Doctors Battling COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Spread By Celebrities And Anti-Vaxxers Online

Around the world, health organisations are working towards developing a vaccine for the devastating coronavirus, which has already claimed more than 150,000 lives globally.

A vaccine could protect high-risk populations, prevent the virus from spreading further, and would see international travel bans and lockdown rules lifted.



But anti-vaccine groups have taken to the internet with new conspiracy theories about the pandemic and a potential vaccine, leaving doctors battling both COVID-19 and ignorance online.

For decades, anti-vaccine groups have claimed that vaccines cause everything from allergies to autism and have actively campaigned against vaccinating children and adults.

Now, with a vaccine touted as the best hope for containing the coronavirus pandemic, anti-vaxxers are claiming the entire pandemic is a hoax designed by governments as a way to force mandatory vaccinations.

Others have suggested coronavirus testing is actually a secret DNA testing exercise.

As more anti-vaccine sentiment spreads online in response to the pandemic, Dr Harry Nespolon, the President of the The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, is urging Australians to "log off".

"Healthcare workers across Australia are working tirelessly and risking their own health to care for patients and save lives at risk from COVID-19," he told News.com.au.

"It makes this vital work a lot harder than it needs to be when celebrities with high profiles encourage people to ignore expert medical advice."



He pointed out that celebrities and social media personalities spreading "countless pseudoscientific cures and myths" are actually putting people at greater risk.

The online anti-vaccine community, especially those active on social media, have been critical of a potential vaccine and have openly contradicted mainstream medical health advice regarding the pandemic.

Celebrity chef Pete Evans, who has faced controversy for his health opinions before, recently shared an Instagram post questioning news outlets reporting on the virus, sparking anti-vaccine sentiment in his comments section.



In comments on his posts, followers insist the government and health organisations are "pushing for mandatory vaccines" and using COVID-19 to "force the vaccine agenda".

"We MUST resist any mandatory testing. This is the first step to them tracking and jabbing us. Not to mention they've then got your DNA," one commenter wrote on a recent post.

Evans also shared an alarming post earlier this month regarding the harmful and unproven conspiracy theory claiming to link 5G networks to COVID-19.

Meanwhile, Australian TV star Isabel Lucas lost a charity role for opposing "mandatory vaccination" and also commenting on the 5G conspiracy.



"Australians I implore you, if you see something on social media about a DNA gathering exercise occurring through coronavirus testing or COVID-19 not being a 'true pandemic' just log off and ignore them," Dr Nespolon said.

Dr Nespolon added that healthcare workers have "your best interests at heart", as demonstrated by the medical staff around the country working tirelessly to contain the pandemic.

Case numbers in Australia remain low in comparison to nations like the UK and US, with social distancing and lockdown restrictions helping prevent further spread.

Coronavirus: What you need to know

What is social distancing?

Social distancing involved minimising contact with people and maintaining a distance of over one metre between you and others.

When practicing social distancing, you should avoid public transport, limit non-essential travel, work from home and skip large gatherings.

It is okay to go outdoors. However, when you do leave home, avoid touching your face and frequently wash your hands.



If I'm young and healthy, do I still have to practice social distancing?

Yes. While older people are at higher risk of contracting COVID-19, young people are not immune. People that show mild or no symptoms may still pass the virus to others, particularly in the early stages of the infection, before many patients realise that they are sick.

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