Patrik Hermansson discusses the spread of conspiracy theories and denialism in the Coronavirus outbreak. Patrik discusses how the divergent theories related to the disease's development have shaped online, far-right spaces, leading to fractious conversations as conspiracy theorists catch the disease and get sick, or where competing theories contradict, and are forced to adapt.
The spread of these conspiracies is a good case study in how the far right uses misinformation and false narratives to spread it's hatred. Behind every conspiracy theory there is a conspirator, and too often behind the mask of 'them' there will lie a minority group- the object of their hatred.
The Covid 19 outbreak is an especially dangerous media environment, and we must be quick to resist these false narratives by working to build trust between vulnerable groups, the media and governments.