(WWJ) - Friday the 13th generally has a spooky vibe to the day, with all the superstitions about luck both good and bad. But this time around it seems especially eerie given the current circumstances with the coronavirus outbreak.
Schools are shut down, sport seasons have been canceled, stores can't keep toilet paper on the shelves, and people are being told not to leave their homes to limit their exposure and possible spread of the virus.
It's almost hard to feel lucky when you consider the situation, but there are those who find Friday the 13th to be like the four leaf clover of the calendar. Others who have a morbid, irrational fear of Friday the 13th are known as Paraskevidekatriaphobics.
So, who is right?
An oft-cited British study published in 1993 proved that you’re more likely to be injured in a car accident on Friday the 13th, with statistics showing there were fewer cars on the road and yet more accidents. “The risk of hospital admission as a result of a transport accident may be increased by as much as 52 percent” on the 13th, the study claimed. The problem? The study was meant as a spoof, not to be taken seriously.
There are no serious studies about mishaps befalling people on Friday the 13th. But still, people have plenty of superstitions.
If bad luck seems to befall you on this day, you'll have some time to recover as the next Friday the 13th hits in November.