While the Internet has helped us connect and share important information during the global pandemic, it has also given a platform to people who insist on sharing harmful misinformation – like former Home and Away actress, Isabel Lucas and celebrity chef, Pete Evans.
Earlier this week, Evans claimed that a $15,000 lamp could help stop coronavirus. It wasn’t long before the Australian Medical Association slammed Evans’ claims as complete bullsh*t, but despite the backlash, there were some who ran to the controversial chef’s defense.
Isabel Lucas responded to Evans’ video, “Freedom of choice is every human’s right. I don’t trust the path of vaccination.”
It’s not the first time Lucas has copped criticism for her bold statements. The actress’s Instagram has a whole highlight dedicated to the conspiracy theory that 5G is to blame for COVID-19.
Speaking of crazy COVID claims, hear about all the misguided cures and causes below:
In a series of stories, Lucas wrote, “If we know that electro microwave radiation is an immune suppressant…Do you also feel it would be wiser to at least put a pause on the installation of the prolific amount of 5G towers that are being installed whilst we are in lockdown?”
In a later post, Lucas shared a screenshot of a YouTube link Pete Evans posted to Facebook about 5G posing potential health risks. She added a quote from US Senator Richard Blumenthal, which read, “So there really is no research ongoing. We’re kind of flying blind here, as far as health and safety is concerned.”
Lucas is only adding to a growing number of anti-vaccination groups who – according to ABC – are spreading “incorrect and often contradictory theories about 5G and vitamin cures to capture attention and advance their own narrative.”
Speaking to ABC, Harvard University’s Dr Joan Donovan said the danger of these theories is that “people who believe them may not take proper steps to protect themselves,” from COVID-19.
Dr Donovan said, “it can be attractive…to blame an outside force such as super-fast Internet technology for the body’s innate susceptibility to new viruses.” She also made the point that if you were to buy the 5G argument it means “eventually that a vaccine wouldn’t matter because 5G is the explanation.”
Sounds like Isabel Lucas and Pete Evans need to understand the responsibility that comes with having a privileged platform and a captive audience who will take your ideas as gospel, whether they’re backed by evidence, or not.
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