Don’t fall for Mickey Mouse theories about coronavirus like these – Steve Cardownie

As conspiracy theorists come up with a host of fake news about the Covid-19 coronavirus – such as it came from outer space, is an escaped bioweapon, or is being spread by the 5G network – we should all stick to trustworthy sources of information, writes Steve Cardownie.

Mickey can’t bear to look as conspiracy theorists blame DisneyPlus for the pandemic (Picture: Getty)

This Morning host Eamonn Holmes’s crass statements (which he has since tried to distance himself from) suggesting that 5G cannot be ruled out as the source of Covid-19, despite the scientific evidence to the contrary, serves to highlight just how conspiracy theories can take hold, particularly when they are repeated by so-called celebrities.

As a presenter on a popular ­morning TV news programme he has a responsibility to ensure that he does not legitimise such bizarre claims, particularly when we are in the throes of a pandemic which is wreaking havoc throughout the globe. Scientists have dismissed any link between the virus and 5G, explicitly stating that it is a physical and biological impossibility.

But what of the other incredible claims currently doing the rounds regarding the virus on the net? There is no shortage of unfounded theories and ‘treatments’, some of which have sadly gained a small foothold but which do not stand up to scrutiny. Many are nothing short of ludicrous. Such as, Covid-19 was transported to Earth via a fireball from outer space which broke up in China last October, or that it was released to coincide with the launch of DisneyPlus – a Mickey Mouse theory if ever there was one!

Another that has gained some traction is that it was caused by a bioweapon and that a vaccine already exists but is being held back until the conditions are such that it will yield a maximum profit to the private pharmaceutical company that holds it, when it is put on the market. The bioweapon theory has even been given credence by some sections of the media, with The Washington Times reporting that the virus may have originated in a Chinese laboratory and may be linked to China’s “covert biological weapons programme”.

Misinformation damaging response to virus

This type of misinformation has caused so much concern that the head of the World Health Organisation released a statement saying: “At WHO, we’re not just battling the virus, we’re also battling the trolls and conspiracy theorists that push misinformation and undermine the outbreak response.”

A statement compiled by scientists from eight countries said that conspiracy theories suggesting that Covid-19 does not have a natural origin “do nothing but create fear, rumours and prejudice that jeopardise our global collaboration in the fight against this virus”.

The conspiracy theorists are still at work as Tom Cotton, a United States Republican senator, said on Fox News as late as last week that he did not believe that the virus originated in a Wuhan market, saying that a bioweapons link should not be dismissed.

It does not stop there, however, with other claims being made that any ­vaccine which is developed will be mandatory and will include a microchip (designed by Bill Gates) that would be implanted under the skin that would allow “humans to be controlled”.

Reckless and dangerous

At the time of writing, there have been nearly two million cases of coronavirus worldwide resulting in more than 120,000 deaths, with over 450,000 being recorded as recovered, so the scale of the problem is there for all to see, particularly when the impact on health services and their ability to cope is taken into account.

With the world’s population desperately waiting for a cure in the shape of a vaccine, the peddlers of wild, unfounded accusations are acting in a reckless and dangerous manner, capitalising on people’s fears and concerns, and their claims should be discounted.

This pandemic has proven to have disastrous consequences for some but contracting Covid-19 is not a death sentence and, whilst its horrendous impact cannot be understated, the vast majority will emerge at the other side.

One thing, however is sure – we can ill-afford to be diverted by malicious rumours intent on creating mischief and discord. Rather we should look to trusted media outlets for facts rather than internet sites that promote fabrications.