Source: Prince Williams / Getty
Black Twitter has the uncanny ability to turn almost anything into a well-timed joke, and the same has happened with the Omicron COVID-19variant that raised concerns around the globe. Using humor as a means to cope with the pandemic fatigue, Black Twitter has R&B singer Omarion‘s name trending as a result, and while this is a serious situation, the reactions easily induced some chuckles.
Although Omarion’s name began trending in earnest on Monday (Nov. 29), credit should be given to another Twitter user who seemed to be ahead of everyone over the weekend.
That Omarion variant gon have unvaxxed folks doing this? pic.twitter.com/e5hXHMz9Sd
— jujoffer (@jujoffer) November 27, 2021
Since then, others have come with their own variation of the twist on words, coming in the wake of folks getting Decepticons trending after the World Health Organization named the variant after cases were found in South Africa. It should be carefully noted that while cases were indeed found in the African nation, it does not signify that the variant was established there.
The situation regarding Omicron is dire enough that the United States and Europe banned travel from South Africa and its bordering countries to their respective regions. However, the variant appeared in Portugal, Hong Kong, and other locales, adding to the growing speculation that the virus spreaded further than previously thought.
Efforts to contain spread may be futile as the Omicron variant has shown spike mutations unlike any seen before with the COVID-19 virus, prompting the WHO to call for worldwide vaccination efforts, research, and data collection to stave off any further impact rendered already from the still-ongoing pandemic.
For now, laughter might be the best medicine regarding this concerning moment and we’ve got some of the reactions below.
—
Photo: Getty
1.
Finding humor in this pandemonium is what’s helped me get through this thing. Cus the way I been chuckling at y’all calling it the damn Omarion Variant?! pic.twitter.com/E0iAewFATO
— Cindy Noir
(@Ebonie_QT) November 30, 2021
2.
The fact that y'all just started calling that variant the Omarion variant lmao, Black people gon make jokes til the very end
— Slick Mik (@OkSoMik) November 30, 2021
3.
Scientists discovering the Omarion variant: pic.twitter.com/lmL5lQ79oM
— ThatGuyDips (@ThatGuyDips) November 30, 2021
4.
They say in order to keep the Omarion Variant away, you have to do this routine 3 times in the mirror pic.twitter.com/DWvJAdW4GU
— DB (Osunbanke) (@aura_of_gold) November 30, 2021
There are probably three dozen variations of this joke.
5.
Black ppl are so hilarious. I love how we saw the name of the new COVID variant and fuck it… we gon call it Omarion.
— Mississippi Delta Variant (@BgRs) November 30, 2021
6.
Waking up seeing Omarion trending and getting excited for new music just to find out that’s what y’all are calling this new variant. pic.twitter.com/wzjd1GU5cY
— Karmin (@beingkarmin) November 30, 2021
7.
in line for my booster rn. omarion will not dance his way into my life.
— god tier hoochie
(@_benjvmins_) November 30, 2021
8.
Can we all just agree to call it the Omarion variant and stop debating pronunciation.
— Franklin Leonard (@franklinleonard) November 30, 2021
9.
I have a feeling everyone's going to call it the Omarion variant until we all start forgetting what it's really called
— cleo's mom (@browniigal) November 30, 2021
10.
Omicron or Omarion, either way, please get vaxxed or boosted like you “Post to Be”.
— Rep. Gregory Meeks (@RepGregoryMeeks) November 30, 2021
NGL, this was a good tweet.
11.
The only thing that can stop the Omarion variant. pic.twitter.com/gTBbUxbij4
— Negus Moe Man
(@dareal88keyz) November 30, 2021
12.
So Black people are just going to be calling it the Omarion variant till further notice. Got it
— Tracie Hunte (@TracieHunte) November 29, 2021
13.
The Omarion variant is no joke. It can cause a cardiac condition where it puts an icebox where your heart used to be. https://t.co/LWf9ybr0FJ
— Nick Rosenberg (@nickrosenberg) November 29, 2021
Solid tweet.
14.
Not the Omarion variant and the booster having a lil tussle pic.twitter.com/xjlqcB1zwO
—
Suge
Lite
(@Kamifaine) November 30, 2021
15.
The Omarion Variant chasing me down like pic.twitter.com/7nZIJOaIjZ
— A Menace! (@LoLoVonZ) November 29, 2021
(@Ebonie_QT)
(@_benjvmins_)
(@dareal88keyz)
Lite