The coronavirus outbreak has started a new trend. It is called "caremongering" and started after acts of kindness in Canada. It is from the less positive word "scaremongering". It is not yet known whether the word "caremongering" will stay around long enough to get in future editions of dictionaries. "Caremongering" started after Canadians found new ways of helping vulnerable people. Social media is helping to spread the concept across Canada. Within 72 hours of the word trending, over 35 Facebook groups were set up with more than 30,000 members.
The founder of a caremongering group spoke about the meaning of the name. She told the BBC: "Scaremongering is a big problem. We wanted to switch that around and get people to connect on a positive level, to connect with each other." She added: "Caremongering has spread the opposite of panic in people, brought out community and camaraderie, and allowed us to tackle the needs of those who are at risk." She said: "Anxiety, isolation and lack of hope affects you....This virtual community...is really showing people there is still hope for humanity. We haven't lost our hope."