What's in a (virus) name?

What we call diseases can be considered offensive — or a 'woke word game'

Viruses.
(Image credit: Illustrated | iStock)

The World Health Organization says it's working to rename "monkeypox," a smallpox-like, sexually transmissible disease that has spread to at least 39 countries so far this year. Here's everything you need to know:

Why change the name of monkeypox?

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Grayson Quay

Grayson Quay was the weekend editor at TheWeek.com. His writing has also been published in National Review, the Pittsburgh Post-GazetteModern AgeThe American ConservativeThe Spectator World, and other outlets. Grayson earned his M.A. from Georgetown University in 2019.