Jeremy Cohen – The Conversation

Shannon Rose, left, joined other demonstrators calling for Gov. Gavin Newsom to end the stay-at-home orders during a protest at the state capitol in Sacramento, Calif., on May 9, 2020. (AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli)

May 21, 2020

Cell tower vandals and re‑open protestors — why some people believe in coronavirus conspiracies

Jeremy Cohen, McMaster University

From political ideologies, conspiracy theories or “reopen” protests, when faced with uncertainty, we seek reassurance in the face of mortality through efforts at containment.

FOX News host Sean Hannity (pictured here in 2018) gave credibility to a tweet he read out lout on his popular syndicated radio show, which called COVID-19 a fraud “to spread panic in the populace, manipulate the economy and suppress dissent.” AP/Julie Jacobson

March 23, 2020

Coronavirus ‘cures’ for $170 and other hoaxes: Why some people believe them

Jeremy Cohen, McMaster University

Why have conspiracy theories so easily circulated during the COVID-19 pandemic? What do these theories tell us about societies and what challenges do they present?

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