Conspiracy theory as ambition - interview with a Covid-19 denier

By Dilip -

We are in a global pandemic that is at least 15 times more fatal than seasonal influenza. When people argue otherwise it puts more lives at risk; more families will mourn. Covid-19 conspiracies are dangerous. In New Zealand those conspiracies were driven by arguments against lockdowns and misinformation about the seriousness of the virus. As our country was gearing up for an election, those fringe theories were mainstreamed and amplified by a sitting MP, Jami-Lee Ross. Ross had plummeted from grace this parliamentary term: a high-profile implosion and resignation from the centre-right National party, with allegations of bullying and harassment as well as facing fraud charges in the high court.

In a final desperate attempt at political relevance Ross hitched his wagon to the “plandemic” crowd. He led rallies and marches even during lockdown when the rest of us were doing everything to try to stop the spread of the virus. He posted misleading videos about forced vaccinations bound to whip up fear among often vulnerable people who were anxious and susceptible. The more people who bought into the lies, the more ticks on the ballot paper and the greater Ross’s chances of returning to parliament – though that was never really going to happen. The messages he was endorsing were reckless, wrong and confused. One march I saw Ross lead down a main street in Auckland had protesters waving conflicting signs: one said Covid-19 is a hoax alongside another which said Covid-19 is caused by 5G. Which is it?

I had largely ignored Ross since he came into our parliament press gallery office in July to tell us in hushed tones that he was signing up to this conspiratorial movement….

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/24/tova-obrien-my-feral-interview-with-covid-19-denier-jami-lee-ross




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