Fear does more harm than an epidemic

Spanish cucumbers are not responsible for the outbreak of the potentially fatal E. coli bacteria, but the unfounded warning that they were has taken an immense economic toll, writes the business paper Hospodářské noviny: "We still don't know what caused the epidemic. But we do know who the victims are: Spain, cucumbers and organic food. Cucumber salad has been dropped from Europe's menus, not a soul buys vegetables from Spain and the term 'organic food' is now inextricably bound up with bacteria. The question is: is it reasonable to risk such damage in the name of precaution? A mere suspicion has caused serious economic problems and threatens to drastically reduce the exports of a country with a population of 40 million. And then it turns out there was nothing in the allegations. ... Worries over human health are justified. But we exaggerate with our precautions. Fear is a bigger threat than the risk itself."

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