Once cases of the coronavirus started popping up around the US, following its global spread, one of the first things to go was the toilet paper. Photos showcased empty shelves where the bathroom necessity should have been, while memes about toilet paper shortages and stockpiling started cropping up on platforms like Twitter and TikTok.
2020-03-19Here are some of the meme trends and standout posts related to toilet paper, ranging from toilet paper substitutions to jokes about running low on supplies, which are giving people a reason to laugh instead of panic.
As people started to panic about toilet paper, tweets also started popping up about the threat of a genuine shortage.
—Devon Palmer (@devonpalmers) March 16, 2020
Some Twitter personalities got in on the joke.
—emma (@emmachamberlain) March 15, 2020
—James (@CaucasianJames) March 19, 2020
There were videos showing just how much of a tragedy the empty shelves were.
—Kristen Brancaccio (@kristensreality) March 15, 2020
The two violinists who put together this "Titantic" tribute told Insider about the reactions they got from people inside the store when they walked in and started playing.
People predicted what would happen once all the toilet paper was gone.
—ali (@thotdestroyer15) March 17, 2020
—Hard Drive (@HardDriveMag) March 17, 2020
Some pets didn't understand the value in a toilet paper roll.
—Jill Filipovic (@JillFilipovic) March 17, 2020
Other pets began to look a little too suspiciously fluffy.
—𝘛𝘑 (@ohTEEJ) March 18, 2020
@patrickbarnes When you run out of toilet paper... ##coronavirus ##foryoupage ##comedy
♬ original sound - patrickbarnes
Some mused about what toilet paper could be traded in for, with potentially devastating consequences.
—viking (@notviking) March 16, 2020
—NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) March 16, 2020
Some celebrities were compared to toilet paper roles – and this isn't the first celebrity comparison trend to come out of the coronavirus pandemic.
—ѕpαce cowɢιrl (@kaceymthreads) March 15, 2020
Fans have also been turning their favorite celebrities into hand sanitizers, as demonstrated by these side-by-sides of people like Chris Evans.
And some restaurants and bars started to capitalize on the toilet paper shortage, selling it alongside food and beverages.
—Ryan Brooks (@ryanbrooks) March 18, 2020
This Brooklyn bar that sold premixed margaritas is similar to an LA taco spot that is sold "emergency taco kits" that came alongside four toilet paper rolls and 30 eggs.
Besides animals, thoughts of what could be substituted for toilet paper in a pinch ran rampant.
—SMG (@sammandigee) March 17, 2020
—justin (@dogwrld) March 17, 2020
One option that multiple meme-makers thought of was cutting a paper towel roll into halves or thirds.
—B man. (@Just_Call_Me_B_) March 14, 2020
In a pinch, this TikTok demonstrated how well the idea could work out.
@drewdirksen when you and your homie run out of toilet paper @capronfunky
♬ Its Corona Time - Red Knight
On TikTok, people let their creativity shine with epic narratives about toilet paper loss.
@natenorell A cinematic masterpiece. w/@actionstudiostv ##corona ##viral ##coronatime ##fyp
♬ Merlins cover of Country Roads - deadp00l1131
@parker_james Steven got the last one & I made him wash his real hands😅##toiletpaper ##besafe ##coronavirus
♬ I Got the Last Toilet Paper - parker_james
The song "It's Corona Time" has shot to viral status on TikTok, accompanying plenty of short videos about toilet paper.
@thekatcurtis send this to a friend who’s low on toilet paper
♬ It's Corona Time - Chumino
One popular toilet paper trend on TikTok is this gross, but plausible, idea of how to reduce the number of toilet paper squares you use.
@justindeminted How to say toilet paper in prison ##fyp ##foryouppage ##prison ##toiletpaper
♬ original sound - justindemint1
