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?
- They have the rush of an unexpected outcome (worldwide dictatorship)
- They have concrete details (chips/trackers inserted via vaccines)
- 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)
- It’s a great story to tell anyone