Outlandish theories peddled by anti-vaxxers about coronavirus vaccine to deter public before it even exists
At a time when the deadly novel coronavirus pandemic appears at its peak with over three million people infected across the world and thousands dead, anti-vaxxers have begun peddling conspiracy theories and misinformation about the virus and its vaccine — which does not even exist yet. Vaccine hesitancy groups' prominence on social media and their incessant spread of debunked wild theories have the potential to erode public confidence in the upcoming vaccines, which are currently being looked at as the only solution to ending this health crisis.
Here's an array of some of the prominent coronavirus vaccine-related theories doing the rounds on the internet:
COVID-19 is a fake pandemic
Ever since the initial outbreak of the coronavirus pandemic in the United States, vaccine hesitancy groups on multiple social media have been suggesting that the entire pandemic is not real and has been hyped by the media to spread panic. An anti-vaccination group, Oregonians for Healthcare Choice, on March 20, wrote on Facebook, saying: "If you’re still thinking it’s coincidental that a pandemic erupted in the midst of a state by state sweep to REMOVE your right to refuse vaccination, it’s time to get your head out of the sand." The group also posted a link to an article on a site called Green Med Info titled, “Op-Ed: Does the 2019 Coronavirus Exist?" The article argued that the coronavirus panic was based on an unproven RNA test and has not been connected to a virus.
Bill Gates is using a COVID-19 vaccine to implant microchips
A conspiracy theory emerged earlier this month on Facebook, falsely claiming that the Microsoft founder is planning to use coronavirus testing and a vaccine to track the movement of people with microchips. The theory emerged after the Gates Foundation, which has spent billions of dollars to lead a global fight against infectious diseases, advocated for expansion in testing and vaccine research. There's another conspiracy theory being spread by anti-vaxxers, claiming that the billionaire philanthropist wants to cull at least 15 percent of the world population through his vaccine — which again, has not been formulated yet.
The 5G Connection
One of the most prominent conspiracy theories around the coronavirus is the connection between 5G networks and coronavirus cases. The theory claims that when China began some of its 5G networks in November, nearly a month later hundreds fell sick of the mysterious disease which was later identified as COVID-19. The theory gained steam after the popular singer, Kerry Kilson, shared a tweet with her 4.2 million followers, writing: "People have been trying to warn us about 5G for years. Petitions, organizations, studies... what we're going through is the [e]ffects of radiation. 5G launched in China. November 1, 2019. People dropped dead." Several others alleged that videos of people fainting and falling on the ground in China were because 5G radio waves were affecting the blood oxygen levels of the public.
Dr. Anthony Fauci has ties to big pharma
The director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, Dr. Anthony Fauci, who is one of the most reliable figures in the United States for information on the novel coronavirus has been the center of multiple conspiracy theories over the past few months. Some of these theories suggest that he played a crucial role in creating the coronavirus, while some have alleged that the health expert has links to "big pharma" and had a financial stake in coronavirus vaccine development. There are also theories related to his alleged involvement in a "deep state" plot to destroy the American economy and affect the 2020 presidential elections.
The virus was made in Chinese lab
Perhaps the longest-standing conspiracy theory after the outbreak of the novel coronavirus in China is that some across the world have claimed that the virus actually originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, which was studying coronaviruses in bats. Experts have stated that the deadly virus likely originated from a wet market in Wuhan, and has possible links to bats. The theory was recently rejected by Dr. Fauci who said that suggested available evidence on the origins of the virus is "totally consistent with a jump of a species from an animal to a human." The expert cited a study by "a group of highly qualified evolutionary virologists" to refute the conspiracy theory.