Trump calls coronavirus 'Chinese Virus'

US President Donald Trump has controversially labeled the coronavirus (COVID-19) 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 playing to his base by appearing to lay the blame for the 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.

So far, the US has had more than 4,600 confirmed cases of the virus and there have been 79 known deaths from the infection.

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.

Source: Daily Mail Online

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