Where does the phrase COVID-19 come from?

I posted this question on Facebook. Here are answers I received. To me this illustrates why Facebook is a very useful resource. Posting people's responses by their initials.

8 Comments:

MO: Yes, WHO named it. https://www.goodrx.com/.../what-does-covid-19-mean-who.../

MO: The WHO press release announcing the name makes clear that a lot of thought went into choosing the name, in particular, they did want to stigmatize any geographic place or animal. https://www.who.int/dg/speeches/detail/who-director-general-s-remarks-at-the-media-briefing-on-2019-ncov-on-11-february-2020?fbclid=IwAR2tvpnYHX9Oih_0DMxxU2tIQZHaaPk8gMkud4hcl2VGZpcUjDOdh6DoQbY

SLG: bc a few years ago WHO published guidelines for naming conventions specifically avoiding connection to geographic areas. I think it was 2017

LPG: Yes. Stay safe!

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/technical-guidance/naming-the-coronavirus-disease-(covid-2019)-and-the-virus-that-causes-it?fbclid=IwAR0ax2u0GjXW99j4JdGkVoC6udZizJQxbQ8Kd-kRDCiI1gsY11e7OAE0Nng

EM: “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”. There are many types of human coronaviruses including some that commonly cause mild upper-respiratory tract illnesses.”

LL: Corona Virus Disease-19 (2019).

Steve Kelman: This is why I love Facebook. Thanks to all who responded to this question.