The Verdict [False]
In the term ‘COVID-19’, CO refers to Corona, VI is for virus, D signifies Disease, and 19 stands for the year 2019, when the virus was discovered.
What is the claim?
A video circulating widely on social media claims that the number “19” in COVID-19 stands for artificial intelligence (AI). The text inlay at the top of the video reads, “What does COVID-19 stand for? Certificate Of Vaccination ID. Al Conviently named wouldn’t you say. [sic]” The name “Dr. Lorraine Day” is written at the bottom of the video.
The speaker claims that the COVID-19 virus does not exist and that COVID stands for “Certificate of Vaccination ID.” She claims that the numbers 1 and 9 represent the first and ninth numbers of the alphabet, respectively, spelling out “AI.”
One such post on Instagram (archived here) shared the video with the caption: “Have you ever questioned what COVID-19 really stands for? “Some say it’s just a name, but others believe there’s more to it—Certificate of Vaccination ID… and 19 represents AI. Coincidence or something deeper?” The post has garnered 111,680 likes at the time of writing this fact-check.
Archived versions of similar posts on Instagram and Facebook can be found here, here, here, here, here, here, and here.
However, COVID-19 stands for Corona Virus Disease 19, and the number 19 refers to 2019, the year it was first identified.
Where is the video from?
A reverse image search on the keyframes of the viral clip led us to a longer version of the interview posted on BitChute, a platform known for hosting videos containing far-right commentary and conspiracy theories. The video, titled “AMAZING Interview With Dr. Lorraine Day by Alex Stein of Conspiracy Castle,” was uploaded on January 14, 2021. The segment from the now-viral clip appears between the 12:27 and 12:50 timestamps.
Dr. Lorraine Day was an American doctor who advocated for alternative cancer therapies who passed away in 2023. A review of the full interview on BitChute revealed that it includes multiple false claims about COVID-19 vaccines, such as the narrative that it weakens the immune system and conspiracy theories suggesting that COVID-19 was orchestrated by elites for depopulation. Organizations like AFP have also debunked her claims about COVID-19.
What does ‘COVID-19’ really stand for?
COVID does not stand for “Certificate of Vaccination ID,” as claimed in the post.
The World Health Organization (WHO) explains on its official website that the virus is officially named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), and the disease it causes is COVID-19, previously known as “2019 novel coronavirus.”
The WHO explains that the International Committee on Taxonomy of Viruses (ICTV) names viruses based on their genetic structure to aid in developing diagnostic tests, vaccines, and treatments. On February 11, 2020, it officially named the virus SARS-CoV-2 due to its genetic similarity to the coronavirus responsible for the 2003 SARS outbreak.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) of the United States notes, “The new name of this disease is coronavirus disease 2019, abbreviated as COVID-19. In COVID-19, ‘CO’ stands for ‘corona,’ ‘VI’ for ‘virus,’ and ‘D’ for disease. Formerly, this disease was referred to as ‘2019 novel coronavirus’ or ‘2019-nCoV.'”
COVID-19 exists, evidence shows
The viral video claims that COVID-19 does not exist. However, multiple studies show that the virus has been isolated. The virus has been isolated from two infected patients in Toronto, Canada, and the genomic sequence of each isolate has also been determined, as noted in this study published by the CDC in September 2020.
Multiple other scientists have also independently isolated the virus, and supporting studies are available here, here, here, and here.
Additionally, RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) tests—a widely used diagnostic tool—have repeatedly detected the virus.
The WHO’s COVID-19 dashboard reports that 778 million people worldwide have contracted the virus.
The verdict
COVID-19 stands for Corona Virus Disease 19, and the number 19 refers to the year 2019 when it was first identified. Therefore, we have marked this claim as false.
This article is written by Ankita Kulkarni and republished from Logically Facts. Read the original article here.
Reference Links
Naming the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) and the virus that causes it- WHO – Refutes
How did COVID-19 get it’s name?- CDC – Refutes
Isolation, Sequence, Infectivity, and Replication Kinetics of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2- CDC – Refutes
Phenol-chloroform-based RNA purification for detection of SARS-CoV-2 by RT-qPCR: Comparison with automated systems- PLOS One – Refutes
Isolation and Full-Length Genome Characterization of SARS-CoV-2 from COVID-19 Cases in Northern Italy- American Society for Microbiology – Refutes
Virus Isolation from the First Patient with SARS-CoV-2 in Korea- National Library for Medicine – Refutes
First isolation of SARS-CoV-2 from clinical samples in India- National Library of Medicine – Refutes
Understanding COVID-19 PCR Testing- National Human Genome Research Insititue – Refutes
Effectiveness of tests to detect the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus, and antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, to inform COVID-19 diagnosis: a rapid systematic review- British Medical Journal – Refutes
SARS-CoV-2 detection by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction testing: Analysis of false positive results and recommendations for quality control measures- Science Direct – Refutes
WHO COVID-19 Dashboard – Refutes
What to know about the COVID-19 vaccine and the immune system- Medical News Today – Neutral
Who is Dr. Lorraine Day?- GoodNewsAboutGod – Neutral
GoodNewsAboutGod – Neutral
Medical experts discredit claims that Covid-19 swabs are vaccines in disguise- AFP – Neutral
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