• jeffw@lemmy.worldOPM
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    6 months ago

    I believe mpox was, sadly, renamed because racists and their use of “monkey”. I think that was more the issue over men who have sex with men. “Ringworm” isn’t a slur though lol

    • Drusas@kbin.run
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      6 months ago

      That hadn’t occurred to me. I assumed it was relating gay men to monkeys that was the problem. You’re probably right, though.

      • Drusas@kbin.run
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        6 months ago

        It’s not a slur; it’s just stigmatizing. “I’ve got a skin infection” will get a lot less of a negative reaction than “I’ve got ringworm” would. Parasites give people the heebie jeebies.