pandemic - occurring over a wide geographic area and affecting an exceptionally high proportion of the population
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandemic\
Nope, not a load of crap. It fits the definition.
Your contempt of humanity is noted.
Define “high proportion”?
Oh wait, “high proportion” is a relative form of measurement as opposed to an absolute form of measurement. Thus, you can make “high proportion” mean anything you want which allows you to make the current situation “fit the definition”.
QED.
JoMa