Any student enrolled in English 101P, 101, 102, or 112 during Spring 2015 through Spring 2016 may submit an essay of any kind on any topic. There are no length limits for this category. Matthew Ostapovich wrote the 2nd place submission in the First-Year Writing category for the 2021 President’s Writing Awards.
About Matthew
Hello! My name is Matthew Ostapovich and I am from Roseville, California. Currently, I am a first-year student working towards a degree in Biology with a Cellular, Molecular, and Biomedical emphasis as well as a minor in Psychology. I chose to pursue a degree in Biology because life sciences have always come easy to me and it is a subject that keeps me interested and engaged. With that, I hope to continue my education by going to medical school and start a career in either the speciality of Neurology or Dermatology. When I am not studying, I am often spending time outside with friends playing football, hiking, or just exploring downtown Boise and the surrounding area. I am also very interested in aviation and will be pursuing my private pilots license while I am here in Boise.
Understanding COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Listicle
Conspiracy theories are the refuge of the disempowered. ~ Roger Cohen
After several long months, COVID-19 is a name people never want to hear again. The disease has devastated people’s lives, contributing to mass unemployment, higher poverty rates, and overall confusion and chaos. In drawn out social crises, such as this one, it is easy to lose faith and becomes harder and harder to accept being dependent on the government for information and oftentimes, help. As a result, those who uniquely believe they see a different side of the issue emerge and begin to share their thoughts and ideas. Here we examine some of the most popular theories in today’s world, backed by the three main motives of conspiracies, regarding the infamous COVID-19.
Motives
- Epistemic motives – Perhaps one of the easiest explanations for conspiracy theory belief. According to psychology researchers at the University of Kent, in order to build a stable, accurate, and consistent understanding of the world, humans need to find casual explanations for everyday events. This creates the reality that we know and allows us to learn from things foreign to us previously. When we cannot find reliable explanations for events that is when humans begin to form and accept theories. Theories believed through epistemic motives are fueled when information is unavailable, information is conflicting, and by the desire to find meaning behind random events. Theories fueled by epistemic motives include the belief that anyone trying to debunk them, is a part of the conspiracy themselves.
- Existential motives – These serve as the need to make people feel safe and secure in their environment as well as have control over what’s happening around them. Conspiracy beliefs under these motives allow people to feel safe by recognizing dangerous and untrustworthy individuals or information thereby reducing or neutralizing the threat. Research conducted by the University of Kent proves that many are likely to turn to conspiracy theories when they feel anxious and powerless. Experiments have also proved that belief in conspiracies is increased when people feel unable to control outcomes and decreased when the sense of control is affirmed.
- Social motivations – Defined by the desire to belong and to maintain a positive self and group image. It is suggested that conspiracy theories validate the self and a group by allowing blame for negative outcomes to be put on others. In that case, theories will be appealing to those finding their self or group image threatened. Exclusion for long periods of time, supported by research from the University of Kent, causes people to believe in superstitions and conspiracy theories much for those reasons of self image. People on the disadvantaged side are often more likely to believe in conspiracy theories for the same reasons, group image and validation. Through social motivated beliefs, it is likely most theories are recruited defensively, to relieve the self from a feeling of guilt for their disadvantaged position. Groups who feel victimized are more likely to endorse theories about powerful out-groups.
Theories
- The virus escaped a Chinese lab – Probably one of the most common theories among people in the early stages of COVID-19. The pathogen, without humans knowing much information about it, first came to be in Wuhan, China. As a result, many took to calling it the “Chinese virus” with our previous President, Donald Trump, claiming it started in a lab without much evidence to support that claim. U.S. intelligence agencies have since denied that claim, stating there is no evidence to support that COVID-19 was man-made or genetically modified. It should also be noted that although the lab Donald Trump claimed the virus to be from was located in China, it is not a Chinese lab. Research conducted at the University of Pennsylvania Public Policy Center shows that as age increases and education levels increase, people were less likely to believe it was an engineered virus. However, those that identify as conservative, were more likely to believe it was engineered than the opposing pro-science liberals. People seem to believe this theory because it provides them with a scapegoat country for all of the suffering and economic fallout COVID-19 has caused. Lab accidents can happen but scientists have concluded before that it is highly unlikely.
- COVID-19 was created for biological warfare – Not only do people believe that it escaped from a lab, but extremists also believe it was intentionally created for biological warfare. Originating in China and spreading throughout the world, many people believe the mass casualties were intentional. A survey done by Pew Research Center proves that out of the people that believe COVID-19 was made in a lab, more than triple of the people that believe it was accidental, believe it was intentional. The theory that this virus was intentional with the possibility of being weaponized is particularly pleasing for the political right. United States Senator Tom Cotton of Arkansas amplified this theory first in a highly conservative media outlet where he stated the lab in which COVID-19 supposedly was released, “is linked to Beijing’s covert bio-weapons program”. This theory has since been proven wrong by genetic sequencing proving that the new virus has natural origins originating in bats.
- COVID-19 is all a plot by Big Pharma – It is no secret that Big Pharma houses some of the richest and greediest people in the world. They profit off of ordinary peoples medical needs and the important medications used to remain comfortable or healthy. People have even gone as far to say National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases director, Anthony Fauci, as well as Microsoft co-founder and now philanthropist, Bill Gates, are using their power along with the virus to profit from a COVID-19 vaccine. Conspiracists targeting Big Pharma either go after the plot that conventional medicines hurt rather than help us, or, medicines and vaccines are provided just for financial gain. Survey insight provided by the University of Pennsylvania Public Policy Center proves that with age, education, and income increase, the less likely one is to believe in a Big Pharma conspiracy. Theories like these have since been proven wrong because there is no evidence of financial gain by prominent figures and it has been said this virus was not intentional. Wealthy figures are often the target of conspiracy theories because of their money and their influence they have on people.
- The government is trying to control us – Arguments about masks including “It’s a sign of submission to the government!”, “It’s my constitutional right to breathe free air!”, “Mask’s deplete blood oxygen levels!” are rampant after months of dealing with this pandemic. While public health officials urge people to wear masks to limit the transmission, many prominent figures have refused, thus giving the sense that masks don’t work. Those figures include many mayors, governors, and even our own President. In a survey conducted by the Center for Disease Control with a total of 1,676 participants country wide, only 925 said they always wear a mask when in public. The rest ranged from often, to never. The claim that masks don’t work has been proven multiple times wrong. Masks have been long known to prevent transmission among those infected and uninflected. Analysis of over 170 studies published by Lancet proves that face masks do prevent COVID-19 transmissions. People seem to believe the idea that masks don’t work because early information from the CDC and WHO was often inconsistent and at times, contradicting. People responded to the quick consensus that masks do work as an encroachment on their civil rights as well as a plan to be controlled by the government.
- The COVID-19 vaccine will be unsafe – With all the scientific and medical achievements in today’s world, anti-vaxxers are not a rare sight to see. Whether it be for the optional flu shot or the required school shots, skepticism on what vaccines actually do to the body is a debate for many. This is no different for the COVID-19 vaccine. Due to Bill Gates’ most recent contributions and pledges of millions of dollars to vaccine development, many now believe the vaccine is a plan to implant trackable microchips. The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has since stated that claim is false but skeptics are still unsure of the “digital certificates” of vaccination Bill Gates had talked about in an interview. In a recent poll conducted by Gallup, a non-biased high factual reporting site, 35% of those surveyed said they would not get a vaccine with that number rising among the political right. Vaccines save millions of lives every year and before it can even get approved, it must go through three phases of clinical tests including large numbers of people. While there is good reason to be cautions about the safety of new vaccines, pharmaceutical companies have pledged to stand with science and not release a vaccine until it has been proven safe and effective.
- 5G is to blame for COVID-19 – While shocking and easy to debunk, it is still a popular theory many believe. It may seem crazy to those familiar about the science of viruses or electromagnetics but what makes conspiracy theories enticing is all timing. The fast introduction and rollout of 5G networks all around the world around the same time as COVID-19 made for a rapid connection between the two. However, it is biologically impossible for viruses or bacteria to spread using 5G waves (electromagnetic spectrums). The World Health Organization confirms this adding, “COVID-19 is spreading in many countries that do not have 5G mobile networks.”. Even with the debunking, extremists in the UK have gone as far as burning cell towers in defense.
- GMO’s are to blame for COVID-19 – While it may sound shocking, this theory is popular among the anti-biotech community. Genetically modified organisms have become an important part of human life and survival. GMOs are used to produce food, crops, medicines, and vaccines. The thought behind this theory, according to Cornell’s Alliance for Science, “GM crops cause genetic contamination that can allow viruses to proliferate and spread between species”, this theory has since been proven wrong but is still believed by many. Another viewpoint believes that when genetically modified soy is used as animal feed, it hybridizes with the viruses in animal guts to create super viruses such as COVID-19. Ironically, GMO’s are a crucial part of vaccines given they utilize weaker viruses or the antigens produced by genetically modified insects or plants.
- While we may never know how long this pandemic will continue for, it is important to remain observant and cautious when navigating times like these. Conspiracy theories have been around and will continue to be around but beware in getting consumed by one and revolving your life around it. Be conscious of possible internal biases and seek out information from multiple sources and platforms whenever possible. Trust science, but trust your instincts.
Works Cited
Douglas, Karen M., Robbie M. Sutton, and Aleksandra Cichocka. “The psychology of conspiracy theories.” Current directions in psychological science 26.6 (2017): 538-542. Paragraphs 1-3
Oleksy, Tomasz, et al. “Content matters. Different predictors and social consequences of general and government-related conspiracy theories on COVID-19.” Personality and Individual Differences 168 (2020): 110289. Paragraph 1-3
Romer, Daniel, and Kathleen Hall Jamieson. “Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the US.” Social Science & Medicine 263 (2020): 113356. Paragraph 4 and 6
Schaeffer, Katherine. “Nearly Three-in-Ten Americans Believe COVID-19 Was Made in a Lab.” Pew Research Center, Pew Research Center, 17 Aug. 2020, www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2020/04/08/nearly-three-in-ten-americans-believe-covid-19-was-made-in-a-lab/. Paragraph 4 and 5
“COVID-19 Mythbusters.” World Health Organization, 23 Nov. 2020, www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/advice-for-public/myth-busters#5g. Paragraph 9
Lynas, Mark. “COVID: Top 10 Current Conspiracy Theories.” Alliance for Science, 20 Apr. 2020, http://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/04/covid-top-10-current-conspiracy-theories. Paragraph 4, 5, 6, 9
Lewis, Tanya. “Eight Persistent COVID-19 Myths and Why People Believe Them.” Scientific American, 12 Oct. 2020, www.scientificamerican.com/article/eight-persistent-covid-19-myths-and-why-people-believe-them/. Paragraph 4-8
Tynan, Michael A. “Public Attitudes, Behaviors, and Beliefs Related to COVID-19, Stay-at-Home Orders, Nonessential Business Closures, and Public Health Guidance – United States, New York City, and Los Angeles, May 5–12, 2020.” Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 19 June 2020, https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/volumes/69/wr/mm6924e1.htm Paragraph 7
O’Keefe, Shannon Mullen. “One in Three Americans Would Not Get COVID-19 Vaccine.” Gallup, 23 Nov. 2020, https://news.gallup.com/poll/317018/one-three-americans-not-covid-vaccine.aspx Paragraph 8
Conrow, Joan. “COVID Crisis Captivates Conspiracy Theorists.” Alliance for Science, 30 Mar. 2020, https://allianceforscience.cornell.edu/blog/2020/03/covid-crisis-captivates-conspiracy-theorists/. Paragraph 10
English, Cameron, and Kevin Folta. “Podcast: GMOs to Blame for Coronavirus? Catching COVID-19 Twice; Junk Studies Fuel Biotech Skepticism.” Genetic Literacy Project, 9 Apr. 2020, geneticliteracyproject.org/2020/04/09/podcast-gmos-to-blame-for-coronavirus-catching-covid-19-twice-junk-studies-fuel-biotech-skepticism/. Paragraph 10