Trump calls coronvirus the ‘Chinese Virus’ as he vows to protect American businesses including airlines from the economic fallout from the crisis
Donald Trump has controversially labeled the coronavirus the ‘Chinese Virus’ in a tweet in which he promised to protect American industry from the economic crisis caused by the pathogen.
Instead of calling the deadly disease which has killed 6,500 worldwide by its designated name COVID-19, the president risked accusations of racism by appearing to lay the blame for the deadly virus at Beijing’s door.
Despite the fact that the virus is believed to have originated in Wuhan, China, the World Health Organization does not attach geographic names to diseases or ‘terms that incite undue fear’.
This comes after Trump faces accusations he is losing control of the situation and released a series of sweeping guidelines that for the next 15 days will temporarily rewrite the norms of American society.
Trump, employing a newly somber tone about the crisis enveloping the globe, urged all older Americans to stay home and everyone to avoid crowds and eating out at restaurants. The president for the first time acknowledged that the pandemic may send the economy into a recession and suggested that the nation may be dealing with the virus until ‘July or August.’
The guidelines were released to an uneasy country. The stock market had its worst day since 1987, America’s largest school system shut its doors and questions remained about the administration’s ability to test for the virus and provide hospital space for those who fall ill.
Donald J. Trump, with members of the coronavirus Task Force delivers remarks during a briefing at the White House
Among the new recommendations: Over the next half month, Americans should not gather in groups of more than 10 people, schooling should be at home and discretionary travel and social visits should be avoided. If anyone in a household tests positive for the virus, everyone who lives there should stay home. The administration did not say how old people should be to follow the advice to stay home.
‘We will rally together as one nation and we will defeat the virus,’ Trump said. ‘We can turn the corner and turn it quickly.’