Ever since we first heard of the novel coronavirus (which does seem like it was an entire century ago), we’ve been told that the key to contain its spread lies in our hands. That we need to stay at home, wash our hands, avoid contact with other humans, and generally not panic or hoard too much stuff.
But somehow there are still selfish jerks out there who just want to do whatever they want, putting themselves and everyone around them in danger. And now there is a word for them.
Don’t be #Covidiot! pic.twitter.com/zaokdvMgHe
— KellsBells (@KellsBells_nz) March 23, 2020
That’s right! Now you know what you should be calling that one guy who is still asking you if you want to go to the pub. Or that one aunty who brought home 50 hand sanitiser bottles. Basically anyone who is not following the public health advices or hoarding supplies for themselves.
After appearing on Urban Dictionary, Twitter picked the word up, and soon enough, it went “viral” (sorry). Here are a few examples of some covidiots, in case you were wondering.
GHANA: 59 people die as Pastor gives them dettol to drink in church to prevent Coronavirus#COVIDIOT #COVID19 pic.twitter.com/H8eObMLACX
— 24HRS DEVELOPMENTS (@24_development) March 22, 2020
The people who gathered in large numbers during the Janta Curfew on Sunday were practicing some covidiocy as well.
Auspicious Corona Mahothsav came to an end.
— Elina (@LawyerInBaking) March 23, 2020
Maha Corona marks the rememberance of overcoming intelligence and succumbing to stupidity.
Special pujas and ritials were held across the nation all day long. Celebrations came to an end with processions and fireworks.#COVIDIOT #India pic.twitter.com/1GO8APJxij
And so was whoever took these masks from SMS Hospital in Jaipur. They’re. For. The. Doctors.
This country doesn’t have just the VIRUS to fight!! Other viruses are emerging too.
— Deepika Narayan Bhardwaj (@DeepikaBhardwaj) March 23, 2020
2.5 Lac Masks of N95 quality go missing from SMS Hospital, Jaipur. Total cost more than 1 crore. Worse – doctors & residents who the masks came for, never got it. #LockdownNow #COVIDIOT pic.twitter.com/QbMUU5zkFM
It’s important for us all to be alert and follow the guidelines laid out for us if we want to get through this epidemic. Let’s look out for each other in this time of need and stay at home, keep washing our hands, and not hoard on essentials. The road ahead is hard, but we can get through it together.
Just remember — don’t be a covidiot.
What do we fight? #coronavirusinindia or #COVIDIOT ?
— Prabha پربھا (@deepsealioness) March 23, 2020
pic.twitter.com/nnvq3WjVG5