family, and I'm counting my blessings.

I'm careful to discriminate between 'news', facts and opinions. There's a lot of misinformation out there. Some of it jaw droppingly blatant and coming out of official govt briefings.

Of course I'm relieved for each story of a survivor. But so many people are suffering and losing loved ones that to openly focus on those who have been fortunate enough to survive feels like "yes, but look on the bright side, sorry about your granny, but at least I'm still alive, and so are all these other people!". I'm counting blessings silently.

I've been watching Italy's new cases, and they're certainly no longer accelerating at the rate they were. When they show a sustained downturn I'll let out my breath.

I suppose I'm neither optimistic nor pessimistic. I'm just watching, waiting, and holding my breath.

Some like to stay positive, therefore they spread positive news and talk things up. Negative news undermines this and it’s counter to their coping. Others cope by looking at the negatives, understand the worst case and feel prepared by that. They see positive news as undermining that and counter to their coping

I don’t disagree but you understand how unpalatable the second approach is, because with the first it’S people struggling with death and disease. In the second it’s people not wanting to hear not so many died or got ill, because they can only cope if it’s not bad.

That’s really deeply concerning. To need to hear many, many got sick or died so you can cope.

Definitely noticed this. People love a catastrophe. They’ll be gutted when it’s over. Turned a load of nobody’s into somebody’s.

People really do post rubbish on here.

But the facts do say that the last two days the rate of positive tests/infection has slowed. Thats not an opinion piece or a model it is the published statistics.

The numbers are quite variable from day to day though, so it's a mistake to put too much weight on changes over a day or two. It's the long term trend that's most informative.

And before you criticise me for being negative, I would say exactly the same thing if the number were going the other way. It's not about being positive or negative, it's about being realistic.

My DH is a bit like this but he always has been really. He's still working as the business he works for supplies essential products into industries that have to stay up and running including medical sector.We've seen a small dip in income from my SE wages but we're in a much better position at the moment than some around us and have savings. Whilst I know this can change in a flash, I'm trying to keep cheerful especially in front of the kids as they're still adapting to isolation/ worrying about ill relatives. He says I'm foolish for thinking that we're not heading into the greatest depression we've ever seen and was disgusted with me for treating the kids to Disney Plus last week as we should be saving every penny.

God yes we've had people demanding schools closed that happened then it was lockdown that happened then it was lockdown not enough you shouldn't be going out at all this will last for months & months .
I understand we all have different ways of dealing with things but thinking the worst surely must drive you mad ? .
I mean it was positive news this morning that early signs are slowing but I've not really seen anyone mention it do you not believe it and if so why do you want to believe the bad news and not the good news ? I mean I know we are a way off yet but it's a start and it's good news .
I prefer to think positive I realise this situation won't end overnight but I'm not going to let it get me down .

I find it difficult to take the good news seriously when the so called experts change their collective minds more often than their socks.

I can't say I've noticed that but would love to hear some really good news.

It's possible people are particularly cynical at the moment, feeling the good news won't last or the terrible virus will somehow spoil it. Everyone is a bit different, understandably, but it's very evident on here.

someone just said on another thread 'the truth is more frightening than we could imagine'

people (not so) secretly love the drama