Sir, – Donald Trump and others were roundly criticised last year for calling Sars-CoV-2 the “China virus”. The slur angered many due to its racist tone, and despite some persistence by the former US president, the label did not stick.
However, six months on, mainstream media appear comfortable with terms like the South African strain, the UK variant and the Brazilian mutation. Such labels suggest blame. These deadly strains (501.V2, B.1.1.7 and P.1) were discovered because of competence in genetic testing – not dereliction of responsibility.
It’s time to change the labels. – Yours, etc,
TREVOR YOUNG,
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Limerick.