August 7, 2020 | less than a minute read

Clear Communication Through COVID-19

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Jessica D'Amico

Global Marketing Specialist

Get in touch

Jessica D'Amico

Global Marketing Specialist

What's in a name? COVID? Coronavirus? Corona? Are these all the same thing? What's CARES? PPE? NIH? The standardization of language matters, especially these days, when it seems we're learning new phrases and new acronyms daily.

The Associated Press has an official style guide that can help you keep track of how to correctly write words and phrases. They even have a special guide on their website specifically for all things COVID-19.

The AP Stylebook might sound like it's for word nerds and grammar obsessives, but when writing about new incidents like COVID-19, it's handy to have a fact sheet to ensure clear communication in your writing.

Referring to simply the coronavirus is acceptable on first reference in stories about COVID-19. While the phrasing incorrectly implies there is only one coronavirus, it is clear in this context. Also acceptable on first reference: the new coronavirus or the new virus for the virus; COVID-19 for the disease caused by the virus.