The most frightening thing about this Halloween season doesn't just include spooky graveyards and cackling witches, but the spread of the Ebola virus that has now been added to the angst. In spite of the fear that many Americans are facing, costume companies have still managed to make light of the situation by producing hazmat suit Halloween costumes. As Halloween is quickly approaching, controversy has been stirred up as to whether the costume is appropriate or not.
According to the New York Post,
"It’s unfortunate that so many deceased methamphetamine addicts had to have their condition belittled last year when “Breaking Bad” hazmat suits were a hot Halloween outfit. Three years ago, the October death of Steve Jobs was an occasion for national mourning, yet a mere three weeks later it inspired a turtleneck-wearing zombie Steve to trot around holding an iPad with a coffin labeled iDied. Wife-beaters and pedophiles aren’t funny, and yet people dress up as them for Halloween."
In my opinion, I find the costume to be insulting and repulsive. Taken into account that the disease is deadly and the situation is serious, I do not think that it is funny to make a joke out of a life-threatening situation, especially one that is still ongoing and very much present. In the situation that one is suspected of carrying the virus, serious protocol of having that person isolated is taken. Hence, this is where the hazmat suit comes into action. The hazmat suits are used as a way to protect oneself from contracting the disease, therefore I do not find the humor in acting as though one is in a life-threatening situation, especially when it may cause fear in those around them. Despite the fact that it is Halloween and people are looking to get a laugh out of the fearful epidemic, I find it insulting to those who have lost their lives to the virus, those who are battling it, and those who are responsible in the quarantining and treating phase.
Halloween does seem to be a time when we trot out not just the traditionally spooky stuff, but the honestly terrifying things about our culture and humanity.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said here, Caroline. Halloween does tend to bring the worst in our culture. A costume like the Ebola hazmat suit also shows the extreme differences in world culture. While part of the world is fighting the disease and loosing thousands of people to it, another part is treating it like a joke, and spending $50 to $60 to make it.
ReplyDeleteThe most frightening thing about this Halloween season doesn't just include spooky ... hazmatsuithalloween.blogspot.com
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