By Cassie Kim
Everyone loves a good conspiracy: Hitler is still alive somewhere, Buzzfeed Unsolved stories, the Illuminati, and my personal favorite, the moon landing was faked. The reason I take issue with conspiracy theories, especially health related ones, is that they spread dangerous lies that put people’s safety at risk. The current Coronavirus pandemic has been a breeding ground for more baseless conspiracy theories to take flight. Since the start of the virus, I have heard many different, but equally insane theories, ranging from blaming 5G and Bill Gates for the spread of the virus to claiming that the virus isn’t real at all. These radical and honestly ridiculous conspiracy theories are much more dangerous than they may seem on the surface, as they quickly spread misinformation, especially via social media like Facebook. Believers of the 5G conspiracy claim that the waves which 5G towers emit actually spread the virus or mimic symptoms of the virus. Basic science debunks these ridiculous claims, but this has not stopped conspiracists from setting fire to 5G towers in the UK and in other European countries. A plethora of internet videos from novice journalists show footage of empty hospitals and nonexistent lines at testing centers. An inaccurate portrayal of conditions in hospitals and centers, these videos demoralize people in healthcare who risk their lives everyday and all of the work they have put into treating the virus. Doctors and other healthcare professionals feel disheartened when they get off of a full day of emotionally exhausting work and see posts questioning the legitimacy of the virus. States Hadi Halazun, a New York cardiologist, “I left work and I felt so deflated. I let it get to me." Conspiracy theories have also been harmful to the general public; protesters calling for the reopening of states claim that the government is using the virus as a way to take away their basic human rights. Staying inside and isolated is key to reducing the impact of the virus, so the absurd messages that the protesters spread directly impacts the exponential spread of the virus. Positive thinking is essential to staying sane during the shelter in place, so negative conspiracy theories have been absolutely destructive to the success of communities in the face of the virus.