Table 1 Explanation of the measurement of potentially discriminatory language toward the source of the outbreak in internet searches.
Variable name | Explanation of time period selection |
|---|---|
Potentially discriminatory language in internet searches in the initial stage of the outbreak | A lockdown was imposed on Wuhan at 10:00 a.m. on 23 January 2020, and search volume soared. No guidance for social stigma toward the source of the outbreak. |
Potentially discriminatory language in internet searches before official guidance on the use of discriminatory language | On 29 January 2020, the government began to issue guidance on discriminatory language. CCTV stated, “Regional emphasis (due to infectious diseases) cannot be turned into regional social stigma.” China’s National Health Commission emphasized, “Our common enemy is the disease, not the people of Wuhan.” Official guidance on social stigma toward the source of the outbreak began on January 29, 2020, in the second week of the COVID-19 pandemic. |
Potentially discriminatory language in internet searches after official guidance on the use of discriminatory language | The search volume for “novel coronavirus pneumonia” overtook “Wuhan pneumonia” on 30 January 2020, the day after the new official guidance was issued. |
Potentially discriminatory language in internet searches following the official naming of the disease | On 8 February 2020, the Joint Prevention and Control Mechanism of the State Council temporarily named pneumonia caused by the new coronavirus “novel coronavirus pneumonia” (NCP). After the release of the official name of the new coronavirus, all media were obliged to follow the new name. |
Trends in potentially discriminatory language in internet searches (3-week average) | The 21-day mean of the index of social stigma toward the source of the outbreak |
