Although I do not find the death of Brazilian model Mariana Bridi’s death news worthy compared to other developing issues (President Obama’s stimulus plan, Israel-Palestine conflict, etc), the continued and developing coverage of the story was fascinating nevertheless. The news media covered Bridi’s health condition every hour, and I truly felt the pain and sorrow of her and her family as news that doctors were forced to amputate her hands and legs streamed across the world.
The moment to moment reporting began when Bridi’s health deteriorated after complications from a generalized infection began to take toll. Although there was a thread of optimism in the air, the news of the blood infection septicaemia made this a life or death struggle. When the news media outlets reported the amputation of her hands, legs, and portion of her stomach to save her life, I could not but feel the serious struggle Bridi was going through. Sure, I never knew this person before, but amputation of several body parts in order to survive made me care about the person as I worried whether or not she was going to live and also how she is going to continue her life after several serious medical procedures.
Unfortunately, Bridi died despite medical efforts. Many in Brazil and around the world are mourning her death. She had a bright future.
