Constructed Ethos and Kairotic Responses in Communicating About the COVID-19 Pandemic to the Chinese Public: A Rhetorical Analysis of Dr. Wenhong Zhang’s Posts on WeChat

Abstract

ABSTRACT Amidst the panic, fear, and uncertainty during the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Wenhong Zhang emerges as a go-to source for the Chinese public to seek information to protect themselves and find hope and order in their distress. Focusing on Dr. Zhang’s 39 WeChat posts from January 2020 to March 2022, this case study reveals that he employs a constructed ethos and leverages WeChat as a powerful social media to craft the kairotic responses to the pandemic.