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With the second wave of the pandemic creating major problems in the country, which are in fact reflected in the daily number of sick and dead, the authorities have sounded the alarm by taking almost new packages every day for fear of the collapse of the health system .
However, alongside the coronavirus, another pandemic has developed that is spreading, if not faster, certainly at the same speed. This is the conspiracy theories pandemic, which is achieved through the spread of fake news and misinformation.
These conspiracy theories range from Γ Bill Gates and the chip that will implant the vaccine, to 5G antennas, where… in the areas where they have been installed, a rapid increase in coronavirus cases has been observed.
In fact, the spread of these conspiracies intensifies concern and is a determining factor that pushes many not to follow the measures and to spread the coronavirus resulting in an increase in cases.
Greece ranks second after conspiracy theorists
The Guardian newspaper reveals that, according to a survey conducted in countries where people believe that the authorities, most likely, are “deliberately exaggerating and increasing the number of deaths from coronavirus”, Greece ranks second, after… Nigeria.
In particular, according to official figures, the coronavirus is responsible for the deaths of more than 1.1 million people, but one of the most widespread conspiracy theories in recent months claims that this number is … inflated. This is exactly what, according to the survey, 46% of Greeks believe.
The first place, with the most skeptical, is occupied by Nigeria, with a negative death rate from viruses reaching 59%.
Nigeria and Greece are followed by South Africa, Mexico and the United States, where respondents are skeptical about the death toll published by the authorities.
“Any horrible event, such as a pandemic or mass murder, that causes people to lose their sense of control will lead to conspiracy theories,” explains Stephan Lewandowsky, a professor of psychology at the University of Bristol who specializes in disinformation.
They give people an illusion of comfort: the feeling that they are not at the mercy of chance. “They are dangerous at all times, but even more so in the midst of a pandemic, to the extent that they can make citizens ignore official recommendations or commit acts of violence and vandalism.”
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