"Starting from today, we will be removing all Corona Virus related domains from http://DAN.COM .
We're seeing astronomical high prices being asked for these domains and find that unethical and unacceptable. We strongly encourage DAN sellers that own a Corona Virus oriented domain to donate the domain to a charity, government agency or non-profit organization that's involved in battling the virus and misinformation about it."
While I support the decision by DAN, and others, as a good, timely, industry PR move. It also must be said that many charities are hampered, and complain, that the astronomical high prices the domain market puts on short, 3 and 4 letter, domains essentially eliminates them from the top acronym markets.
But nobody is suggesting 'DAN' donate their domain to the Disability Advocacy Network, or a non-profit battling a illness like Diabetic Autonomic Neuropathy... because we believe in the 'free market' when it comes to year-round epidemics like diabetes and disabilities. Not so much, when the spotlight is on a flash-in-the-pan emergent epidemic like COVID. Human nature, perhaps.
Personally, I don't own, and would not buy, any COVID or Coronavirus related domains... partly because of my ethics and partly because I don't see a long-term market... so I am not impacted by the decision(s).
The 'DAN' v COVID irony hit me... as a 'free market' supporter... when it comes to domain names.