And fear has an advantage over even the most contagious pathogens—people can contract a disease only through contact with other infected individuals, but they can contract fear through contact with either infected individuals or fearful ones.18 We respond to the fear brought on by epidemics in various ways, many of which are directed at asserting control over the threat. For example, people have a tendency to blame others for the disease, which makes them feel like they have some influence over the force that is affecting them. It is more soothing to feel that there is a human agent
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