Virus emergency moniker 'manbo' criticized for lightheartedness

The name is stupid, yet whining about it is too. It ain't gonna hurt your city or restaurant's image. Chill.

This was so obvious a messaging problem that I pointed it out four days ago. Yahoo Japan news was already full of trying-to-be-clever マンボ comments. An English equivalent might be people calling Covid "Kung Flu" last year.

https://japantoday.com/category/national/restaurants-hotels-disappointed-at-stricter-covid-19-steps

Please note that I am as sick of hearing about Covid-19 as everyone else. My problem is not with people seeking some light relief. It is with government's bumbling that is making this go on and on and wearing us all down.

Actually, using the manbo symbol for anti-disease measures is historically accurate.

The Wakayama City Museum has in their collection a woodblock print of a manbo fish from the Edo era which was inscribed with terms calling for "Epidemic elimination" due to a plague of sorts that was affecting them at the time.

The museum had it on display twice in the past year, and in reference to the newly-coined-but-actually accurate "manbo" anti-corona measures, they put it back on display.

So in a way, that town in Miyagi needs to realize there is a historical precedent for using the term "manbo" (though probably a coincidence)

See it here:

https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/local/wakayama/news/20210405-OYTNT50012/amp/

Been diving with these magnificent fish. Still get upset when see them in the supermarket. Would never associate with SARS.

Agreed @kohakuebisu 8:43am

*-“ ...problem is not with people,...it’s with government's bumbling that is making this go on & on and wearing us all down.” -*

Agreed. - “Please note: sick of hearing about Covid-19 as everyone else.” -

*- “pointed it out 4 days ago. Yahoo Japan news was already full of trying-to-be-clever マンボ comments. An English equivalent might be people calling Covid "Kung Flu" last year.” - https://japantoday.com/category/national/restaurants-hotels-disappointed-at-stricter-covid-19-steps*