COVID-19 Style Guide

Use the full name on first reference. CDC may be used on second reference.

The family of viruses that includes SARS-CoV-2, which causes the disease COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019).

The new coronavirus (using the article the) may be used in reference to the virus that causes COVID-19.

Short for coronavirus disease 2019, the disease caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus. Symptoms vary and can include fever, cough, difficulty breathing and/or loss of taste or smell, but individuals with COVID-19 may experience mild or even no symptoms.

Do not use COVID-19 to refer to the virus that causes it. Never shorten to COVID unless it is used in a quotation.

When writing about health and safety guidelines or best practices associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, be sure to communicate that what’s being discussed reflects the most current information. COVID-19 continues to be a developing situation, and guidelines may change.

For up-to-date information about official university guidelines, visit UB’s Health and Safety Guidelines webpage. Additional information may also be found on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Coronavirus (COVID-19) website and the New York State Department of Health Novel Coronavirus website.

In accordance with updated guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Erie County Department of Health, UB  requires all students, employees and visitors — regardless of their vaccination status — to wear a high quality, tight-fitting, high-filtration mask indoors and in public settings.

Face covering is more accessible than face mask and is preferred as a general term. However, face mask or mask may be used in graphic design applications, such as signs or posters, where space may be limited. Default to face covering in longer articles, documents or web copy.

A protective transparent visor secured around or over the head and covering the entire face. A face shield is a specialized type of personal protective equipment and is not expected to be worn on campus except in specific circumstances by health care professionals or as required by individual units.

A face shield, though a type of face covering, is generally not a substitute for a high quality, tight-fitting, high-filtration mask, but an individual may use a face shield in lieu of a high quality, tight-fitting, high-filtration mask when there is a valid medical reason why that person cannot wear a face covering. Therefore, it is important to practice physical distancing when using a face shield alone.

The practice of separating sick people, such as those with confirmed cases of coronavirus infection, from others to contain the spread of contagious diseases.

Isolation is different from quarantine; do not use them interchangeably. Though the process of separation may be similar, isolation pertains specifically to individuals confirmed (or presumed with a high degree of certainty) to be infected, while quarantine pertains specifically to individuals who may have been exposed but have not been confirmed to be infected.

Equipment, such as face coverings or gowns, worn to reduce exposure to dangers such as contagions.

Always use personal protective equipment. Do not use PPE unless in a direct quotation, making sure to spell it out later.

The current health and safety guidance to individuals to maintain a minimum 6 feet of distance between themselves and others outside their home.

Preferred over social distancing.

The precautionary practice of separating a person who might have been exposed to a contagion such as the new coronavirus from others prior to the possible development of infection. Not everyone who quarantines will necessarily develop infection. 

Quarantine is different from isolation; do not use them interchangeably. Though the process of separation may be similar, quarantine pertains specifically to individuals who may have been exposed but have not been confirmed to be infected, while isolation pertains specifically to individuals confirmed (or presumed with a high degree of certainty) to be infected.