Donald Trump
The US President, Donald Trump has been described as a racist as he labeled the coronavirus as the Chinese Virus.
He referred in a tweet, which has triggered another backlash as the two nations continue to clash over the origin of the virus outbreak.
Instead of calling the disease by its designated name –COVID-19, Trump’s tweet seems to be putting the entire blame on China, as the world struggles to deal with the pandemic.
On his twitter handle, (@realDonaldTrump), Trump said “The United States will be powerfully supporting those industries, like Airlines and others, that are particularly affected by the Chinese Virus. We will be stronger than ever before.”
Trump’s labelling of the virus as such stems from the fact that it was first reported in Wuhan, China, in Dec. 2019, however, it has now spread to various other countries worldwide.
Despite the fact, World Health Organization does not attach geographic names to diseases or ‘terms that incite undue fear’.
The tweet was vehemently criticized, as people accused him of turning to ‘racism’ in a time of crisis.
Many officials, slammed the usage of the phrase as inaccurate and potentially harmful in promoting racist associations between the virus and those from China.
Trump said “And I hate bringing more attention to the fact that he said Chinese virus… but I’d like us to continue to look out for our Asian brothers and sisters who are experiencing attacks against them because people are assuming they have the virus because they are Chinese.
Meanwhile, reactions have been trailing the tweet that is considered to be racist in nature, (@ajRAFAEL) Mr. President: This is not acceptable. Calling it the “Chinese virus” only instigates blame, racism, and hatred against Asians – here and abroad. We need leadership that speaks clearly against racism; Leadership that brings the nation and world together. Not further divides.
Everyevery.ng gathered that another twitter user (@EugeneCho) said ‘If you’re looking for someone to pin this crisis on, try the guy who made up a phony Google website or promised testing kits that he STILL hasn’t delivered.
Our Asian-American communities — people YOU serve — are already suffering. They don’t need you fueling more bigotry.
Also, (@NYCMayor) tweetedTrump just tweeted “Chinese virus” Say hello to 25 years of Asian American kids taking hell for no sin of their own. He knows exactly what he’s doing.
Meanwhile, 3,500 confirmed cases of the illness were reported in the US as of Monday night.