The anti-covid/vaccine crew

Yesterday I randomly met a guy on the beach (mid-autumn, I know) here in Italy (yes, I know) and, as soon as he approached me, I was a little bit shocked by the fact that he was not wearing a mask and he came out of nowhere started asking me if I was from Spain. I smiled at him and told him a little bit about my reasons for being there and he invited me a coffee, which I accepted because coffee is always a total go for me, no matter what.

As soon as the conversation started of course we reached the covid-19 topic, which now is as frequent as talking about the weather with strangers, and he emphasized his belief about society being controlled and prepared for a massive dictatorship, he also assured me that this was a seasonal flue masked as a mortal illness just for installing fear in the population. I would just zip my coffee trying to understand what I was doing and whom I was talking with.

As you know, covid-19 hit hard on Italy with more than 44 thousand deads this year and a big economic impact. Within the first covid-19 wave, the population stayed frightened in their houses and respected a total lockdown here in Italy. But now, facing the second wave, people seem tired and skeptical, even more, lots of people are manifesting against government measures.

I was just very curious about his certainty and his political statement of not wearing a mask because of this. Inside I was like “OMG please wear a mask while we speak! can’t you see that I’m wearing it?” but I couldn’t say that, instead I finished my coffee and waved goodbye.

But why these conspiracy theories stick so much into large groups of people?

1. They have the rush of an unexpected outcome (worldwide dictatorship)
2. They have concrete details (chips/trackers inserted via vaccines)
3. Produce emotional impact (it does feel like you live in a movie where the world is finishing and you have to learn how to survive making your own bunker)
4. It’s a great story to tell anyone