Laughing During A Crisis: The Best Coronavirus Memes

In 1976, famous evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins coined the term “meme.” He described memes as an attempt to understand behaviors that make no sense from an evolutionary perspective but are widespread in human culture. The internet has riffed on that concept, hard. But is it still true to say that memes make no sense in human evolution? As the coronavirus pandemic continues to wreak havoc, could one argue that memes are providing a very helpful evolutionary function, in that they are helping us stop from descending into panic and chaos by providing an outlet for a shared sense of humor? 

This article is not an attempt to argue the above point. We don’t need science to know that in times of crisis, laughter is the best medicine we’ve got...especially since we don’t actually have a COVID-19 cure yet. Hopefully, a few giggles will make the time spent in self-isolation just that much more bearable. So, please, enjoy this collection of coronavirus memes to accompany a range of moods and scenarios.

For embracing the laziness in quarantine:

For shared stress over hand-washing and face-touching: 

For the pun of it:

For the glory of the internet:

For a reminder that it could be worse: 

For when laughing at Americans feels good:

For those who are lucky enough to work from home:

For the resourceful quarantiners:

For those who have embraced insanity:

For the New Yorkers:

To warm your heart:

Keep calm, and wash your hands.