Move over, Yankee Candles reviews. There’s a new barometer for whether you’ve possibly got COVID: TikTokers are positive that gasoline has lost its smell.
Abbie Richards, who researches misinformation on TikTok, posted about this phenomenon this week, stating the she “honestly can’t explain this one. I’m curious if it’s possible it’s related to higher ethanol dilution levels. Some people think it’s COVID. Maybe it could be a collective psychological phenomenon?”
@yungvec What is really goin on??
♬ original sound – Cafuné
Last week, TikToker @yungvec posted a video with the caption “Somebody said they haven’t smelled the gas at the gas station in a minute..And you know what..” The TikTok has more than 8 million views, and while many of the comments cite COVID as one reason why this might be, several people also suggested people are just being more careful at the pump these days.
@localfish420 #greenscreen ♬ Gasolina – Daddy Yankee
@motocheez Gasoline doesn’t smell the same lately. Anyone else noticed?#gas #whatsup #why ♬ original sound – MotoCheez
Other TikTokers claim this is definitely a dilution issue, which could allegedly explain why some people say they’re running out of gas quicker than normal. Some TikTokers, instead of just talking about this theory, are attempting to essentially huff gas in order to get to the bottom of this. Phattydaddy1433 clarifies in his TikTok that’s he’s “never had Covid never got the shot.”
@vera_sweeney It does smell less. What am I doing with my life?
♬ Welcome To Duloc – Hope Levy & Jill Bogard
The Depp-Heard trial is just the most recent example of how TikTok can mass-influence people to believe wild claims for clicks. But maybe this, much like those trusty Yankee Candle reviews, is more a byproduct of the government’s abysmal messaging about COVID.
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