# 0 Risk Of Transmission 0% Risk Of Transmission is an exploitable image macro based on a COVID-19 mask-wearing infographic that first appeared on Imgur in July 2020[1]. The meme repurposes the chart's "0% risk of transmission" row by replacing the scenario with someone expressing an unpopular opinion, causing the other person to walk away entirely. It became a popular format on Reddit for mocking widely disliked takes on topics like astrology, essential oils, and fringe beliefs. ## Origin The source infographic appeared on Imgur on July 18, 2020[2]. Its exact creator is unclear, and it was not attributed to any official health organization. While the general principle that masks and social distancing reduce COVID-19 spread was backed by public health guidance, the specific percentages in the chart lacked rigorous sourcing. Notably, the claim of a literal 0% transmission risk was scientifically inaccurate[1]. The first known meme edit came from Reddit user u/AgreeableForm, who posted a modified version to r/tucker_carlson on August 3, 2020. That post picked up over 430 upvotes, establishing the template's basic formula: replace the bottom row's scenario with a socially repulsive opinion. - **Platform:** Imgur (source infographic), Reddit (meme format) - **Creator:** u/AgreeableForm (first known meme edit) - **Date:** 2020 ## Overview The original infographic is a chart showing how different combinations of mask-wearing between two people affect the supposed risk of COVID-19 transmission[1]. Each row illustrates two stick figures, one infected and one healthy, with varying mask configurations. The percentage drops as more masks are involved, bottoming out at a "0% risk of transmission" row where both figures are masked and distanced. In the meme version, the "0% risk" row gets edited so that one figure says something deeply off-putting or widely mocked, and the other figure is shown walking away. The joke: you can't spread COVID if nobody wants to be near you[1]. The format works for any opinion considered so bad it functions as a social repellent. ## How It Spread After the initial r/tucker_carlson post, the format spread to other communities within weeks. On August 13, 2020, Facebook user David McAfee posted a version targeting essential oil evangelists. The joke landed well with audiences tired of pseudoscience sales pitches during a pandemic. The meme's biggest single hit came on October 5, 2020, when Reddit user u/lordsethpimpin posted an astrology-themed version to r/dankmemes. That post blew up to over 55,000 upvotes, pushing the format into mainstream meme rotation[1]. From there, variations targeting MLM sellers, flat earthers, anti-vaxxers, and other commonly mocked groups circulated across Reddit, Facebook, and Instagram throughout late 2020. The format was tightly tied to the pandemic era. As COVID-19 discourse shifted and mask mandates wound down in 2021 and 2022, the template lost its contextual punch. The meme relied on audiences recognizing the original infographic, and as that reference faded from public memory, so did the format. ## How to Use The 0% Risk Of Transmission format typically follows this structure: 1. Start with the original infographic showing various mask-wearing scenarios and their supposed transmission risk percentages 2. Edit the bottom "0% risk" row so that the left figure (the "infected" person) is saying or representing something widely disliked 3. The right figure is shown walking away, creating maximum social distance 4. The punchline: the opinion is so repellent that nobody will get close enough for transmission to occur ## Fun Facts - The original infographic claimed a literal 0% transmission risk with masks and distancing, which no credible health authority ever stated. The exaggeration actually made it better meme material[1]. - The meme format is essentially a social distancing joke about social distancing, a layer of meta that helped it land during peak pandemic humor[1]. - The first meme edit appeared on r/tucker_carlson, a politically conservative subreddit, but the format quickly became politically neutral as it spread to general meme communities. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is 0% Risk Of Transmission? It's an exploitable meme template based on a COVID-19 mask infographic, where the "0% risk" row is edited to show someone expressing an unpopular opinion that drives others away[1]. ### Where did 0% Risk Of Transmission come from? The source infographic appeared on Imgur on July 18, 2020. The first meme edit was posted to Reddit's r/tucker_carlson by u/AgreeableForm on August 3, 2020. ### What does 0% Risk Of Transmission mean? The joke is that certain opinions are so off-putting that no one will come close enough for any disease to spread. It's a play on social distancing as a metaphor for social rejection[1]. ### How do you use 0% Risk Of Transmission? Edit the bottom row of the infographic so one figure expresses something widely mocked (like "Mercury is in retrograde"), and the other figure walks away. The 0% risk label does the rest of the comedic work[1]. ### Is 0% Risk Of Transmission still popular? No. The meme was closely tied to 2020 pandemic culture and largely fell out of use as COVID-19 discourse shifted. It saw peak engagement in late 2020. ### Who created the original infographic? The creator of the source infographic is unknown. It appeared on Imgur without clear attribution and was not linked to any official health organization[1]. ### What was the most popular version? The astrology version posted by u/lordsethpimpin to r/dankmemes on October 5, 2020, which earned over 55,000 upvotes. ## References 1. [Internet meme]() 2. [0% Risk Of Transmission - Know Your Meme]() --- Source: https://meme.com/memes/0-risk-of-transmission Published by meme.com — The Internet Meme Library