Epidemics and Rage

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENTYou have a preview view of this article while we are checking your access. When we have confirmed access, the full article content will load.

Societies have always struggled with hostile reactions to health care workers during epidemics. Why?

Listen · 12:15 min

I’m the host of The World.

July 20, 2026Leer en español

A few weeks ago, I spoke to my colleague Declan Walsh, who was reporting at the epicenter of the Ebola epidemic. One thing that stuck with me was the rage he described toward many of the health workers trying to contain the outbreak.

It reminded me of something I witnessed in Germany during Covid. There, too, anger was often directed at those whose goal was to help. There were weekly protests against restrictions, some of them violent. A gas station attendant was killed when he asked a man to wear a mask.

So what is it about health crises and rage? Today my colleague Sheri Fink explains why anger at health workers is something many societies have struggled with for centuries.

Image

Why epidemics breed rage at health workers

Efforts to contain Ebola in the Democratic Republic of Congo did not begin well. Patients fled a treatment unit after community members set it on fire. Residents assaulted a burial team and forced the crew to turn over a coffin.

We are having trouble retrieving the article content.

Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access. If you are in Reader mode please exit and log into your Times account, or subscribe for all of The Times.

Thank you for your patience while we verify access.

Already a subscriber? Log in.

Want all of The Times? Subscribe.

Advertisement

SKIP ADVERTISEMENT