Is this a scapegoating fallacy?
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Original Question
Is Trump calling the Coronavirus or COVID 19 The "China Virus" a scapegoating fallacy?
A lot of his supporters don't like China, so is he calling it "The China Virus" do deflect any blame or responsibility away from himself in this situation?
Comments on Question
Answers
1I have posted a related question here.
The Scapegoating fallacy is defined as unfairly blaming an unpopular person or group of people for a problem or a person or group that is an easy target for such blame.
The big question is... is this blame fair? I have not heard Trump directly blame China, but as others have suggested, at the very least this appears to be an obvious dog whistle. I think some research is needed here. From what I have read, the vast majority of these viruses are a result of unclean practices found in China's "meat markets." If this is the case, China does need to get their act together and put polices in place to prevent further viruses... one of which will undoubtedly be far worse than coronavirus.
I can appreciate "cultural sensitivity," but just like we (humanists - secular or religious) don't stand for female genital mutilation, we shouldn't stand for practices that can result in the death of millions or even billions of humans.
Personally, I don't think this is scapegoating, but I do have a problem with trying to rename the virus from what it is known by internationally.
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For accuracy, scientists have named the disease COVID-19, and the virus that causes it SARS-CoV-2.