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“What is Wrong With You People That You are Happy Someone has Covid†Impoliteness in the Coronavirus Pandemic Era

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  • Jean Mathieu Tsoumou

Abstract

Whilst the coronavirus pandemic keeps threatening the world at large, little is yet known about the impoliteness implications of user-generated- Covid-related contents on social media such as Facebook. The aim of this study is to examine the comments made in response to Giuliani’s Covid- 19 diagnosis, from an impoliteness perspective. A merely qualitative analysis of a dataset of 3,000 comments evenly collected from three different news outlets (i.e., BBC, CNN, Fox News), the findings reveal that the reactions to Giuliani’s diagnosis are more focused on him being a politician, than him being a human being affected by the virus. The reactions attack his actions and the actions of others within his political party, which suggests that impoliteness has a strong dependence on previous actions and political engagement. Giuliani is seen by some users to be undeserving of compassion or empathy not just on the grounds of his active involvement in attempting to overturn the presidential election results, but also for his disregard toward mask wearing in public spheres. Not all the users, however, appreciate the attacks against Giuliani. Through metadiscursive comments, some users not just feel the need to treat Giuliani as a human being, but more importantly remind fellow users that Covid-19 should be a concern for all. What is particularly critical about these metacomments is that while the users advocate for civil interactions, they mostly do not condone Giuliani’s actions. This so because these users understand what should be obligatory, permissible, or forbidden on the human level under the circumstances.

Suggested Citation

  • Jean Mathieu Tsoumou, 2023. "“What is Wrong With You People That You are Happy Someone has Covid†Impoliteness in the Coronavirus Pandemic Era," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:21582440231161040
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231161040
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Mikko Villi & Janne Matikainen, 2016. "Participation in Social Media: Studying Explicit and Implicit Forms of Participation in Communicative Social Networks," Media and Communication, Cogitatio Press, vol. 4(4), pages 109-117.
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