Sources Say Elderly Woman Allegedly Killed By Fellow Patient After Failing to Maintain “Social Distance”

Janie Marshall of Williamsburg, New York was killed in a hospital after being attacked by a fellow patient.  What provoked the attack?

According to the New York Post, “Her attacker allegedly told a Health and Hospitals Corp. police officer that she did it because Marshall ‘didn’t stay more than 6 feet away’.”  Marshall was in the ER for a medical emergency that was not related to COVID-19.

Marshall was in the emergency room at the city-run Woodhull Medical Center when she was smacked in the face by a 32-year-old patient, who was awaiting psychiatric treatment and got out of her nearby bed to launch the unprovoked attack, sources said.

Marshall was knocked off her feet and cracked her head on the floor shortly after 2 p.m. Saturday, sources said.

The attacker, who has a lengthy arrest record, was charged with disorderly conduct.  Police say those charges will be upgraded since Ms. Marshall passed away.

This may very well be the first death attributable, at least in part, to the hysteria and panic created by our media.  The attacker, who has mental health issues, likely was even more susceptible to panic or paranoia about the virus.

Mainstream media salivates and reports on worst-case scenarios.  They have published tales of tragic death that leave out critical information such as underlying health conditions.

These sensational stories and headlines get clicks and people talking.  They also make people fearful and panicky.  And when people act out of fear and panic, they end up doing really rash and irrational things.  Add pre-existing mental health issues to the mix, and it is a recipe for disaster.

One of the worst parts of this crisis has been trying to sift through media reports and determine fact from fiction.  What is a legitimate concern versus a far-fetched concern that is extremely unlikely to occur?  The lack of trustworthy information is disconcerting.

What a very sad end for Ms. Williams life.  May she rest in peace.