COVID-19 CONSPIRACY MYTHS

SOCIAL media is not short of conspiracy theories and myths concerning Covid-19.

The most disturbing however is the suggestion that the virus and newly developed vaccine were intended to depopulate Africa. This cannot be further from the truth and yet some members of our society believe these myths.

The most astounding however was the prayer by South African Chief Justice Justice Mogoeng who, while praying for assistance against the virus, suggested that some vaccines were "vaccines of the devil."

“I lock out any vaccine that is not of you (God). If there be any vaccine that is of the devil, meant to infuse triple-six (sign of the devil) in the lives of people, meant to corrupt their DNA … Any such vaccine, Lord God almighty, may it be destroyed by fire in the name of Jesus,” he said in his prayer.

Naturally, the remarks have angered scientists and others who feel that comments like these from someone of Mogoeng's influence and stature would mislead people pinning hopes on a vaccine.

Health advocacy group the African Alliance has filed a formal complaint with the Judicial Services Commission (JSC) against the Chief Justice. Even EFF leader Julius Malema has criticised Mogoeng, for being a conspiracy theorist over the Covid-19 vaccines.

For a country that has seen more than 1.5 million South Africans infected and over 35, 000 people killed, the conspiracy theory is the last thing the country would want.

That is why we share the anger Malema expressed over the use of the church to perpetrate a conspiracy theory that has no basis in fact “We have given room to these conspiracy theories. Perhaps if we were producing our own vaccine, we would not have some unfounded stories like 666 vaccines. Where have you ever had such madness? There is no such vaccine.

“Today, people who claim to be Christians, people who claim to be worshipping God and denounce African medicine and who survive through Western medicine want to come and tell us there is a 666 vaccine,” Malema said.

Zambia has been inundated by all manner of theories with claims that the virus and vaccine were engineered to depopulate the continent.

Sadly many people have believed this myth including the current notion that the virus does not exist. That 5G electro magnetic waves were responsible for damaging blood cells which in turn caused Covid-19.

The spread of the disease in Zambia clearly discounts this 5G theory because this technology still has to reach many parts of the country.

Another video claiming to emanate from the United Kingdom is doing the rounds on social media suggesting that scientists had failed to prove the existence of the virus. The truth is that scientists have not only proved the existence of the virus but have been able to isolate different variants of the virus. That is why they have recognised a South African variant. In Kenya scientists have found more than 15 variations.

At this time when the infection rate has increased to astronomical proportions, it is irresponsible for any person to cast aspersion against vaccines which may actually hold some hope.