Elon Musk has earned this new nickname amid COVID-19 test complaints
Over the weekend, Elon Musk revealed that he was given four rapid COVID-19 tests after experiencing symptoms. When two tests came back negative and two positive, however, Musk took to social media to share some controversial comments about the effectiveness of testing.
Now, it looks like the Tesla Tycoon is receiving the meme treatment after his controversial comments earned him a new nickname.
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Over the weekend, Musk’s SpaceX launched its second crew of astronauts to the International Space Station with the help of NASA. However, Musk was sidelined from personally attending the event amid concern he has attracted coronavirus.
On Nov. 13, Musk revealed that he took four rapid COVID-19 tests after showing symptoms. However, after the tests were inconclusive, he said that something “bogus” is happening.
“Something extremely bogus is going on,” he tweets. “Was tested for covid four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse. Rapid antigen test from BD.”
Something extremely bogus is going on. Was tested for covid four times today. Two tests came back negative, two came back positive. Same machine, same test, same nurse. Rapid antigen test from BD.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 13, 2020
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Shortly after this tweet, he confirmed that he likely has a “moderate case” of coronavirus.
“Am getting wildly different results from different labs, but most likely I have a moderate case of covid,” he tweets. “My symptoms are that of a minor cold, which is no surprise, since a coronavirus is a type of cold.”
Am getting wildly different results from different labs, but most likely I have a moderate case of covid. My symptoms are that of a minor cold, which is no surprise, since a coronavirus is a type of cold.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 14, 2020
However, one doctor isn’t too impressed with Musk’s comments about the effectiveness of testing. They took to Twitter to clarify the misconception that rapid antigen COVID-19 tests are as accurate as other ones.
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“Rapid antigen tests trade sensitivity for speed,” they says. “They return a result in <30 minutes, but can only detect COVID-19 when you’re absolutely riddled with it. What’s bogus is that Space Karen didn’t read up on the test before complaining to his millions of followers.”
Rapid antigen tests trade sensitivity for speed. They return a result in <30 minutes, but can only detect COVID-19 when you’re absolutely riddled with it. What’s bogus is that Space Karen didn’t read up on the test before complaining to his millions of followers. pic.twitter.com/a1Snfpm03h
— Emma Bell PhD (@emmabell42) November 14, 2020
In the midst of their explanation, they cleverly refer to Musk as a “Space Karen” due to his downplayed comments about his “mild” coronavirus symptoms while over a million worldwide have died from the virus.
Musk’s new nickname has quickly spread online. While some are applauding the doctor’s creation of the nickname, others are showing receipts on what Musk has said on coronavirus in the past.
The academic who called Elon Musk ‘Space Karen’ won Monday for me.
— Zamandlovu Ndlovu (@Ms_ZamaNdlovu) November 16, 2020
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New profile pic- xoxo, Space Karen pic.twitter.com/g2uGjLfmd1
— Drink Your Water, Mind Your Business (@Goose80782836) November 16, 2020
Space Karen’s genius prediction. pic.twitter.com/L0bivEaS9l
— Scott (@bassdubware) November 16, 2020
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I just woke up and we have a space Karen now? ? pic.twitter.com/LiCbuVjdWb
— Political Nerd (@GrumpyGamer_73) November 16, 2020
“Space Karen” has me undone ??? https://t.co/cSUvDXDTMk
— Eric Haywood (@EricHaywood) November 15, 2020
#SpaceKaren logo now available in two styles pic.twitter.com/yemMnn3tmX
— Pavel A. Samsonov (@PavelASamsonov) November 16, 2020
What are your reactions to Musk being called a “Space Karen”? Let us know in the comments below.
