crfriend » Mon Mar 15, 2021 12:35 pm
This particular pathogen has a name of its own, "SARS-CoV-2" (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome, Corona-Virus 2) which describes what it is, although it's better known by "COVID-19" (COronaVIrus Disease 19, from the year it was first observed).
Yes, and that is what we should have said from the outset.
Regardless of linguistic rationalizations one may employ to minimize or contend the labeling of a well-known controversial item is anything but an unnecessary slur to foster more discontent, is in my mind at minimum insensitivity -- something folks in this forum should be quite cognizant of.
Lots of phrases when seen only as the words themselves, may appear innocent, but their context, coding, and the implications that are clearly known should be avoided if you wish to encourage cooperative relationships rather than "wars". Fred, I should have used less inflammatory language than "hate speech" to make my point. The comments that followed from our fellow MIS members confirms how incautious use of known hot-button phrases can cause injury--as did mine, and yours -- we can do better.