The Brief: As the Coronavirus (COVID 19) spreads worldwide, so do panic, misinformation, jokes, and memes about it.

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Coronavirus memes are reactions to the COVID-19 virus that’s spreading worldwide, causing illness, death, and hits to the global economy. Coronavirus has killed over 2,800 and infected over 83,000 worldwide. The virus has been found in over 50 countries and one case of community-spread COVID-19 has been reported in the United States. The World Health Organization said the risk of COVID-19 spreading and having a global impact is “very high.” The spread of the virus has had negative implications for national and global economies.

There have even been reports that consumers are less likely to buy Corona beer because its name is similar to that of the virus and the international virus simulation video game Plague Inc. has been banned from the Chinese app store.

As with the World War III memes of January 2020, Coronavirus memes both serve as a coping mechanism and as a way to turn a serious situation into a joke. With the spread of memes and other related content online, there are risks that unverified and inaccurate posts may spread misinformation and unwarranted hysteria. Some coronavirus-related memes have been a source of racism and xenophobia against Chinese and Asian people, referencing the virus’s initial outbreak in Wuhan, China.

Social media sites including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok have added measures to prevent the spread of misinformation including directing people who search “coronavirus” to information from the CDC and highlighting official content made by public health officials and medical professionals. In spite of these measures, fake news about the virus continues to spread both online and off, by both individuals and, in some cases, government officials.

Coronavirus Memes

For better or for worse, Coronavirus (COVID-19) memes with tones ranging from dark humor to complete mockery of the situation to total panic are circulating online.

Can’t wait for March from dankmemes

Modern problems require modern solutions…

Outstanding move ! from memes

One of many Plague Inc. memes:

plague inc is a good game from dankmemes

Gru’s plan: 

G E K O L O N I S E E R D from memes

WAR IS WAR from dankmemes

Execute order covid-19 from PrequelMemes

anyone know where I can get one of these? from CoronavirusMemes

A surprise attack kick meme:

*Chuckles* We’re In Danger from memes

A Surreal Meme Man panik vs. kalm meme:

Panik from meme