‘Live alongside’ a virus. The simple, lethal appeal of the metaphors used by spin merchants. To unpack this…

‘Live alongside’ a virus. The simple, lethal appeal of the metaphors used by spin merchants. To unpack this one, how do you live ‘alongside’ a virus? Does it sit on the seat next to you on the bus? Can you wave at it in the next aisle of the supermarket? /1 #auspol #covid19aus https://t.co/UlmOueABy4

Of course the reality is, viruses live *inside* us. So the only way to live alongside them is to be next to an infected person, who will then likely infect you. Sydney tried a version of alongside, by trying to ring-fence the poor out West, so that the wealthier East could…/2

…live relatively Covid-free ‘alongside’ the infected Western suburbs. The virus of course leaked out, because LGA boundaries are just lines on a map. Covid welcomes living alongside us, as pirates welcome coming alongside a boat they’re about to board and ransack. /end