The Center for Disease Control can be said to exist to provide information and guidance on public health issues. Their support is some of the little direction we've received during the pandemic.
But even they aren't the purely authoritative and respected agency some might wish they were. Sometimes, they give really simple advice in what might be the worst format imaginable.
Like an animated GIF warning about swimming with diarrhea.
Don’t swim or let your kids swim if sick with diarrhea. One person with diarrhea can contaminate the entire pool. L… https://t.co/m6TidItMPA— CDC (@CDC) 1625166600.0
Like...
With summer in full swing, plenty of families are turning to private or public pools to beat the heat. While fecal issues aren't... unheard of... during water-based activities, they seem like they'd be obvious for most people.
However, the CDC believes the American people need to be reminded to be careful with contaminating the bodies of water we swim in.
On the other hand, people on Twitter were confused about why they thought that.
@BlackDragonKrew @CDCgov Or graphicly depicted.— Sisyphus Idaho (@Sisyphus Idaho) 1625225733.0
Thank you CDC. I would have found a kid with diarrhea and taken them straight to the pool if not for this. https://t.co/4jDFXA4KWR— ReddWrecker (@ReddWrecker) 1625169855.0
@HireVesuvius @CDCgov Graphic designer in the CDC needs a raise...— chasidervative (@chasidervative) 1625171184.0
@brostoevksy @CDCgov And it was probably the most interesting project they’ve had all year 😂— RLB (@RLB) 1625251805.0
Additionally, the graphic seems over-the-top. It's not just a cutesy scene, scarred by the addition of some choice use of the color brown. It's also the fact it was animated.
Who at the CDC saw this colorful art of a family enjoying their time at a little pool, slide covered in poop, and decided it would be a really good idea to turn it into an animated GIF?
The strange scene led to a lot of debate and even more jokes.
@jonshiring @CDCgov I am just so glad to have a good excuse not to go to the pool. Instead of telling people I feel… https://t.co/pfGWvMMkLu— Colette Saucier⚜️ (@Colette Saucier⚜️) 1625355698.0
@JoeSetyon @CDCgov If I have to choose between this and drones firing hellfire missiles at kids, Imma take the GIFs every time.— The Wyzard 📚💖 (@The Wyzard 📚💖) 1625177556.0
@Ta11Texan @CDCgov don’t fart in the public pool. have some manners.— k 🤙🏻 (@k 🤙🏻) 1625296515.0
The ridiculous CDC is saying that I can’t do diarrhea in the pool now. First they say “wear a mask” now this. Hitle… https://t.co/E4BrAudGEe— 🔪🔪🔪bЯyan🔪🔪🔪 (@🔪🔪🔪bЯyan🔪🔪🔪) 1625241322.0
@Alex_94706 @CDCgov If you’re sliding into first and you feel something burst……— The Jorster (@The Jorster) 1625172308.0
@Stephy404 @CDCgov You’re just jealous— Michael Tar (@Michael Tar) 1625357596.0
However, no one could top probably the best pun in the bunch.
@CDCgov literal sh*tposting. well done cdc— chip goines (@chip goines) 1625166995.0
While the CDC may be the butt of the joke today, they do provide a lot of helpful advice about health and safety.
Even if some political pundits want to make it seem like a joke.