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Original poster

Storms and tsunamis and such terms.

58 replies

Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 17:20

So at two separate conferences in Scotland and Wales we have warning of a storm coming and a Tsunami of cases coming.

Why can't politicians use better terms instead of deliberately fearmongerng or just being factual.

It's nearly as bad as the often used one "on their knees".

OP posts:
Original poster
Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 22:12

Never mind we are facing waves

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 17/12/2021 22:46

They are not”fear mongering” but using graphic language to convey the seriousness of the situation.

HTH

Original poster
Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 22:59

Not really it's silly language and isnt accurate

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 17/12/2021 23:03

It’s metaphorical?

Original poster
Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 23:09

They shouldn't be using metafores.

They should be using correct terms

OP posts:
borntobequiet · 17/12/2021 23:11

@Againstmachine

Not really it's silly language and isnt accurate
It’s figurative language and is entirely appropriate in this instance, which is during a pandemic that has resulted in the deaths of over a hundred thousand people in this country alone, hospitalised many more and is set to get worse.
rightsideoftheroad · 17/12/2021 23:14

@borntobequiet but it hasn't though, has it? Deaths counted 28 days after a positive result, and most hospitalizations are with pre existing conditions. It absolutely is fear mongering.

Bubblty · 17/12/2021 23:15

@Againstmachine

They shouldn't be using metafores.

They should be using correct terms

What "correct term" would you suggest?
noblegiraffe · 17/12/2021 23:22

A shitshow of cases.

Kokeshi123 · 17/12/2021 23:23

"Large increase" "sudden increase" "rapid growth" etc?

Sorry, but the OP has a point. The use of deliberately hysterical language has been a problem in this pandemic; it is desensitizing people, for one thing. And in those instances where the description turns out to be exaggerated (which it has on several occasions), it damages trust in the authorities and in public health.

Original poster
Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 23:42

What "correct term" would you suggest

Large increase in cases ect.

This is deliberately chose fear language. Use proper language.

OP posts:
Serenschintte · 17/12/2021 23:46

I think we are in the grip of a collective hysteria. This is why such language is accepted. Covid is very unpleasant for sure. People are definitely dieing from it or in part from it. But it’s not the killer it’s made out to be for many many people.

Bubblty · 17/12/2021 23:46

Ok I see what you're saying. How do you differentiate large and massively huge?

Original poster
Againstmachine · 17/12/2021 23:54

With actual figures.

OP posts:
JanglyBeads · 17/12/2021 23:56

No one has ever said that it’s going to kill most, or even a large percentage of people who get it.

But it will make many ill. And kill many more than flu usually does.

mibbelucieachwell · 18/12/2021 00:10

I agree. And for anyone who has suffered from an actual tsunami it must be highly offensive.

FruHagen · 18/12/2021 00:19

Totally agree. It's absolutely creating fear in people. I expect that causes a lot of health problems too.

Less emotive language would be more appropriate, for example - "large numbers of cases" not "tsunami of cases".

I presume they want us all to understand tsunami means overwhelm and overwhelm means the NHS will collapse under the sheer numbers.

Charles11 · 18/12/2021 00:44

It’s intentionally done to create fear and manipulate us.

refraction · 18/12/2021 02:17

Its fear and scare and any other mongering that should be banned. Awful phrase and often not true.

milkyaqua · 18/12/2021 03:41

They are talking of reaching up to one million new cases of covid every day by the end of this month.

How would you describe that? A soupçon? A flutter?

PAFMO · 18/12/2021 05:48

@Againstmachine

With actual figures.
The actual figures are everywhere As you can see, from this thread alone, people like to deny the actual figures are real. (The "of/with"trope) "Fearmongering" is figurative language as well btw.
Beadebaser · 18/12/2021 06:46

@Againstmachine

The term ‘deliberate fearmongering’ is also emotive, and sounds like an attempt to downplay Omicron. To put that message in people’s minds is far more dangerous because you are encouraging others to go against the consensus of medical global thought on Omicron.

Omicron has been designated a variant of concern, which is why governments globally are putting in preventative measures.

The terms you’ve picked up on are an attempt to inform communities of the severity of the situation, and why preventative measures are needed.
The term ‘deliberate fearmongering’ - that you’ve used - is encouraging others not to listen to medical advice.

Beadebaser · 18/12/2021 06:51

So I’ll put that back to you - why can’t you use a better term than ‘deliberate fearmongering’?

Beadebaser · 18/12/2021 06:58

And if you’re talking about factual terms - I’d say ‘tsunami beginning to hit’ is more factually accurate than the term ‘deliberate fearmongering’.

PAFMO · 18/12/2021 07:05

@Beadebaser

So I’ll put that back to you - why can’t you use a better term than ‘deliberate fearmongering’?
Fair point well made.