Is it possible to use a given term and then realize after the fact that it wasn't appropriate? Happens all the time.
I don't mean to pretend that all media entities/members are saints, obviously they are not, and there is rampant incompetence and corruption in the media, much like any profession or institution. But it's not incompatible to at one point use a given term and later decide that isn't an appropriate thing to say.
And that's not touching on the fact that the situation *now* is very different than it was 2-3 months ago. Using "Chinese" or "Wuhan" 3 months ago would've made more sense, because at that time the virus was largely isolated (geographically) to China, so there is value in that language. Now the virus is geographically everywhere, so the value in using that term to describe the virus from a geographic standpoint isn't there anymore (other than to describe its origin). Situations change.
I don't understand why people changing their behavior or evolving is considered a negative in every instance.
I'm sure a lot of media members used that term initially, were told it wasn't a great look, and changed their behavior. No one would have an issue with the president or other politicians if they did the same.
If Trump said the following I would be appeased:
"In the past I have used the term "Chinese" to describe the Corona virus. While COVID did originate in China, the virus now exists across the world. Although it was not my intent, I can understand how specifically describing it as a "Chinese" virus could create racial animus among certain people. Moving forward I will refer to the virus as "COVID" or "Corona". With that said, the Chinese government acted in corrupt and malicious ways at various stages of this pandemic, and my administration will be addressing their wrongdoing at an appropriate time".
