‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
‘Drought is on the verge of becoming the next pandemic’
sigh... a drought can't be a pandemic because it's not a disease. ffs, is there nobody literate in journalism anymore?
if drought is on the verge of becoming widespread and devastating, just say that.
Ok, Mr. Literal.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Literal_and_figurative_language
even used figuratively, it's bad writing for the reason i explained. this isn't some high school essay; it's a headline in a well-regarded, internationally-recognized newspaper. this should never have passed editorial muster. it's sloppy.
Words should matter though. The guy you responded too is correct. There is a very big difference in responses to pandemics vs drought. Both can cause upheaval, but that's about where the similarities end.