Statistically, flying on a 737MAX is safer than driving – by such a huge margin that it isn’t even funny.
The news cycle, on the other hand, is feeding hysteria because clicks. Seriously, more people die driving to and from the airport than they do on planes. By a huge margin. But because they’re spread out into multiple tiny events…
I know, I was just kidding, of course. OTOH, for some unknown reason I’m slightly afraid of traveling by plane (generally speaking), so I avoid reading about these stuff at all. These “news” only enhance my irrational fear.