Beer drinkers may be associating the Corona brand of beer with the coronavirus outbreak.

Google search trends show a spike in interest for the Corona beer virus or beer coronavirus search phrases over the last few weeks.

5W Public Relations conducted a survey of more than 700 beer drinkers over the age of 21, asking their opinions about the Mexican beer brand.

According to the data they collected, 38% of beer drinking Americans would not buy Corona under any circumstances.

5W CEO Ronn Torossian says, “There is no question that Corona beer is suffering because of the coronavirus … While the brand has claimed that consumers understand there’s no linkage between the virus and the beer company, this is a disaster for the Corona brand.

“After all, what brand wants to be linked to a virus which is killing people worldwide?”

The name ‘coronavirus’ comes from the Latin corōna which means ‘crown.’  The word ‘corona’ also means crown in Spanish.

If you’ve seen the microscopic images of this coronavirus, you can see where the name originates. It has crown-like spikes.

Follow @walk_colb