Sen. Ben Cardin Benjamin (Ben) Louis CardinPPP application window closes after coronavirus talks deadlock Congress eyes tighter restrictions on next round of small business help Senate passes extension of application deadline for PPP small-business loans MORE (D-Md.), a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, is calling on Secretary of State Mike Pompeo Michael (Mike) Richard PompeoUS reimposes UN sanctions on Iran amid increasing tensions Sunday shows preview: Justice Ginsburg dies, sparking partisan battle over vacancy before election Trump steps up Iran fight in final election stretch MORE and other State Department officials to stop using the term “Wuhan virus” or “Chinese virus” to refer to COVID-19.

“I am obliged to point out that referring to this global pandemic by anything other than its appropriate, medical names is unhelpful at best, and at worst risks inflaming stereotypes, fear, and xenophobia in the face of a health crisis,” Cardin wrote in a Tuesday letter.

Cardin noted his dual role as the special representative on anti-Semitism, racism and intolerance for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe.

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“The identification of disease with national origin, ethnic group, or religion took on a more sinister character as one of a number of rationalizations for displacement, ethnic cleansing, and even genocide,” he wrote.

Cardin noted that Nazi propaganda films collected at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum blamed Polish Jews for the spread of typhus.

He also pointed to a photo captured by a Washington Post reporter last week that showed the phrase “Corona Virus” was edited to say “Chinese Virus” in the notes for public remarks from President Trump Donald John TrumpBiden leads Trump by 36 points nationally among Latinos: poll Trump dismisses climate change role in fires, says Newsom needs to manage forest better Jimmy Kimmel hits Trump for rallies while hosting Emmy Awards MORE.

“The tone you and your senior staff set for the men and women of the State Department is crucial; U.S. diplomatic credibility abroad must not be compromised by the irresponsible use of the term ‘Wuhan virus,’” Cardin admonished Pompeo.

He asked the secretary to be “mindful” and use “only the recognized names for COVID-19 an the virus that causes the disease: SARS-CoV-2.”