To the editor:

The severity of a national or international crisis can be roughly gauged by the number of bizarre and unfounded conspiracy theories that purport to explain it — theories that play to people’s anxiety, fears, superstitions and ignorance.

Thoroughly discredited by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, physician and researcher Judy Mikovits claims the coronavirus is “activated” by protective masks and Dr. Anthony Fauci is involved in a sinister “deep state” plot using the COVID-19 pandemic to seize the national government and profit from a vaccine to control the virus. The bogus vaccine, Mikovits notes, will “kill millions.” Many, if not most, adherents of this conspiracy perspective believe that only Donald Trump stands in the way of a “deep state” takeover of the United States.

Convicted — then pardoned — former Trump advisor Roger Stone stated that Bill Gates may have created the coronavirus to market a vaccine containing a microchip-size surveillance device to keep tabs on every person who receives it. The vaccine (containing monkey brains, according to some) is a key factor in the CIA’s plan to dominate the world. This inane science fiction scenario plays into the hands of anti-vaccine proponents and could well have significant consequences for controlling the pandemic in this country. In May of this year, a CNN poll found that one-third of Americans said they would not get a vaccine against COVID-19 even if it were widely available and low cost.

The longer this health crisis lasts, the greater the cost to the economy as well as the number of lives needlessly lost.

George J. Bryjak

Bloomingdale 

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Sources:

Aleem, Z (July 26, 2020) “Covid-19 conspiracy theories are being fed by institutions meant to inform the public.” Vox. www.vox.com 

Cohen, E. and D. Vigue (Aug. 13, 2020) “U.S. government slow to act as anti-vaxxers spread lies on social media about coronavirus vaccine,” CNN, www.cnn.com 

Karimi, F. and S. Almasy (Aug. 13, 2020) “The CDC issues a dire warning for the fall if coronavirus measures are not followed,’ CNN, www.cnn.com