Joel likely avoided becoming infected during the initial Cordyceps outbreak because of his specific food choices on the morning of the apocalypse, a subtle detail that aligns with the fungal infection's presumed origin.
The Subtle Clue: Joel's Food Choices
The underlying lore within the series suggests that the catastrophic Cordyceps fungal infection, which transformed much of humanity into infected creatures, primarily spread through contaminated food products. Specifically, the fungus mutated and made its way into global food supplies, particularly those based on common ingredients like flour, grains, or sugar.Breakfast Differences: A Matter of Survival
On the day the world changed, a critical scene highlights the dietary distinctions that may have saved Joel:| Character | Food Consumed (Morning of Outbreak) | Likelihood of Infection (Food-borne) |
|---|---|---|
| Joel Miller | Eggs, Bacon, Coffee | **Low** (Avoided flour-based items) |
| Sarah Miller | Pancakes (flour-based), juice | **High** (Direct consumption of contaminated food) |
| Tommy Miller | Pancakes (flour-based) | **High** (Direct consumption of contaminated food) |
While his daughter, Sarah, ate pancakes, a product almost certainly made with flour, Joel notably declined them, opting instead for a meal of eggs and bacon. This seemingly insignificant refusal inadvertently protected him from ingesting the contaminated ingredients that were likely infecting others around the globe. By avoiding these common, easily tainted food sources, Joel bypassed the primary vector for the Cordyceps infection during its initial devastating spread.
