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Why do some religious movements seek immortality? Today in The Conversation Canada, Jeremy Cohen of McMaster University explores why some people believe in conspiracy theories and obvious snake-oil type hoaxes to cure infectious disease. What do these theories tell us about societies, and what challenges do they present for health-care workers and caretakers putting their life on the line to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic?
The article does not excuse the irresponsible behaviour of some conspiracy-theory-snake-oil believers. Still, the author asks readers to show some empathy: “Conspiratorial thinking can be founded on legitimate concerns and transcends socio-economic, racial, educational and gender boundaries."
It's one of several stories today about the coronavirus pandemic:
Regards,
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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
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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A universal basic income and a job guarantee are critical ways to help us weather the economic storm of the coronavirus pandemic.
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D.T. Cochrane, York University, Canada
A universal basic income could provide financially precarious people with the money they need. And it would keep money flowing through the financial system.
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Human connections and meaningful interactions are an essential part of the learning process, especially online.
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Erika E. Smith, Mount Royal University
Empathy will help teachers, and others leading online transitions, prioritize relationships as society navigates this crisis.
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Globally, billions of dollars in public funds have been committed for COVID-19 vaccine development. It’s crucial that the resulting vaccine be accessible to all.
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Jason Nickerson, L’Université d’Ottawa/University of Ottawa
Canada is investing millions to develop COVID-19 treatments, but there are no safeguards to ensure that those vaccines and medications will be affordable and accessible to the people who need them.
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Facial recognition software could be applied to managing people during pandemics.
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Joe Masoodi, Queen's University, Ontario
Recently, police forces have come under criticism for their engagement of facial recognition technologies. But pandemic response plans may increasingly incorporate surveillance.
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Voyager est risqué pendant l'épidémie de coronavirus. Les aéroports, les arrêts de bus et les stations-service sont particulièrement dangereux.
AP Photo/Joeal Calupitan
Rebecca S.B. Fischer, Texas A&M University
À travers le monde, des millions de personnes cherchent à regagner leur pays, ou à fuir dans des zones jugées moins risquées. Mais tous doivent évaluer les risques éthiques liés au voyage.
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COVID-19
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Martin La Monica, The Conversation
Citizens around the world look warily at the rates of illnesses and deaths at home and abroad as the economic effects of COVID-19 start to hit.
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Business + Economy
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Ken-Hou Lin, University of Texas at Austin; Megan Neely, Stanford University
While the Great Depression reduced inequality and closed the racial wealth gap, the Great Recession of 2009 did the opposite.
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Science + Technology
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Wolfgang Wüster, Bangor University; Kevin Arbuckle, Swansea University
Relax, snakes aren't out to get you.
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