The Problematic Language of “Beating” Covid-19

In a new story in The Atlantic, writer Ed Yong critiques the metaphors that Trump and others use when talking about Covid-19. Sentiments praising Trump’s strength have filled social media by his supporters, including the hashtag #TrumpStrong. Yong says this has long been the way people talk about disease, and it’s less helpful than people may think. He reports:

Such rhetoric is not unique to Trump. In the Western world, bouts of illness are regularly described as “battles.” Viruses and other pathogens are “enemies” to be “beaten.” Patients are…