9 more weeks of lockdown is going to send people into a spiral of despair (that’s if you’re not already spiraling). It’s also inevitably going to push more people into communities where they are offered answers and hope in the form of conspiracy theories.

Those conspiracy theories are going to feel good. They’re going to feed off the anger and lack of hope. They’re going to provide a support system to reinforce those beliefs. They’re also going to expose people to QAnon, white nationalism, sovereign citizen bullshit etc

I understand the draw these movements have. There is no hope and no alternative outlet for people’s grievances. We need an alternative, and fast. We need wider public debate based on science and logic and we need an exit plan.

If you're interested in knowing what kind of content these communities are consuming in Ireland, check out this brill briefing from @ciaranoconnor looking into vaccine misinfo, the Great Reset and FB's crap enforcement of its policies https://www.isdglobal.org/digital_dispatches/covid-19-vaccine-misinformation-monitor-ireland/