House Of Cards Season 5 Binge Staying Home Sick Tweet

Photo: David Giesbrecht/Courtesy of Netflix.

A mysterious illness has hit American workers this week. The sickness seems to last precisely 13 hours and requires the sufferer to remain horizontal on a bed or couch for that period of time. And, most interestingly, the illness seems to be triggered by watching the season 5 premiere of House of Cards. Yep, the House of Cards flu is going around.

People are taking to Twitter to admit to (and joke about) calling in sick to work in order to binge the entire 13-episode run of the Netflix political drama-thriller. The series — starring Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright as the smoothly sinister first couple. Mr. and Mrs. Underwood — is darker and crazier than ever in its latest installment. And fans just can't help themselves: the urge to binge is strong, and it's taking a toll on the country's productivity on what is being dubbed "National House of Cards Sick Day." One viewer tweeted, "excuse me for being sick tomorrow *cough cough* @HouseofCards." Someone else wondered, "Would anyone put two and two together if half the office called in sick tomorrow #houseofcards #Netflix #askingforafriend." Another good one: "If you're 'out sick' today, expect a text from me later to gauge your read on House of Cards." And my personal favorite works in another topical hashtag: "My #covfefe is aching so I'm calling in sick to watch @HouseofCards."

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The streaming platform's notoriously cheeky Twitter account — remember that savage 13 Reasons Why shade it threw at Hulu? — has caught on to the seriousness of the pandemic, which they're dubbing the "Netflu." Netflix is provided people with a doctor's note to excuse their absence from school or work. According to the slip, symptoms of the Netflu include paranoia, the inability to sleep, and blurry vision/strained eyes. The note adds, "If you feel that you also have the contagious disease, please quarantine yourself for 13 hours." Doctor's orders.

*cough @HouseofCards cough* pic.twitter.com/oUKCicdOkO
— Netflix US (@netflix) May 30, 2017

When your co-worker calls in sick, but you know he's watching @HouseofCards pic.twitter.com/DVG9FxFHZ8
— Netflix Asia (@NetflixAsia) May 31, 2017

If you're "out sick" today, expect a text from me later to gauge your read on House of Cards.
— Rachel Morello (@morellomedia) May 31, 2017

#wednesdaywisdom When you needed to take a sick day on the date House of Cards s5 appeared on @NetflixUK . #coincidence #noonebelievesme
— Lee Nostromo (@leenostromo) May 31, 2017

My #covfefe is aching so I'm calling in sick to watch @HouseofCards
— John Eskra FOX 32 (@JohnEskraFox32) May 31, 2017

.@egreenspon @jcafley @docmartens11: excuse me for being sick tomorrow *cough cough* @HouseofCards
— Darren T. (@darren_touch) May 31, 2017

Would anyone put two and two together if half the office called in sick tomorrow #houseofcards #Netflix #askingforafriend
— Lexie Oneca (@LexieOneca) May 31, 2017

About to call in sick tomorrow so I can binge watch the rest of house of cards
— Rachel Benn (@RachLB22) May 31, 2017

Contemplating calling in sick from work so I can binge watch @HouseofCards
— Kati Vail (@katisngentlemen) May 31, 2017

National House of Cards Sick Day https://t.co/Sgt4U67PDh
— Jason Marino (@thejasonmarino) May 31, 2017

literally two minutes into #HouseOfCards and i'm gonna have to call in sick tomorrow to finish the season
— jade (@jadeykinsz) May 30, 2017

#DidItForTheAdrenalineRush Rang in sick for work and then binge-watched House of Cards.
— Daley Nixon (@DaleyNixon) May 30, 2017

Think I might be sick tomorrow. Cough. Cough. — watching House of Cards
— James Lindquist (@JWLindquist) May 31, 2017

Good morning #Toronto! Don't be surprised if some ppl in your office call in sick today... they're #bingewatching @HouseofCards! #Netflix pic.twitter.com/UqnGG1pmkO
— Lyndsey Vanstone (@VanstoneL) May 31, 2017

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