Choice of words by experts so important in coronavirus pandemic

The recently resigned acting US Navy Secretary Thomas Modly said one thing that was sensible in the whole row about the sacking of Capain Brett Crozier as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier, USS Theodore Roosevelt, stricken by coronavirus. He admitted after his insulting and morale-deflating address to the crew about their former commanding officer that just as missiles can destroy a warship, so badly chosen words can also damage a ship and its crew. He acknowledged this is what he did when he spoke to the crew and he was deeply sorry. Now almost daily we see and hear officials and experts talking about the dangers posed by coronavirus and all too frequently they speak without thinking of the consequences and repercussions. Some medical or scientific expert here in the UK said yesterday that social distancing would have to run "indefinitely". Did he really mean for ever? The future is queuing outside supermarkets two metres from the next shopper for eternity! Clearly this is rubbish. But he made spectacular headlines everywhere, just in time for everyone to enjoy their Easter weekend. How could he say such a thing? When coronavirus has gone back into its shell, every family is going to embrace, every neighbour will hug, every restaurant will be stuffed with happy people. Social distancing for ever? Forget it. The same goes with all the frightening statistics about deaths. Those wretched computer models upon which governments make their decisions on the lives we are all expected to lead have turned out the worst possible figures. The US modelling said between 100,000 and 240,000 Americans would die. The deaths have been rising alarmingly, but will they really ever reach 240,000? I seriously doubt it. Then there are the real happy ones who predict the economies of the world will be ruined for ever, that the financial crash of 2008 will seem like a blip compared to what is going to happen to the markets and house prices and people's livelihoods for the next 20 years. Instead of predicting gloom and doom, why not tell us something more inspiring. That economies will have a tough few months but then business and trade will bounce back because this is what happens in this world of ours. The crash of 2008 was terrible for many people but the world survived. So please, all you so-called experts, be more optimistic and think before you say something alarmist.