Summary

The article discusses the evolving public and political reactions to the Coronavirus pandemic, highlighting the shift in attitudes from dismissal to heightened concern and the various narratives emerging around the virus's origin and naming.

Abstract

The piece, titled "Coronavirus Clowns," critically examines the changing public perception of the COVID-19 outbreak. Initially met with skepticism and comparisons to the flu, the pandemic has since seen a surge in serious consideration, with former skeptics becoming overly cautious and even zealous about health measures. The article touches on the debate over the appropriate name for the virus, particularly the controversy surrounding terms like "Chinese Virus" and the implications of such labels. It also reflects on the global game of blame, with China and other countries engaging in a struggle to assign responsibility for the virus's spread. The British government's decision to close schools is cited as a significant response to the crisis, while the public's behavior, including panic buying and shaming, is scrutinized. The article concludes by emphasizing the ongoing uncertainty and the need for clear information amidst a flurry of misinformation and changing strategies.

Opinions

The author criticizes the polarized reactions to the pandemic, from initial dismissal to extreme caution, likening the shift to that of reformed smokers becoming puritans.
There is a clear opinion that the debate over the virus's name, particularly the term "Chinese Virus," is both racist and a distraction from the real issues.
The piece suggests that the global community, including China, is engaged in a game of pinning blame rather than focusing on collaborative solutions.
The author takes a dim view of the media and public's tendency to forget past information and accept the latest narrative without critical examination.
There is skepticism about the reliability of information provided by various sources, including governments and media outlets, as evidenced by the changing stories about the virus

Coronavirus Clowns

Pursed lips and crossed arms has become the latest identified symptom of the Coronavirus.

The ‘it’s only flu’ brigade have, like reformed smokers, become the new puritans. And like reformed smokers, suddenly luxuriating in the pervasive smell of dog shit (something their ‘filthy’ habit shielded them from), these new zealots are waking up to: and shouting about: all the things that barely weeks before they dismissed as ‘it’s only flu’.

Today’s Viral Load is Fair to Moderate — Please Remain Indoors

Perhaps the last bastion of the ‘it’s only flu’ brigade is the inter-sectional struggle over what the Hong Kong Fluey should be called. Because it is ‘obviously’ racist, and exclusionary, to call it a ‘Chinese Virus’. And offensive to — insert the appropriate word salad — citizens, who happen to be Chinese ….

Not that they are Chinese… in fact they are as — insert nationality here — as you…. etc….

It is almost like St Valentine’s Day all over again… but without Bill Murray.

There is of course a serious point in all of this that is often missed. For the Chinese (in China) are playing the same game. And the game is pin the blame on the donkey.

While you are blindfolded, and staggering about, please forget everything, and just accept that where-ever the blame is randomly placed today, that is the truth.

So that when the Chinese say they gave the genetic code to whoever in early January — which in turn led to the ‘revelation’ that it may have been ‘engineered’ — (or not) — well that is just wrong. Because they actually coughed up a sample later in the month. Which showed it came from (or didn’t) bats, and/or Pangolins (or didn’t) because it may (or may not) have come from vaping at the Military games in November (or didn’t). But rest assured (or not) that it came about (or didn’t) from the insanitary conditions in the wet market in Wuhan. Which may (or may not) have been selling ‘meat’ supplied by workers from the Wuhan Lab.

In short it is unfair to call it a ‘Chinese Virus’ because it did (or didn’t) come from China and it offends Chinese people elsewhere… who may (or may not) be Chinese.

Stand back…. further…. you should be safe about there…. yes you’re right lady, that is a very nice looking crystal ball… and just the right size… to gaze into the future….. and see the new outbreak in China blamed on ‘filthy Chinese’ returning from overseas, and on the resumption of Chinese face-mask, protective clothing and drug production in their heroic efforts to save the ‘round-eye’.

Meanwhile, in Britain the government have finally decided to close the schools, from Friday… until further notice.

Which has further provoked the pursed lips and arms folded afflicted to purse harder and fold tighter… risking both their amygdala and their blood pressure.

The latest wheeze is ‘shaming’ bulk shoppers…. with a particular emphasis on the purchase of bog-roll. Another target is the price gougers. Because it’s just not fair. Well maybe… or people have noticed the phrase ‘…until further notice.’

You know like the people who weeks ago worked out what ‘…until further notice,’ might mean, and started PrEPing.

But don’t worry…

It’s just flu…

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Previous posts…

March

March 1st — Coronavirus Comes to Town

March 2nd — Coronavirus by Numbers

March 3rd — Coronavirus Bombshell

March 4th — Coronavirus Hoax

March 5th — Coronavirus Like AIDS (Sort Of Like)

March 6th — Coronavirus: Is it Time to Kill Dogs?