Corona Beer Production Halted In Mexico Because Of Virus

There have been several businesses and industries that have suffered because of the outbreak of fo COVID-19. The virus, known as a novel coronavirus (novel meaning new), has forced around one-third of the world’s population to live under some kind of lockdown order. Now, Corona beer is the latest company to feel the power of COVID-19.

Update April 6, 2020, 11:41 a.m. PST: Corona beer production temporarily halted because of the virus.

Grupo Modelo, the company that makes Corona beer, announced on Twitter that it was stopping production of the beer. The decision was made to stay in compliance with Mexico’s order to stop non-essential business.

“We are one of the first companies in Mexico to implement and follow strict hygiene practices and safety regulations of the Mexican government and the World Health Organization,” read the statement shared on Twitter.

The statement continues to state that the company has a plan in place to activate 75 percent of their workforce. They’d work from home should the Mexican government deem them as essential as part of agriculture.

Original: We don’t mean to minimize the hardship that the newfound coronavirus has caused in China and the red alerts that the medical crisis has sparked all around the world. However, it is important to note how misinformation and Internet humor can lead to some people actually believing the most outlandish stories and explanations for the global health crisis.

Of course there have been conspiracy theories that claim that China was developing a biological weapon and things got out of control. This, of course has sparked all sorts of rumors, as is the case when global pandemics happen. But the fact remains that Chinese authorities have tracked the virus back to a market in Wuhan where exotic species and wild animals were being sold. It is believed that the virus, which is called “corona” because its shape resembles a crown, originated in a wild snake species and was then passed on to humans.

But of course for beer drinkers around the world the name reminded them of something else.

Yes, particularly for gringos the virus’ name had a particular resonance with the Mexican lager, renowned around the world for its crisp flavor and breezy palate. And also a reminder of many drunken nights or cruel hangovers. 

So, of course, the Internet being the Internet, memes relating the refreshing brew and the scary virus soon popped up everywhere!

So according to online chistes this is how the virus actually came about: with a compa having una chelita bien helada. If only this was true… 

Others just begged to be infected…

.

… al mal paso darle prisa, they say. 

Others gave the memes a more geopolitical twist!

It is no secret that U.S.-China relationships have deteriorated during the Trump administration and people soon got creative to throw political jabs at both sides. We wouldn’t be surprised, however, if some MAGA dudes actually believe something like this could actually be true. 

And of course where there is a Corona there is a lime… or lyme…?

Get it? Get it? Such a dad joke

The Mexican Internet has produced by far the best coronavirus related memes.

Just look at the estilacho on this compa, downing his chela with the aplomb of a true gentleman. 

And being “infected” became the best excuse for a drunken rampage

So if you get totally malacopa in a good old-fashioned borrachera, you can always blame the now celebre Corona-virus. 

But here’s the kicker… an increasing number of people actually believe there is a link between Corona beer and coronavirus! Yes, es neta!

As Vice reported, Google search trends related to the virus obviously had an increase in the past few days as the disease spreads around the world and governments scramble to prevent populations from getting the disease that affects the upper respiratory tract, sometimes with fatal results. Searches such as “coronavirus symptoms” or “how do I prevent coronavirus” had a huge spike of 1050% in only a week.

However, the search trends also revealed a dark reality: people can be really ignorant when it comes to matters of public and personal health. As VICE reported, “there has also been a spike in searches for ‘corona beer virus,’ because apparently people are under the impression that coronavirus, also known as nCoV, has something to do with Corona brand beer.”

Some people claim that #fakenews doEs not actually cause any harm, but we beg to differ: people are ready and even willing to believe anything, particularly if it is just totally out of any scope of logic or common sense. 

And no, the searches do not originate in Mexico, where the beer is produced.

The searches actually come from countries that are supposedly developed and whose citizens should definitely know better. VICE further reports: “The searches have been prevalent in North America (but not in Mexico, where the beer is produced) and western Europe (we see you, Finland), as well as in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, and New Zealand.” Just wow!

And it gets even worse. Far-right conspiracy theorists actually say that the best way to prevent the virus is by drinking bleach, as Daily Beast reports: “the conspiracy purveyors at QAnon are suggesting that the best way to protect yourself from coronavirus is by drinking bleach. In both tweets and videos, QAnon associates have suggested that their followers should purchase and consume a product called Miracle Mineral Solution, Miracle Mineral Supplement, or simply MMS.”

Just what is wrong with people?