As the COVID-19 continues to spread throughout the world, misinformation surrounding the coronavirus is also spreading at an alarming rate giving rise to many Conspiracy Theories.
Johannesburg, South Africa (03 November 2020) – Along with the rise of COVID-19 came a group of related, false conspiracy theories that range from the belief that 5G cell towers are spreading the virus to the myth that Bill Gates is working on a mind-control device to insert into vaccines.
The emergence of these inaccurate beliefs is giving new insight into how and why people turn to conspiracy theories as a way to cope during times of uncertainty, according to Emily Vraga – an Associate Professor studying controversial health, science, and political issues and how to correct misinformation on social media.
Katie Couric, a journalist at TIME, interviewed Emily Vraga about why conspiracy theories are so dangerous right now.
“Conspiracy theories fill in blanks that science can’t right now, or that science doesn’t have satisfying answers for,” Dr Vraga says. “People are frightened and alone. Misinformation gives them the illusion of control.”
Dr Vraga says that conspiracy theories are very dangerous right now because they offer false hope that can put people at risk. She points to social media as being a source for much of the misinformation that goes around, adding that there are studies that show that misinformation spread faster than accurate stories because it “has all these characteristics that call to our attention and encourage us to share it.”
“We need to take the time – an extra breath – when we consume information and make sure that it’s accurate because if we are misinformed… if we pursue behaviours that are dangerous… they aren’t just dangerous to ourselves, to our friends, to our family, to everyone we come in contact with, but also everyone working in the healthcare system, and everyone relying on the healthcare system.”
Watch the full interview here:
by 