Donald Trump stubbornly calls COVID-19 the “Chinese virus,” and one of the White House staff members dubbed the disease “kung fu flu.” According to CGTN, despite criticism and accusations of inciting xenophobia when it would be necessary to unite the Americans, the president insists that ethnic attachment is legitimate, because the coronavirus is “native to China.”
At first he blamed the Democrats.
DONALD TRUMP, US President: This is their new duck. But you know, we did something amazing. In our vast country, only 15 people have become infected.
He then suggested that it was probably just the flu.
DONALD TRUMP: We have recorded 11 deaths. For the most part, these are elderly people, they are at risk in the current conditions. But I suppose the same situation is with ordinary flu.
But now the US president has taken a new approach and has called the COVID-19 pandemic the “Chinese virus.” Over the past three days, Trump has pointedly used this term several times in his publications on Twitter, and then after a few more hours said that he does not see anything reprehensible in that name.
DONALD TRUMP: I call this virus by its place of origin – it appeared in China, therefore, as for me, this is a very accurate term.
Both the leading Chinese epidemiologist and the WHO disagree with this statement.
Zhong Nanshan, head of the special commission to combat the epidemic of the State Health Committee of the PRC: COVID-19 was first discovered in Wuhan, but this does not mean that it appeared in Wuhan. This is a scientific question. As research progresses, we can find the answer to it. To draw hasty conclusions without relying on facts is irresponsible.
MARK RYAN, Head of WHO Emergency Management: Now the most important thing for us is to understand what specific measures should be taken in order to quickly and confidently advance in the fight against a pandemic, as well as to avoid the incitement to associate this virus with any ethnic and other associations.
In addition to voiced doubts about the origin of the virus, Democrats also accused Trump of inciting racism. Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden called Trump’s remarks “xenophobic,” and Hillary Clinton said the leader’s attempt to divert attention from her own blunders.
Major American media outlets have also criticized Donald Trump. In its article, NBC News compared the president’s remarks with his past statements that unflatteringly describe Mexicans. And The Washington Post published an article in the Opinion section of Democratic Rep. Ted Lew (entitled “Trump stirs up xenophobic panic in times of crisis.” InoTV)
Amid widespread criticism, Asian Americans talk about how they faced racial hatred attacks because some people think China is to blame for the virus.
Jiang Feng Tweet: “Came out to take out the trash. I speak Chinese on the phone. A man walks along the sidewalk. To maintain the recommended distance between us, I say: “Sorry, could you please go ahead.” In response: “The Chinese, so that you …” He said it so loudly that he even shouted my interlocutor by telephone. I even turned to look at him to make sure I heard right“.
Some people believe that in such an atmosphere, the president’s comments do not really help reduce the widespread tension. For example, a CBS News correspondent quoted one of the White House employees — his name is unknown — who called the coronavirus “kung fu flu.”
However, the president is not going to change his position.
JOURNALIST: One White House employee used the term kung fu flu.
DONALD TRUMP: Kung Fu Flu?
JOURNALIST: Yes, Kung Fu Flu. I would like to ask: do you think that the use of such names, such as the “Chinese virus,” threatens Asian Americans? Will people begin to show aggression towards them because of this?
DONALD TRUMP: Not. Not at all. They would probably absolutely agree with that name. This virus comes from China, there is nothing to disagree with.
Only here the reality looks very different. Many other Internet users also talk about how they personally faced racial insults. Analysts comment: Instead of trying to bring people together during the crisis, the Trump administration is doing exactly the opposite.
Air Date: March 18, 2020.
–
