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> The common name for the virus is Wuhan virus. Except the common name for the virus is _not_ wuhanvirus. This simple fact destroys your entire point. The vi
by jlmorton 7y ago
> The common name for the virus is Wuhan virus.
Except the common name for the virus is _not_ wuhanvirus. This simple fact destroys your entire point.
The virus is overwhelmingly known as coronavirus, and less known by it's official WHO designation SARS-CoV-2, or the illness it causes, Coronavirus disease.
It's true that we sometimes refer to novel pathogens by their first known origin, but it's hardly a general rule. We don't call SARS foshanvirus, and we don't call H1N1 American flu. If you used any of these names, no one would know what you're talking about.
It's not particularly strange for the public to refer to a novel virus by it's original location, but it is extremely strange when people want to redefine the common name as location-based when it's already widely known by a different, more distinguishing name.
Your point is that the thoughtpolice are out in full force to redefine our language in politically correct terms. But that's not what's happening at all. The entire world already knows the virus by an altogether different name, and it is you out to redefine it by its location, a less distinguishing feature.
- burfog 7y agoCoronavirus is a less distinguishing name. There are many types of coronavirus, including SARS and MERS. There are types of coronavirus that are only in animals. Here is the media prior to the thoughtpolice, using the common name: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LT_up3ltqo https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LT_up3ltqo
- jlmorton 7y agoThe WHO has already named the virus SARS-CoV-2, which perfectly distinguishes it. Commonly, the pathogen is referred to as coronavirus. As I said, I don't have any particular problem with naming a virus after its location. I think it's natural to do so when a novel pathogen arises in a particular area. But that doesn't mean we have to. Billions around the world are calling it simply coronavirus, the WHO has named it SARS-CoV-2, and its only your small group of right wing activists that are bizarrely insisting we rename the virus. You are the thoughtpolice.
- burfog 7y agoLinnaeus has already named the animal Bos taurus, which perfectly distinguishes it. Commonly, the animal is referred to as livestock. ... No, we're going to call it "cow".
- jlmorton 7y agoI think it's pretty clear why you are insisting on calling this disease wuhanvurus and have no major complaint about H1N1. It is pathetically transparent and not a great look.