As many know, the coronavirus is an outbreak occurring across Asia, specifically in China. Even though this deadly disease is starting to become common knowledge in our culture, many associate the name with a popular beer, (Corona beer). Even though I believed that many took this association as a joke, research has concluded that many have searched for a linkage to the virus and the beer. Since the virus began to become widespread in January, online searches for the phrase “beer coronavirus” went up by over 3,200% across the globe as “corona beer virus” sky rocketed by 2,300% (Duprey).
Besides people truly believing the virus and beer are linked, many have taken this linkage as a joke. Many have taken to social media to express this relation, tweeting and creating the hashtag #coronabeervirus. On a meme themed day in my sorority, my friend wore a corona t-shirt and wrote virus under the word “Corona” on the shirt. Many took pictures of it as the confusion between the beer and virus is amusing.
I questioned how the virus’ jokes have effected victims physically and emotionally. If I was in their shoes I would feel disheartened by the jokes that had come with my illness. Should media stop the overbearing content on this virus as it exploits individuals suffering?