Thread by @soychicka

How cute that people are starting to report on the Trump admin's intention to infect the US population with COVID now - when their language use made it patently clear that was the strategy all along.

politico.com/news/2020/12/1…

Full disclosure - when I heard that most were subject to only 'mild' symptoms, I thought this strategy should be considered.

"Mild" means something just about everyone can tolerate, if not handle with ease.

Like mild salsa and Muzak.

It may suck, but doesn't hurt you.

But, IMO, mild symptoms mean a runny nose, not difficulty breathing and persistent, chronic fatigue months later.

What were framed as "mild" symptoms - especially by members of the medical community on cable news - helped Trump push his narrative.

When it became clear that young, otherwise healthy individuals, like @MaraGay were suffering serious illness for extended periods of time, it became clear that "mild" was inappropriately being used, and that on-screen doctors were serving as vectors for Trump's disinformation.

So, please - when you're talking about illness, think about your audience, and the preconceptions they share. What might be a 'mild case' relative to a critical case is not the same as a 'mild' to the general population.

And when the long-term effects of exposure are unknown - i.e., the elevated risk of blood clots and strokes, even in otherwise 'mild' cases - it's unreasonable to label any cases with a word that can be perceived as insignificant.

baptisthealth.net/baptist-health…