Ack! How Justin Bieber might infect Seattle

It's too late for these young ladies. Save yourself. (Getty Images)

Teeny-bop sensation Justin Biebers 2012 tour dates were announced this week, and hes headed to Tacoma on Oct. 9.That means Seattle should stock up on surgical masks, because Bieber fever is extremely contagious and thats not a metaphor about the man-childs stay-in-your-head-all-day crooning.

Scientists say love for the Biebster is more contagious than the measles.

Two University of Ottawa social scientists have applied a scientific model to the mania known as Bieber fever. Using an epidemiology analysis tool called the SIR model, they looked at susceptibility to the illness, infection and recovery.

The conclusion: The only antidote to Bieber fever is boredom and negative media coverage.

From the study, which actually exists:

We analyse the model in both the presence and the absence of media, and show that it has a basic reproductive ratio of 24, making it perhaps the most infectious disease of our time. In the absence of media, Bieber Fever can still propagate. However, when media effects are included, Bieber Fever can reach extraordinary heights. Even an outbreak of Bieber Fever that would otherwise burn out (driven by fans becoming bored within two weeks) can still be sustained if media events are staggered. Negative media can rein in oversaturation, but continuous negative media (the Lindsay Lohan effect)! is the only way to end Bieber Fever.

Let me summarize for you. Constant negative coverage from the media means the worlds youth will eventually recover from their Bieber obsession. Positive coverage means it will spread like a plague.

Dont say I didnt do my part. Without further ado, I give you photographic proof that Justin Bieber is actually an extremely pretty zombie.

Photo credit: By Getty Images, except not exactly...

Visit seattlepi.coms home page for more Seattle news. Contact Amy Rolph at amyrolph@seattlepi.com. Find more of her stories on Twitter via @amyrolph and @bigblog or subscribe to her updates on Facebook.