Nut Jobs and Conspiracy Theories

Theory 1

My Dad is convinced that Covid-19 was a product of Chinese invention to ruin the global economy or at least a bio-weapon that accidentally got out into the world. 

What a load of rubbish, drivel, and nonsense. At least that what I thought at first until I dug a little deeper and channeled my inner Sherlock Holmes. 

Is it a coincidence that Wuhan is home to the Institute of Virology – a Microbiology Laboratory. Did you know that in 2005 this lab discovered coronavirus off Horseshoe Bats found in Yunnan cave located around 1500km from Wuhan. That distance is around 19 hours by car and I’m sure a colony of bats decided to fly in search of a brighter city future. 

The connection seems strange and let’s mention that the lab is situated less than 10 miles away from the seafood market, the supposed epicentre for the epidemic. 

Rating of validity – 4/5

Theory 2

A conspiracy theory linking 5G technology to the outbreak of the coronavirus is quickly gaining momentum, with celebrities including actor Woody Harrelson promoting the idea. But the theory is also getting a boost from what some researchers say is a coordinated disinformation campaign.

In recent days there have been suspected arson attacks on mobile phone masts in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Merseyside. 

However, after extensive research, I have concluded that there is no validation for this conspiracy. 

Rating of validity – 1/5

Theory 3

The last theory that could be counted as a conspiracy is the one that is viewed as the common truth. That a wet market sold some bats that contained Covid-19 that was then ingested by someone from the human population (obviously). 

Such markets pose a heightened risk of viruses jumping from animals to humans because hygiene standards are difficult to maintain if live animals are being kept and butchered on-site. Typically, they are also densely packed allowing the disease to spread from species to species.

However, Bats were not sold at the Wuhan market but may have infected live chickens or other animals sold there. So this does seem like a point of contention and could be the thread that pulls the theory to the floor. 

Rating of validity 4/5

We all love a good conspiracy theory. I’ve gone down the youtube hole lots of times watching how Avril Lavigne was replaced, the pyramids were built by aliens and my personal favourite – the moon landing was a hoax. 

However, I don’t feel like any of this matters. How we dissect the situation does not change our current circumstances. You can believe whatever theory piques your interest but we are in the midst of the most remarkable event in modern history. I won’t be surprised if my children are given this as a topic for their History GCSE.

There is some good news. Wuhan has now been released from quarantine and has reported no new active cases of Covid-19. At least the official report says. I sense a conspiracy.