To Capitalize or Not to Capitalize: The Question about ‘Covid’
One of the questions that has arisen in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic is whether or not to capitalize the word ‘Covid.’ Some people argue that it should be capitalized, while others believe it should remain in lowercase. So, what is the correct way to handle the capitalization of this term?
The argument for capitalizing ‘Covid’ rests on the fact that it is an acronym. The term ‘Covid’ is short for ‘Coronavirus Disease,’ with the ’19’ representing the year (2019) in which the virus was first identified. Acronyms are typically capitalized, as they are made up of the first letters of a series of words. In this case, ‘Covid’ is an acronym for a specific disease and therefore, should be capitalized.
On the other hand, there are those who argue that ‘Covid’ should not be capitalized. They point out that many other diseases and viruses are not capitalized, such as influenza, malaria, and ebola. In addition, some argue that the standard practice for naming diseases is to use lowercase letters, as is the case with other illnesses and conditions.
Furthermore, there is the argument that the widespread use of ‘Covid’ in lowercase has become the norm in many publications, including news media and official documents. This has led some to argue that it has become accepted to use ‘covid’ in lowercase, regardless of its status as an acronym.
Ultimately, the question of capitalization may come down to style and preference. Different publications and organizations may have their own guidelines for how to handle the capitalization of ‘Covid.’ It is important to be aware of these guidelines when writing or editing documents.
In the end, the decision of whether to capitalize ‘Covid’ may not have a definitive answer. It may ultimately come down to personal preference and the guidelines set forth by individual publications and organizations. As the pandemic continues to evolve, the use of ‘Covid’ and its capitalization may also continue to change. It is important to stay informed and be aware of the current conventions surrounding this term.