The Coronavirus-Themed Fashion Event in Second Life Isn't Real -- But The Need to Joke In Dark Times Is (Comment of the Week)

Nylon Pinkney's latest comic about a Covid-19-themed fashion event in Second Life garnered some interesting responses, with some in Comments and many across social media (especially Facebook) accidentally assuming it was an actual virtual world event. So to clarify: No, the one described in her comic is not. However, that's not stopping other COVID-19 hijinks from ensuing online:

I mean, it's a joke. But as I was trying on demos for the [SL] Marketplace, I saw a sponsored ad for a Coronavirus 'bumper' - it sprays particles in the shape of COVID19 viruses if you bump the wearer. And someone in the club I dance at walked in with a Clorox Wipes holdable. -- Blaise Glendevon

Other readers found the comic (and other attempts at Coronavirus-themed humor) to be in bad taste. And while I can ultimately only speak for myself, I do think reader "Fionalein" speaks for many:

It is a stressful situation. Human coping mechanisms are various. Some folks best deal with situations by making fun of them. By making fun of dire situations they try to regain some normality. If this mechanism does not work for you, just ignore them but please understand that most of them are as irritated and afraid of the RL situation as you are.

Also speaking for myself (but also hopefully for some others) I'd be a lot more stressed if I didn't have New World Notes as an outlet -- and if I didn't have a bunch of smart and funny readers in Comments.