It’s very important that we are always accurate in how we use terminology.
Words matter. Yes? Yes.
So let’s get something straight here: COVID-19 is not the name of the virus. SARS-CoV-2 is the name of the virus. COVID-19 is the terminology for the severe lung issues some people get.
“SARS” stands for Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome.
“CoV” stands for Corona Virus.
“2” is to differentiate it from the 2003 outbreak of a different coronavirus strain that ALSO caused severe lung issues.
“COVID-19” refers specifically to the lung complications experienced by SOME people infected with SARS-CoV-2.
Since most people infected with SARS-CoV-2 do NOT get COVID-19, perhaps we should start demanding that journalists and news reporters use more accurate terminology.
It’s all explained quite well here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it
Here’s the irony: “From a risk communications perspective, using the name SARS can have unintended consequences in terms of creating unnecessary fear for some populations, especially in Asia which was worst affected by the SARS outbreak in 2003. “
For that reason and others, WHO has begun referring to the virus as ‘the virus responsible for COVID-19’ or ‘the COVID-19 virus’ when communicating with the public.”
So .. they were avoiding “unnecessary fear?”
Ok, we’ve stopped laughing and we’re wiping away a few tears because we laughed that hard.
That decision by the WHO is about as helpful as “the artist formerly referred to as “Prince.’ ”