Social media platforms such as Twitter, Instagram and others have been flooded with memes as people seek to come to terms with the new life realities imposed by the spread of the coronavirus COVID-19 across the world.
Whether scared or confused or dazed, users have sought refuge in satire and dark humour as they grapple with the daunting developments.
As netizens were voicing their response to the travel bans and other restrictions in place in countries battling the coronavirus epidemic, some noted there was an individual who was “thrilled” with the developments.
The reference was to the UK’s Prince Andrew, after FBI requests for him to travel to the US to help with the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking inquiry went unanswered.
In wake of a US decision to ban all travel from the UK, Lorraine Fisher, 34, an expert in Royal travel affairs, was earlier quoted by the Suffolk Gazette as saying:
“The Duke of York has taken a particular interest in the latest international travel news. He thinks it is an excellent idea that nobody should feel compelled to travel to the US. Even if they have important reasons to travel, such as legal matters, for example, it’s best to stay at home and remain out of harm’s way.”
Prince Andrew, Queen Elizabeth II's youngest son, has since withdrawn from public duties due to his connections to the Epstein scandal, while repeatedly vowing he would be willing to cooperate with law enforcement as part of the investigation into the deceased sex-abuser millionaire Epstein.
As netizens jumped on the story, one user shared an image of the character Cartlon from the comedy show The Fresh Prince of Bel Air rejoicing.
UK added to America's travel ban.
— Claire (@AzureDoo) March 14, 2020
Prince Andrew like: https://t.co/zmWFvTURDu pic.twitter.com/gAp7c6tcFG
We all know one guy who's happy as Larry about the #virus and delighted that there's a ban on travel to the US. 🤔
— I don't believe it... (@eMKaGey) March 17, 2020
Sorry FBI, I'd come and see you if only they'd let me. Honestly. #PrinceAndrew #scumbag #coronavirus
Netizens were venting their emotions on a plethora of other issues linked with the coronavirus and its effect on their lives. Some took to social media to express frustration with official response to the epidemic, with users in the UK poking fun at the “slow” approach taken by UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his advisers in dealing with the pandemic.
Boris: Avoid all mass gatherings and physical contact
— Tom (@tomholdensharma) March 16, 2020
Me: Isn't school a mass gathering?
Boris: #schoolclosure pic.twitter.com/Wuy3NWnrBo
Boris Johnson's #Coronavirus policy. pic.twitter.com/lzXEPfIh09
— andfinally #FBFE 🇪🇺 (@andfinally) March 16, 2020
Other netizens shared their views on working from home, as requested by coronavirus response guidelines in many countries.
me and my coworkers logging into all of our meetings remotely for the next couple of weeks pic.twitter.com/fpOYiHJLcl
— isha (@ikasliwal) March 9, 2020
Day 1 of working from home pic.twitter.com/nn7CZ2MNwX
— Jamie Dassoulas (@JamieDass) March 13, 2020
working from home day 1: my husband just army-crawled through the dining room to stay out of frame of my zoom call
— amy (@arb) March 9, 2020
Working from home, day 1, hour 1:
— Luke Murphy (@lucasmurph) March 17, 2020
I completely forgot I live in a flat below people who appear to jump and sing all day.
I’m back! Now that everyone’s working from home, the office is quiet enough to work in again! pic.twitter.com/IMzgWwMRwN
— Closeted News Junkie (@NewsCloset) March 17, 2020
In quarantine showing off your hamster to your colleagues during group video calls pic.twitter.com/WbCdqGY4JE
— Lewis Wake (@lewiswake) March 16, 2020
Some social media users on Twitter and Instagram shared their troubles regarding finding toilet paper and hand sanitizer…
Me trying to find Hand Sanitizer... pic.twitter.com/ccLX1GuOg3
— Gaz (@rycbar32_) March 11, 2020
Monday Mood:
— 🥀𝓐𝓵𝓲𝓬𝓲𝓪🥀 (@ALICIAH23) March 16, 2020
Finding Toilet Paper at the Grocery Store 🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻🧻🧻🧻#MondayFeeling pic.twitter.com/C5iESTKoy9
Others erupted in memes while speculating whether things might “get any worse”.
me: 2020 sucks it possibly can’t get any worse
— Giovanni (@iamgiovanni13) March 17, 2020
april: pic.twitter.com/UK1Wb5LLkv
Some netizens, however, showed signs of frustration with the meme fest.
This is just a photo of a rock.
— Lewis Wake (@lewiswake) March 15, 2020
It’s better than another Coronavirus meme. pic.twitter.com/KvyfqtAvXh
The social memes come as latest figures now show the virus has now affected 182,424 people worldwide and claimed the lives of 7,155 people.
