On July 24 a monkeypox outbreak was declared by the World Health Organization. While some began panicking, others immediately began creating many memes related to the virus. Internet users creating memes relating to deadly diseases are not uncommon as they’ve done it multiple times in the past with COVID-19, Ebola, and the Swine Flu. While memes are usually intended to be satirical and not meant to be taken seriously, they can be a good way of spreading information quickly just as easily as they can spread disinformation as well.
Ever since their conception in the early internet memes have always been straight to the point and simple to comprehend They are great for getting a point across quickly. News always strives to deliver reliable information quickly and when memes gain popularity they can spread like wildfire. In turn, this educates more people about situations happening in the real world as well as other things. Memes being straight to the point also helps to better understand the information. For example, one of the most prominent memes made about the Monkeypox Virus is about the symptoms you can get from them, especially the rashes.
As previously mentioned memes can be a good way of spreading information just as easily as they can spread disinformation. There are many examples of memes providing false information but Monkeypox will be the main example. One example of people spreading disinformation through Monkeypox memes is how this virus is new when it has been around since 1958. This isn’t even the first time a Monkeypox outbreak has happened. Another outbreak happened in May 2003. As the name may imply, many would think that Monkeypox comes from monkeys when it doesn’t. Monkeypox is traced back to rodents which were then isolated from a monkey in Africa which is where the name comes from.
Monkeypox isn’t as big of a threat as it is in other places of the world only just barely reaching 300 confirmed cases here in Indiana. Despite that, it isn’t unlikely that someone would be afraid due to the recent outbreak. Memes are not only used as a way of spreading information quickly but it’s also an outlet to cope with the problems in the world. Many things could be better, and many people are using monkeypox memes to add humor to an otherwise dire situation.