Some survey says 38% of beer-drinking Americans wouldn't buy a Corona now

Corona water mirror — Avoid the wet markets.

COVID-19 is commonly known as coronavirus. The respiratory disease, which has now been detected in 50 locations around the world including the United States, does have the word “corona” in it. But just so all you geniuses know: Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in many different species of animals and has zero to do with the Corona beer brand owned by Constellation in the United States and AB InBev internationally. On very rare occasions, animal coronaviruses like COVID-19 can infect people, but the beer brand Corona will at the very most maybe give you lime burn.

I do not mean to insulate your intelligence, but I just noticed someone called 5W Public Relations, which touts itself as one of the top 15 independently-owned PR agencies in the United States, has conducted a survey via phone of a whopping 737 American beer drinkers (so you know it’s accurate) over the age of 21 on February 25 and 26, 2020 (this week!), regarding their opinions about the popular Mexican beer brand and COVID-19 (commonly known as coronavirus). Here’s what that survey said!

38% of beer-drinking Americans would not buy Corona under any circumstances now
Among those who said they usually drink Corona, only 4% said they would stop drinking Corona, but 14% said they wouldn’t order Corona in a public venue
16% of beer drinking Americans were confused about whether Corona beer is related to the coronavirus

“There is no question that Corona beer is suffering because of the coronavirus. Could one imagine walking into a bar and saying ‘Hey, can I have a Corona?’ or ‘Pass me a Corona,’” said Ronn Torossian, founder and CEO of 5WPR. “While the brand has claimed that consumers understand there’s no linkage between the virus and the beer company, this is a disaster for the Corona brand. After all, what brand wants to be linked to a virus which is killing people worldwide?”

You’re right, Ronn. I could not imagine saying those things. YouGov, a global public opinion and data company, also reported that Corona beer’s “buzz score” — a net score based on whether U.S. adults have heard anything negative or positive about the brand — decreased among those who have an opinion of the brand, from a high score of 75 at the beginning of January to 51 as of late February, 2020. I’m sure this is all very accurate info.

My solution? Drink your local craft beer. On a brief survey of the office, there was zero confusion about coronavirus when it comes to fresh, locally-sourced ales and lagers.