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Jeebo

(2,028 posts) Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:17 PM Mar 2020

Why is it called the "novel" coronavirus?

Is it similar to a plague in some apocalyptic novel? I know that's not it, but I have no idea what the word "novel" means in that context, and I wish somebody would explain it.

-- Ron

8 replies

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Why is it called the "novel" coronavirus? (Original Post) Jeebo Mar 2020 OP

New and emerging strains of viruses are called "novel" hlthe2b Mar 2020 #1

I think it just means different. OhZone Mar 2020 #2

Novel as in new Boxerfan Mar 2020 #3

It's a strain humans have no resistance to.... getagrip_already Mar 2020 #4

Same root as 'novelty.' Harker Mar 2020 #5

It's a good question customerserviceguy Mar 2020 #6

But can cornavirus be transmitted by email? KWR65 Mar 2020 #7

"Novel" means new. There are many strains of coronaviruses The Velveteen Ocelot Mar 2020 #8

hlthe2b

(102,421 posts)

1. New and emerging strains of viruses are called "novel"

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:18 PM

Mar 2020

OhZone

(3,212 posts)

2. I think it just means different.

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:18 PM

Mar 2020

Boxerfan

(2,533 posts)

3. Novel as in new

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:19 PM

Mar 2020

And as such we have no built in immunity. We have never dealt with it before.

getagrip_already

(14,902 posts)

4. It's a strain humans have no resistance to....

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:20 PM

Mar 2020

As others said, it's new and hasn't been seen before.

Harker

(14,056 posts)

5. Same root as 'novelty.'

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:52 PM

Mar 2020

New and different.

Someone may write a novel about it.

customerserviceguy

(25,183 posts)

6. It's a good question

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 02:53 PM

Mar 2020

I went to look it up the other day, posts here explain it well.

I do see the term "novel coronavirus" less and COVID-19 more as time goes on.

KWR65

(1,098 posts)

7. But can cornavirus be transmitted by email?

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 03:42 PM

Mar 2020

Just askin...

The Velveteen Ocelot

(115,902 posts)

8. "Novel" means new. There are many strains of coronaviruses

Reply to Jeebo (Original post)

Sat Mar 7, 2020, 05:10 PM

Mar 2020

that have been recognized for years, but this is a new one that hasn't been identified before.

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