January 2022
The Scrivener, English Test for Lawyers: Fall Semester 2021
SC Lawyer
Reprinted with permission
- What is the correct spelling of the coronavirus that has shut down courts, schools, and businesses around the world for the past two years.
(A) Covid-19
(B) COVID-19
(C) Covid 19
ANSWER
(A) Covid-19 or (B) COVID-19
"COVID" is an acronym: "CO" stands for "corona"; "VI" for "virus"; "D" for "disease." "19" is the year it was discovered. See www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/faq.html#Coronavirus-Disease-2019-Basics.
(B) is the spelling used by The Centers for Disease Control (CDC), the World Health Organization, the Modern Language Association's MLA Handbook, Chicago Manual of Style, and Merriam-Webster Dictionary, and most courts. However (A) is also used by other respected authorities and courts.
