On today’s The Province newspaper front page, the headline was wording with “CHINA VIRUS“ in bold instead of Novel Coronavirus. This is very rude and discriminative headline. WHO, Canadian and Provincial authorities are all referring this virus as novel coronavirus. WHO guidelines state that “on naming new human infectious diseases stipulate that the name should not include geographic locations such as cities, countries, regions or continents..”

H1N1 influenza virus was first found in the United States. It is never called American or US virus; Zika virus was first found in Brazil, it is never called Brazilian virus; Ebola virus originated from Congo, it is never called Congo virus. The choice of words calling it China virus is simply wrong and not in accordance with Canadian values, not up to Canadian journalism ethic standard.

We strongly ask The Province to withdraw such wordings, stop calling the novel coronavirus China virus, and make apology to every Chinese in BC.