How to talk to believers of COVID-19 conspiracy theories

[PamfromTx]

Conspiracy theories abound these days, some people are attracted to embracing such stories, and indeed it can be challenging to verify facts.

Just to clarify:

fact
/fakt/
noun
noun: fact; plural noun: facts

    a thing that is known or proved to be true.

Conspiracy theories about COVID-19 are causing real-world problems by discouraging some people from getting vaccinated, wearing masks or following other guidelines. Some bizarre theories about the virus have prompted believers to burn 5G cell towers, shut down vaccination clinics or even ingest poisons touted as cures.

Experts on misinformation and psychology interviewed by The Associated Press offer several tips for individuals wondering how to talk to friends or family who believe conspiracy theories about COVID-19. Here’s what they suggest:

LISTEN, DON’T PREACH: Believers in conspiracy theories aren’t likely to be swayed by people who mock their views. Instead of lecturing, listen and ask questions about how they became interested in the conspiracy theory, where they get their information, and whether they’ve considered other explanations. Whenever possible, have the conversation offline.

STAY CALM: Arguing with someone about conspiracy theories is likely to result only in higher blood pressure. Remember that some people won’t change their mind no matter what you say, and arguing over the proven benefits of mask wearing or vaccines isn’t likely to convince them.

BE WARY OF CONTENT THAT PLAYS ON EMOTIONS: Misinformation and conspiracy theories often exploit anger, fear or other emotions. Be cautious of content that features strongly emotional language, or that seems intended to make you outraged. If you read something that really gets you fired up, wait until your emotions have cooled before reposting or sending to friends.

As for increasing your own defenses against conspiracy theories and misinformation about the virus (or any other topic), experts suggest the following:

EXPAND YOUR MEDIA DIET: Checking a variety of news sources — including some mainstream local, national and international outlets — is the best way of staying informed and avoiding rabbit holes of misinformation and conspiracy theories. Don’t rely solely on social media for your news.

CHECK SOURCES: Look to see who wrote the content, and who is quoted in it. Are they named? Do they have a position, or experience, that lends credibility to their claims? Are other viewpoints expressed in the article? Be wary of claims made by “insiders,” anonymous internet posters or anyone citing hearsay as fact. Also, check the dates: Misinformation peddlers often post old photos or news stories and claim they’re new.

VERIFY EXTRAORDINARY CLAIMS: If you read something that makes an incredible claim — one that seems too good, too awful or too weird to be true — check to see if it’s being reported elsewhere. If it’s an important story, other outlets will confirm the details. Be cautious of explosive claims if they’re only being made on one website or by one social media user. apnews

Spot on with your post, @Nathan And one more thing, if I had wanted to debate, I would have joined a debate forum. Enough said.

 

[Aunt Marg]

 

[digifoss]

Some of the things posted in this thread are pretty far out and remind me of an episode of a weekly medical TV series I saw earlier this year. In the show, a woman, probably in her 50's was in the hospital with Wuhan Covid-19, and she was in real bad shape, dying actually, running fever, having difficulty breathing, she had all of the more common and worst sysmptoms of the sickness. She was on a ventilator and the nursing staff would only enter her room with a full rubber suit and self-contained breathing air. Yet this poor dying woman, anytime she was able to speak, her only words, while she was desperately gasping for air, would always be something to the effect of, "covid isn't real, it's all fake, it doesn't exist, there is no such disease, it's all a government conspiracy to control people, this is all a government hoax" etc... The airing of this episode was nothing more than a flagrant attempt by hollywood to associate everyone who doesn't like wearing a mask, or didn't get the vaccine, no matter the reason, with the woman in this show; to portray each and every one as some kind of right-wing whacko conspiracy theorist out of touch with reality. Their message was; Not getting the Wuhan-covid vaccine = you believe the virus doesn't exist.

 

[IrisSenior]

While I would admit that these kind of posts do illicit some response and if you have nothing to do and no where to go...well...it could be entertaining.

 

[Nathan]

The airing of this episode was nothing more than a flagrant attempt by hollywood to associate everyone who doesn't like wearing a mask, or didn't get the vaccine, no matter the reason, with the woman in this show; to portray each and every one as some kind of right-wing whacko conspiracy theorist out of touch with reality. Their message was; Not getting the Wuhan-covid vaccine = you believe the virus doesn't exist.

Sort of a public service announcement delivered in a fictional account.

 

[digifoss]

... fictional ...

and misleading....

 

[JonDouglas]

@JonDouglas , you seem to be an intelligent, educated person, you also seem to like "stirring the pot" with posts containing controversial(your words) material. So...be happy with and enjoy the reaction that you asked for.

I ask questions and am not afraid of controversy like some here. Those that went off on Attkinsson must be a little mystified to find out she has company in her questions about the source of covid, namely the current administration, the former head of MI6 and others. It would seem she isn't the one who is "slanted". I knew Attkinsson wasn't the only person investigating the Wuhan Lab theory but posted her first to see who would holler foul. Well, I found out. Thank you.

 

[Sunny]

Their message was; Not getting the Wuhan-covid vaccine = you believe the virus doesn't exist.

That may sound insane now digifoss, but many of the same people who are refusing to get the vaccine did deny a year ago that the virus was real, or that the disease was serious. Not all, of course, and there are all sorts of reasons that people have for not getting the vaccine. (But those of us who did get it have an enormous sense of relief!)

There were not really all sorts of reasons for believing that the virus was not serious. People believed it because that's what they were told. At least, that bit of nonsense has mainly gone away. The death figures do not lie.

BTW, there is no such disease as Wuhan-covid, and no vaccine by that name. That's rabble-rousing politics once again. How about just calling the disease covid, or covid-19? Maybe then we could have a serious discussion about it.

 

[JonDouglas]

That may sound insane now digifoss, but many of the same people who are refusing to get the vaccine did deny a year ago that the virus was real, or that the disease was serious. Not all, of course, and there are all sorts of reasons that people have for not getting the vaccine. (But those of us who did get it have an enormous sense of relief!)

There were not really all sorts of reasons for believing that the virus was not serious. People believed it because that's what they were told. At least, that bit of nonsense has mainly gone away. The death figures do not lie.

BTW, there is no such disease as Wuhan-covid, and no vaccine by that name. That's rabble-rousing politics once again. How about just calling the disease covid, or covid-19? Maybe then we could have a serious discussion about it.

If I recall correctly, covid-19 isn't serious for most people but can be extraordinarly serious for the compromised and elderly. Separating media sensationalism from reality, as hard as it can be sometimes, adds perspective. Most of the people I know who've had the vaccine, including me, do not have an enormous sense of relief, mostly because we weren't all that anxious to begin with.

 

[Mr. Ed]

All the evidence of a great post, contrary responses, anger, human emotions and continued discourse.

 

[Nathan]

I ask questions and am not afraid of controversy like some here. Those that went off on Attkinsson must be a little mystified to find out she has company in her questions about the source of covid, namely the current administration, the former head of MI6 and others. It would seem she isn't the one who is "slanted". I knew Attkinsson wasn't the only person investigating the Wuhan Lab theory but posted her first to see who would holler foul. Well, I found out. Thank you.

The fact that Attkinsson's slanted reporting wasn't the issue with me, the main concern was your attempt to present such material as factual.

I knew Attkinsson wasn't the only person investigating the Wuhan Lab theory but posted her first to see who would holler foul. Well, I found out. Thank you.

How clever, apparently in your mind you thought you had set some kind of trap, that's amusing.

By the way- your welcome.

 

[JonDouglas]

The fact that Attkinsson's slanted reporting wasn't the issue with me, the main concern was your attempt to present such material as factual.


How clever, apparently in your mind you thought you had set some kind of trap, that's amusing.

By the way- your welcome.

No intended trap. Attkinson was first on my list, simply because she seemed the most dogged. Post responses are revealing. If nobody had gotten their political panties in a wad, we'd probably be having a different conversation.

Added Note: As a matter of course, I see who gets upset at things I post.

 

[Irwin]

I love a good debate and have changed my mind on some topics in the past when I saw someone else's point of view or some verifiable facts that I was unaware of.

The problem with most conspiracy theorists, though, is they have their own set of "facts" that have no grounding in reality.

 

[JonDouglas]

I love a good debate and have changed my mind on some topics in the past when I saw someone else's point of view or some verifiable facts that I was unaware of.

The problem with most conspiracy theorists, though, is they have their own set of "facts" that have no grounding in reality.

That, of course, begs the question as to what's real, what isn't and who is the judge of what is or isn't. Can you tell us your answer to that?

 

[Judycat]

I don't want to talk to them.

 

[Nathan]

No intended trap. Attkinson was first on my list, simply because she seemed the most dogged. Post responses are revealing. If nobody had gotten their political panties in a wad, we'd probably be having a different conversation.

Added Note: As a matter of course, I see who gets upset at things I post.

I had never heard of Attkinson, but I must say the video was long on allegations and short on facts. While that type of journalism appeals to the uninformed and gullible, there are those of us who demand a bit more substance.

In case you've forgotten which thread you've posted in, it's the "How to talk to believers of COVID-19 conspiracy theories"...which I posted as a necessary measure in dealing with authors such as yourself.
As you mention- "Post responses are revealing"....it doesn't take a crystal ball jockey to see the motivation behind posts of a controversial nature.

 

[Nathan]

People in this forum have posted crazy conspiracy theories as "facts." I prefer not to have any interaction with them, whatsoever. The same goes for real life. I have a neighbor that believes the crap propagated on cable "news." I hate to be rude, but he's annoying as hell, and I've gotten to the point where I just walk away rather than try to be "nice."

Agreed, the desire to set the record straight tends to get smothered in the process of attempting to cut through the intricate web of FAKE reality that such conspiracy addicts have cloaked their brain cells with. Walking away is just easier on the blood pressure....