“Global” pandemic is starting to grate on me.

[BritneyS]

A pandemic is defined as “an epidemic occurring worldwide, or over a very wide area, crossing international boundaries and usually affecting a large number of people”.

“Global” pandemic, “world” pandemic, “worldwide pandemic”, “international” pandemic are all coming across inflammatory and hyperbolic.

“Pandemic” on its own is fine, surely?

How can it be hyperbolic when it's literally true? Or don't you know what hyperbole means either?

You're right.
Not least of all because, as far as I know, it hasn't reached Antarctica.

But that's the media for you.

A pandemic can be spread across either the northern or southern hemisphere (it is about crossing large areas involving international borders). It doesn't have to be worldwide. Covid is worldwide. So global pandemic is true.

COVID is not worldwide, strictly.

@Lweji

COVID is not worldwide, strictly.

Fair point, there will be some populated areas it hasn't affected.

Fair point, there will be some populated areas it hasn't affected.

I have posted a few minutes ago with an entire Continent where it hasn't.

Pandemic can relate to one country, one large area as well as the whole world. So, given that almost every corner of the world is effected, every full time, properly inhabited are of the world is affected, it is neither inflammatory nor hyperbolic.

The word global just tells us that it is not a single country nor a large area, it is indeed, every bloody where - excepting, possibly, Antarctica!

If it ever reaches the International Space Station it will be considered Universal Pandemic.