With news fast spreading of the Omicron variant making its way to the United States, it hasn’t taken long for buzz of another kind to gain some momentum: people confusing Omicron with an actual person — singer Omarion.
While news of the first reported U.S. case in California on Nov. 30, followed by other cases reported the next day in Colorado, Minnesota and New York, hasn’t been pleasant, Black Twitter has worked to lift some spirits.
Social media is lit up with memes that refer to the Omicron variant as Omarion instead. The singer was soon trending following the posting of several memes.
One meme had Omarion being revealed as the new COVID-19 strain using his appearance on “The Masked Singer.” “Introducing the newest Covid strain,” it read.
Another meme joked about the “Omarion” variant fighting with the booster shot by using a clip from his 2005 music video “Touch.”
“Not the Omarion variant and the booster having a lil tussle.”
Lastly, using the previous viral Omarion meme of him dancing, another person tweeted, “The Omarion variant is out here like…”
Omarion had a sense of humor about the meme and posed a response on Twitter. The singer used the opportunity to advise people to be healthy and safe. He said he was thankful that he could help people laugh through music and also aptly noted that the internet is undefeated.
“There is nothing more healing than music or a good laugh,” he wrote. “I’m thankful to be able to give people both…From the Omarion dance challenge to being superimposed on the new variant, The internet is forever undefeated. While we laugh, stay safe and stay healthy.”
New York Rep. Gregory Meeks also commented on Twitter and told folks to get vaccinated or get booster shots referencing the singer and his 2014 hit single “Post to Be.”
“Omicron or Omarion, either way, please get vaxxed or boosted like you ‘Post to Be,’ ” he wrote.
Hawaii was the last state to report a case of the variant on Dec. 2. The person infected with the virus was not vaccinated and lives on the island of Oahu.
Scientists suspect that the Omicron variant spreads as easily or more easily than the Delta variant, but they are still learning about it. The person infected in the first reported case in California was vaccinated.
The arrival of the Omicron variant prompted talk of another quarantine, but officials said not to panic. They advised getting a booster shot or vaccinated and wearing a mask. In the meantime, there are the Omarion memes to cheer you up.
More Stories from Our Partners:
‘Still Don’t Look a Day Over 30’: Toni Braxton’s Ageless Appearance Stuns Fans Over, and Over Again
