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> to slow a spreading virus like COVID-19 The naming of this thing is such a disaster, even MIT can't get it right. - the virus is called SARS-CoV-2 (like HI
by better_names 7y ago
> to slow a spreading virus like COVID-19
The naming of this thing is such a disaster, even MIT can't get it right.
- the virus is called SARS-CoV-2 (like HIV)
- the disease it causes is named COVID-19 (like AIDS)
- pretty much everyone calls both the virus and the disease coronavirus
- chrisco255 7y agoThat's because COVID-19 looks like a JIRA ticket, and people shudder a bit when they type it out.
- generationP 7y agoIf it's also as slow as one, we're not in danger.
- pbourke 7y agohttps://xkcd.com/2275/ https://xkcd.com/2275/
- JabavuAdams 7y agoIs this causing any actual or damaging confusion? Why care?
- tropo 7y agoCoronavirus is far too vague (there are many coronaviruses) and it gets confused with a type of beer. Those other names, SARS-CoV-2 and COVID-19, are only slightly more readable than sha256 hashes and UUIDs. We also don't need the virus and the disease to have separate names, especially not ones that are so unrelated. The common and original name is "Wuhan virus". That is easy to remember, easy to type, and specific enough. Use it, for better communication.