In Helldivers 2, certain emotes reduce fall damage by causing the character to go rigid, eliminating the ragdoll effect upon impact with the ground. This change in posture redistributes the force of the fall, resulting in less damage taken.
The Helldivers 2 community has had a mixed reaction to the mid-air hugs bug. Some players find it amusing and want it to be preserved, while others believe it should be fixed since it's a bug that affects the game's proper functioning. The game's CEO, Shams Jorjani, has expressed his desire to keep the bug in the game, but it remains to be seen how the developers will ultimately address the issue.
Arrowhead may choose to fix the bug, leave it in as an unintentional feature, or potentially incorporate it as an official gameplay mechanic. The decision will depend on the developer's vision for the game and community feedback.