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The glossary of the COVID-19 pandemic is a list of definitions of terms relating to the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic has created and popularized many terms relating to disease and videoconferencing.
A
The global reduction of modern human activity, especially travel.
The spread of a contagious illness by those without symptoms, or before the appearance of symptoms.
B
An extra administration of a vaccine following an earlier dose.
C
The commercial name for the FDA approved COVID-19 vaccine from Pfizer, released August 21, 2021. It also has several other names or designators used on the actual vials.
The spread of a contagious disease to an individual with no known contact with other infected populations.
The process of identification of persons who may have come into contact with an infected person.
A person who ignores safety guidelines, potentially spreading COVID-19.
Governmental safety interventions meant to minimize the spread of COVID-19.
A term used to describe an excessive immune response resulting in multiple organ failure.
D
Endlessly scrolling through bad news especially social media, to the detriment of the reader's mental health.
E
An employee who provides essential services to the public.
F
A public health strategy to slow down the spread of a virus involving voluntary and involuntary restrictions on social interactions. Also called "plank the curve".
A portmanteau of "flu" and "corona" referring to a double infection of coronavirus and influenza strains.
An object or surface that may contain an infectious virus or bacteria that can be a means of transmission.
H
A term to describe when a high percentage of a defined population is immune to a disease because of vaccination or prior exposure to a disease.
Combining different brands or types of vaccines, instead of getting multiple doses of the same vaccine. This may be done for practical reasons such as a vaccine shortage or in the hope of a better response.
A cell in the body that becomes invaded by a virus and then acts as a host to produce more virus particles.
The practice of taking hygiene measures intended to give the illusion of improved health safety while actually doing little to reduce any risk.
I
The capability of multicellular organisms to resist harmful microorganisms.
The time it takes for an individual who is infected with a disease to start showing symptoms.
L
A term used to describe individuals who contracted COVID-19 and exhibit symptoms for an extended period of time compared to the majority of the recovered population.
M
A portmanteau of "mask" and "acne" referring to acne and other rashes of the face that occur in association with mask wearing.
N
O
P
An acronym for a "polymerase chain reaction test" that determines if a simple contains genetic material from a virus.
Q
Virtual happy hour.
R
Pronounced "R-naught" or "R-zero"; a measurement used to describe the intensity of an outbreak.
S
Also called an "antibody test" is used to determine if an individual had been infected with a virus in the past by testing for antibodies in the bloodstream.
The number of people in which antibodies to a disease have been detected in a specific population.
Also called "physical distancing" is the practice of keeping a certain distance from other people, in order to stop a disease from spreading.
Or "superspreading event" is a person or event that infects a large number of people with a contagious disease.
T
A portmanteau of "twin" and "pandemic" referring to simultaneous cases of the flu and COVID-19.
V
Also called "viral dose" refers to the amount of a virus an individual has been exposed to including biological and environmental specimens.
Z
A suppression strategy that involves using public health measures such as contact tracing, mass testing, and border quarantine and lockdowns
A term used to describe a disease originating in animals that has mutated to infect humans.
A brand videoconferencing software popularized during the pandemic.
Fatigue associated with the overuse of virtual platforms of communication such as videoconferencing.
Unwanted members joining a Zoom call.
External links
- Glossary on the COVID-19 pandemic - Government of Canada
- Lang, Cady (December 14, 2020). "Social Distancing, Doomscroll and Defund: The Words That Defined 2020". Time.
- Kreuz, Roger J. (September 25, 2020). "How COVID-19 is changing the English language". The Conversation.
