During the COVID-19 pandemic, some public figures attempted to downplay the virus's danger by comparing its death toll to that of the flu. This rhetorical technique dismissed expert warnings about the virus being a serious threat and portrayed government responses as excessive. While comparisons of death rates can help in allocating resources, they require accurate data and critical assessment. Important questions must be asked regarding the completeness and comparability of the data to avoid misleading narratives.
Downplaying is a rhetorical technique used to make something seem less important or serious, especially in the context of COVID-19 statistics.
The comparisons aimed at dismissing expert claims about the serious threat of COVID-19 and suggesting the response was excessive.
It is crucial to ensure that the numbers being compared are accurate; exaggerations or inaccuracies undermine any death comparisons.
To critically assess death comparisons, one must ask if important information is missing and whether the same standards and reporting practices are applied.
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