Well, here we go again. In the midst of having to change the offensive names of school mascots, logos, mountains, towns, creeks and the list goes on and on we now are at risk of contacting another virus. “Monkeypox Goes Global” the headlines read. More concerning, to the powers that be, than the effect of the virus on mankind is the fact that the name is now offensive. After sixty four years since it’s discovery it has now gained the offensive status. It seems researchers have stated there is now an “urgent need” to change the name because the name is racist and discriminatory. The World Health Organization stated that Monkeypox was named before their guidelines against using animal names for diseases. It appears it will possibly be called “hMPXVB.1”. It seems to me numbers must be less offensive than letters. My question is, “Where is this going to end?” If animal names are now offensive will we soon be removing them as our mascots and logos and replacing them with numbers. Calling the Denver Broncos the Denver hMLZK.1 or the Chicago Bulls the Chicago bTSPX.2 seems somewhat offensive to me. Well, I will leave it there for now. I need to saddle my hMLZK.1 and check the bTSPX.2s.
At least, that’s the view here from behind the grindstone.
