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Why Duterte keeps saying ‘vee-rus’ despite being corrected


President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday addressed criticism that he repeatedly mispronounced the word “virus” in his public speeches.

In a televised address, Duterte said he deliberately called the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) “vee-rus” because he was angry at the unseen enemy, which causes fatal respiratory illness, especially in older people.

“The vee-rus. Sabi nila ‘yung virus. Kinokorek ako, I would like to pronounce it the ‘vee-rus’ kasi galit ako. Sabi ko, ‘Saan itong vee-rus na ito?’ he said. “Ganun na lang, tawag ko sa kanya kasi galit ako vee-rus.”

In his speech, Duterte also said that COVID-19 was an airborne disease.

“Lumilipad 'yan everywhere especially in cramped and not well-ventilated places. So you run the risk of going home, giving it to your children, and then your children the next day will play with other children.” he said.

“We cannot really control the contagion perfectly.”

However, experts, including the World Health Organization, said COVID-19 is generally spread through droplets in the air due to sneezing or coughing.

 

 

The Philippines has so far reported 142 cases, including 12 deaths, as of Monday, according to the Department of Health. --JST, GMA News

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