Early 2020 coverage of coronavirus risk and travel

■ The pieces

• CNN (via KVIA, CNN byline): As the coronavirus spreads, fear is fueling racism and xenophobia (Jan 31, 2020)https://kvia.com/news/us-world/2020/01/31/as-the-coronavirus-spreads-fear-is-fueling-racism-and-xenophobia/
• New York Times Opinion (Rosie Spinks): Who Says It's Not Safe to Travel to China? (Feb 5, 2020)https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/05/opinion/china-travel-coronavirus.html

■ What they show

In late January 2020 CNN reported that fear of the new coronavirus was fueling racism and xenophobia. On Feb 5 a New York Times opinion piece by Rosie Spinks questioned warnings against travel to China. In mid-February USA Today quoted a top US disease official describing the risk to Americans as 'minuscule' and advising hand-washing over masks. Seen in hindsight, the pieces show how early coverage understated the coming pandemic.

■ The other side

All three reflected official US guidance and the very low case counts at the time. The CNN piece reported real incidents of anti-Asian harassment.

■ Why it's here

This exhibit is filed under Subversion, not graded as a lie. What subversion means →