The futility of conspiracy theories

My father was a bit of a ‘better to be safe than sorry' kind of person. Never a big risk-taker, and most certainly not uncalculated risks, I inherited a little bit of his caution, but I am much more willing to try things and take risks. In fact, on the spectrum of taking risks, we are quite a way apart. If Covid had arrived a few decades before now his approach would I’m sure be the same - wear a mask, wash hands, don’t touch anyone, stand apart and follow the rules.

From the early days of Covid, I was of the opinion that I didn't know enough about it to make any kind of judgement, and whilst there were those eminently more qualified to offer an opinion, I would just heed their advice, follow the rules, and wait and see, even as just a precaution - better to be safe than sorry kind of approach. Not much distance between my father and I in this regard but it's Covid and I'm not looking to be some kind of revolutionary hero on this occasion.

Because of that approach, I among many, have been described as sheep. I have been called worse and as a fan of Shaun the Sheep, I don’t take much offence of such an arbitrary label. Shaun the Sheep is one my heroes for his clever endeavours, expert leadership skills and his uncanny knack of getting out of tight situations. If ever there was a sheep to look up to, then Shaun would be one!

Since the early days of Covid, I have had many debates on-line about the use of masks, restrictions, lockdowns, how it transmits, the logic behind certain decisions, etc. The problem though is that at times it feels like a waste of time, but it is absolutely necessary. The dangers of self-appointed experts who throw caution to the wind - the anti-masker, anti-vaxxer freedom fighters who continue to this day to question the advice of actual experts.

I'm all for freedom of speech and someone's right to assert credible claims but the problem with posting opinions, and memes, and articles from questionable sources and discredited individuals is that it reaffirms beliefs and opinion of people that are not fully informed, nor have had their assertions tested or properly critiqued.

This results in people taking unnecessary risks, and in the worst-case scenario, individuals losing their lives. In this regard, I refer to the death of one particular individual, that 'bought into' a covid conspiracy and paid for it with his life, i.e. Gary Matthews. Like many who have indeed only realised it was real as their impending death loomed large, you can't then go direct to the after-life and say, 'Hey (Insert name), sorry old chum for your untimely passing, we did try to warn you but you wouldn't listen.' It's of course to late then.

Sadly, the anti-masker, anti-vaxxer freedom fighters bear no responsibility, nor are they accountable to anyone for how they might have influenced the mindset of someone, someone who hadn't it within them to distinguish between fact and fiction, for any number of reasons. Sticks and stones may indeed break your bones, but words are truly dangerous!

It's like the political leader who incites the crowd but absolves himself from any responsibility in the aftermath of a riotous situation, when individuals end up in jail or are fined for disturbing the peace. Said political leader carries on regardless and most certainly doesn't pick up the fine for those who took it upon themselves to trash the place.

Even at this stage, more than a year into our war with covid, there are still some that post on social media that Covid is fake. I see there are those who question the stories of front-line staff about the reality of covid. There are still those who endeavour to create hysteria about vaccines, determined that any small issue that might arise, anywhere in the world, should be exploited to prove a point so as to give credence to their assertions that it’s all part of some great conspiracy.

I see there are those that continuously take pot shots at experts and politicians when they themselves would fare no better if they were in that very same position. For whilst it is true that all politicians will face many tough questions when this all passes, let’s be honest, we are all trying to navigate our way through these very tough times.

Most of us are trying to be patient, trying to see the proverbial light at the end of the tunnel, trying to keep a lid on it, trying to get by from week-to-week without the untimely and ill-informed musings of those whose only care is to lambast, berate and ridicule others for solely selfish reasons, or to prove a point, or to have the opportunity to say, 'see, didn't I tell you what they were trying to do.'

Our trying to make it through and not turn on others most certainly does not make us sheep! It also doesn't mean we endorse certain political positions, or that we trust politicians any more than we did before covid emerged. It just means we are trying to get by and we choose our fights carefully!

And if it isn't the assertion that we are all sheep, then it's the call to 'wake up,' as if we are all blind to reality. Some are of course, but some choose to prioritise other battles, some have battled already over the years and have decided to battle no more, and some are just tired!

I appeal to all of those who continue to peddle the narrative that covid is fake, or that we are all sheep because we take precautions, or that we choose not to join you in your crusade, to really think about your next post in this direction.

If not for you, then for someone else. It might be the difference between them living or dying.