In a matter of weeks, the spread of the coronavirus has become a worldwide crisis, threatening lives and crippling economies. This is a time of unprecedented, unexpected chaos that the developed world is simply not accustomed to dealing with.
In the United States, some have capitalized on the ongoing trauma by viewing everything through a political, partisan lens. Instead of promoting unity among citizens and focusing on what truly matters, certain members of the media are caught up in word games and wild accusations.
Though the respiratory disease was first discovered in Wuhan, China, and linked to an exotic meat market in the city, it is now considered racist by many liberal journalists to label it the “Chinese coronavirus” or the “Wuhan coronavirus.” Any indication of where the illness originated is deemed to be highly inappropriate.
This is nonsense. And many of the same outlets crying racism called it that themselves just a few weeks ago. Our nation is dealing with a growing daily concern, and projections show that the adjustments we’ve already made might continue well into the future. To concentrate on how offensive the name is for a virus that has already caused death around the globe is a waste of time.
This is not the first point in history that China has been the epicenter of a disease that has spread and caused suffering in other nations. It’s worth noting that certain practices have led to the development of these viruses. That their origin is in a country with extensive human rights abuses and secret police-state behavior should not be discounted. However, this does not mean that there should be so much emphasis on either condemning a common description of the virus or defending its usage.
It’s understandable that President Trump and his administration are exceedingly frustrated with the claims of racism and insensitivity in response to the use of “Chinese” or “Wuhan” in press briefings and public addresses. The simple truth is that those descriptors line up with the reality of the situation. To avoid them entirely only removes the blame from those who are at fault. And it is the Chinese government, not the people of Wuhan or the nation itself, that should be held responsible.
At the same time, there is no need to antagonize by labeling COVID-19 something such as the “Kung flu.” This not only makes light of the situation but gives fuel to those who see racism around every corner. In addition, acting as if this illness is in any way similar to the flu is a dangerous idea to spread, as it is far more serious.
In Italy, the death toll from the virus has already surpassed that of China, where it all began. So far, the death rate compared to the rate of infection in the U.S. is much lower. But, despite the containment we’ve seen so far, there is still a very real sense of fear and vulnerability for the days ahead. None of us know how this pandemic will play out. The best that can be done is for each of us take measures to protect our families and the vulnerable populations that surround us, both near and far. This, not whether a description is offensive or not, should be the singular focus.
These arguments won’t do anything to save lives. And, in the end, that is all that matters.
Kimberly Ross (@SouthernKeeks) is a contributor to the Washington Examiner’s Beltway Confidential blog and a columnist at Arc Digital.
