logo
Please note!
This fact brief was originally published as an experiment to test the concepts behind fact briefs.
Readers should be aware that while there is still a lot of useful information in fact briefs like this one, not all of them reflect Gigafact's current methods and standards for fact briefs. If you come across any that you feel are out of date, don't hesitate to contact us at support@gigafact.org.
Brief Publisher Logo
FACT BRIEF

Are COVID-19 variants named after brain wave frequencies?

By Beatrice Dupuy
Copy link
email
Copy featured image
email
NO

Both COVID-19 variants and brain wave frequencies are named using letters from the Greek alphabet, but the names have no connection.

As news about the delta COVID-19 variant made headlines, posts circulated online falsely claiming that variants were being named after brain waves or frequencies. Some posts falsely claimed this was part of a secret conspiracy to control humans through technology.

But the delta variant, which was first discovered in India and is known for being more transmissible than other variants, did not get its name as part of a plot to control brains.

The delta variant was named after the World Health Organization announced in May it would change its system for labeling variants and use the Greek alphabet to avoid tying them to locations.

The Greek alphabet is often used for naming purposes in math and science.

See a full discussion of this at The Associated Press
This fact brief is responsive to conversations such as this one.
Sources
World Health Organization WHO announces simple, easy-to-say labels for SARS-CoV-2 Variants of Interest and Concern
ABOUT THE CONTRIBUTOR
The Associated Press
The Associated Press is an independent global news organization dedicated to factual reporting. Founded in 1846, AP today remains the most trusted source of fast, accurate, unbiased news in all formats and the essential provider of the technology and services vital to the news business.
FACT BRIEF BY
Brief Publisher Logo
Latest fact briefs
facebook
twitter
email
email
About fact briefs published on Gigafact
Fact briefs are short, credibly sourced summaries that offer “yes/no” answers in response to claims found online. They rely on publicly available, often primary source data and documents. Fact briefs are created by contributors to Gigafact —a nonprofit project looking to expand participation in fact-checking and protect the democratic process. See all fact briefs here.