Coronavirus Conspiracies: From the Absurd to the Plausible
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic spreading and wreaking havoc all over the world, one other thing has been equally contagious: coronavirus conspiracies.
And as much as I would prefer to steer clear, the topic of coronavirus conspiracies is unusually relevant to me (unfortunately), because one of them can actually kill me and has certainly made my job more difficult. Let’s start with that one.
Coronavirus Conspiracy #1: 5G Towers Cause the Coronavirus
The 5G conspiracy purports that 5G towers either cause the coronavirus or make one’s body more susceptible to it. In fact, people are actually burning down telecommunication towers in retaliation.
I shouldn’t have to say this, but that’s just fucking stupid.
On the electromagnetic spectrum, radio waves are the least harmful while Gamma Rays are the most harmful.
As someone who has worked with radio waves and Gamma Rays, my broad experience informs my understanding.
To be perfectly clear, sunlight is more dangerous than the 5G towers’ radiowaves. Furthermore, the coronavirus is obviously a biological phenomenon, so linking them to telecommunication towers makes absolutely no sense.
I’m out here as an essential worker trying to ensure the communication networks remain fully functional without complications during this pandemic, but, due to this conspiracy, I now have to deal with ignoramuses with IQs lower than those cows that are always licking my truck.
In hindsight, it wasn’t the best idea to drive a cow-colored vehicle.
People have questioned me, taken photos of me, and even called the police on me.
And if any of these imbeciles decide to burn down any tower that I am on, I will drop the heaviest object I can find on them.
Even though this conspiracy theory is the most stupid, people still believe it, making my life difficult as a result.
Coronavirus Conspiracy #2: It Was Created in a Chinese Lab
Since there is actually a lab in Wuhan, many conspiracy theorists purport that the virus originated there.
Even more hilarious, there is actually a lab in China with a logo similar to Umbrella Corp from Resident Evil (the zombie-themed video game). Furthermore, Raccoon City—the place where the game’s zombie outbreak occurred—seems to be an anagram for corona.
However, as coincidental as this all seems, there are gaping holes in these fun theories.
For starters, notice that the name of the lab has the word “Shang Hai” in it. Shanghai and Wuhan are hundreds of miles/kilometers apart, so this lab with the logo isn’t anywhere close to the source of the coronavirus outbreak. Second, Raccoon City has two c’s while corona has only one.
Here’s the important thing: people can believe whatever they want to believe and twist the facts to fit their narrative.
For instance, did you know that the kingdom in the movie Tangled (yes, the Disney movie) is called Corona? This means that Rapunzel was essentially “quarantined” in a tower in the kingdom of Corona.
So, did Disney create or predict the virus? Rapunzel was literally quarantined and the kingdom was literally called Corona.
Of course not. That would be utterly absurd.
Finally, SARS was linked to civet cats and MERS was linked to camels. Since the coronaviruses that caused SARS and MERS were zoonotic (transmitted between animals and people), it would make sense that the origin of the current coronavirus be linked to wet markets where a variety of exotic animals were sold.
Finally, why would anyone research bioweapons in a densely populated city? It seems like a terribly stupid idea.
Coronavirus Conspiracy #3: The Media Is “Overreacting” to Get More Views and Influence Politics
Let’s get one thing cleared up: the media—especially the ones from developed countries—almost never overreacts, especially not for an extended duration.
While the media’s objective is to draw viewers, most attempt to alleviate panic. If they “overreact” in any way, widescale panic would actually hurt the economy and country in irreparable ways. In other words, it would be suicide for the media in any country to overreact.
If there was a literal zombie apocalypse, the media would probably say, “A large number of riots are occurring all over the world, and rioters are seen displaying unusual cannibalistic behavior as the military moves to suppress the violence. Strangely enough, many rioters have developed a strange appetite for brains, and doctors are attempting to diagnose this malady. All communication with Africa has ceased, but they’re probably just busy. Satellites show North Korea nuking various parts of its own country, but it’s probably a military exercise. Next Up: Adorable Kitten Learns to Play the Piano.”
It just so happens that, even while fairly reporting on this virus, the media is still accused of being too “dramatic.” Since the coronavirus is so unusually dangerous, even downplaying would still mean it’s quite dangerous.
This leads us to the most plausible conspiracy—one that actually considers the fact that the media in any country actually attempts to alleviate panic.
The Most Plausible Conspiracy: Statistical Manipulation
The global consensus is that this virus poses a serious threat. Otherwise, it simply would be insensible for entire countries to unanimously be on high alert. Bodies are piling up to the point where trucks and mass graves are needed. This is not normal.
To alleviate panic and make matters seem less severe, there is strong evidence of statistical manipulation. Even in the best-case scenario, the statistics are either misunderstood or misrepresented.
For example, most people do not realize that worldometers.info provides a very specific data point: closed cases (a.k.a. cases which had an outcome). And while the number of closed cases is absolutely crucial, it is the number most often ignored. Governments and the media often focus on only 2 figures: the number of deaths and the number of infections.
Across multiple countries, the death rate is often portrayed as the number of deaths divided by the total number of infections.
But dividing the number of deaths by the total number of infections is deliberately misleading and downright blatant statistical manipulation since the number of closed cases does not equal the number of infections. The COVID-19 pandemic is ongoing, and many cases have undetermined outcomes.
As of 5/10/2020, when dividing total deaths by closed cases, we see that the death rate worldwide is around 16%.
However, note that this 16% death rate is never reported in the media. The actual reported death rate is significantly lower, with many claiming that it could be anywhere from 1 to 3%. To understand these numbers, let’s start by examining the flu.
When you examine data for the flu, you can divide the total number of deaths by the total number of cases/infections to get an accurate death rate. At the end of the flu season, the total of all cases = closed cases, so it makes sense.
However, COVID-19 has limbo cases—cases with an undetermined outcome. Understandably, no one knows how many limbo cases result in deaths or recoveries.
For COVID-19, if you divide total deaths by the total cases (closed + limbo cases), then you have the following equation:
Total deaths / (closed cases + limbo cases)
This is obvious statistical manipulation because it’s assuming that all limbo cases result in ZERO deaths—a mathematical impossibility. The death rate will obviously be manipulated lower. But how can we simply assume that the limbo cases will unanimously have the best outcome (0 people dying)?
If anything, the media and politicians are purposely manipulating the data and lowering the death rate to alleviate panic. Ironically, some people still think the media and politicians are overreacting, despite evidence to the contrary.
An accurate death rate requires the following equation:
Total deaths / total closed cases.
As of 5/10/2020, the United States has 80,878 deaths. However, with over 1 million active cases, the potential to easily gain 50,000 deaths is a very real possibility.
And this is assuming that zero new infections occur after 5/10/2020—another mathematical impossibility.
This is also assuming the United States can achieve Germany’s death rate of 5% (as of 5/10/2020).
Germany’s numbers are reliable because it is the best-performing country in Europe in terms of closed cases and a low death rate.
If we wish to analyze possible data manipulation further, then the United Kingdom is a prime suspect. It’s one of only two countries in the world that do not report the number of “Total Recovered” cases. Why is that?
Let’s again examine the numbers from 5/10/2020.
Total Cases – Deaths – Active Cases = Total Recovered.
219,183 – 31,855 – 186,984 = 344.
Total closed cases = Total Death + Total Recovered.
31,855 + 344 = 32,199.
Death Rate = Deaths / Closed Cases reveals an astronomically high death rate at 31,855/32,199 = 98.9%!
Next, we examine the only other country missing the Total Recovered data: The Netherlands.
Total Cases – Deaths – Active Cases = Total Recovered.
42,627 – 5,440 – 36,937 = 250.
Total closed cases = Total Death + Total Recovered.
5,440 + 250= 5,690.
Death Rate = Deaths / Closed Cases reveals an astronomically high death rate at 5,440/5,690 = 95.6%!
Isn’t it a rather strange coincidence that the countries with the highest death rates are not reporting their Total Recovered number? In fact, out of the 20 countries above, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have the highest death rate by far. Despite being very different countries, both decided to omit a key data point.
Seeing how it’s actually quite cumbersome to calculate the Total Recovered number, this is an example of blatant omission—another form of data manipulation.
Fortunately, based on comparisons to the other countries, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands are anomalies. Their death rates will drop significantly as more and more healthy individuals recover and close out the cases.
To sum it up, there is strong evidence that the numbers are either being omitted or twisted to alleviate panic—an understandable objective.
As a result, this theory is quite plausible. Unlike the other theories, this one is actually backed by numbers.
And the numbers are certainly convincing.
Finally, although there are many other conspiracies not addressed, I strongly encourage a logical, cautious, mathematical, and scientific evaluation of all incoming information. Otherwise, we risk spreading the worst disease of all: supreme stupidity.
Remember, there will never be a vaccine for stupidity. And those affected by supreme stupidity should quarantine themselves—indefinitely.
Update (5/29/2020): A special thanks to Joseph for letting me know about the data omission. As of 5/29/2020, the United Kingdom and the Netherlands have “coincidentally” removed all data on Active Cases.
As of now, these are the only countries in the world to blatantly hide these 2 key data points. This bolsters the argument that the accurate equation is indeed total deaths / active cases.
According to the analysis of the numbers, the Total Recovered and Active Cases are absolutely crucial. Unfortunately, they present a very unpleasant reality—that the death rate is much worse than previously thought. Understandably, the 2 countries with the worse numbers would decide to hide the data.
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© Copyright - Ace Adventurer
Yeeess! I can’t believe you actually took my recommendation and researched this! Thank you!
I knew something was seriously fishy with this whole thing. The numbers were very off when I was looking at the data myself. You even noticed that the U.K. and Netherlands were not presenting a key number, but you definitely went further than I did. I just thought it was suspicious, but I couldn’t really connect the dots.
Excellent work! This is some top notch analysis. I figured you’d do it justice seeing as how you researched the other article so well.
The part about the zombies made me lol for a solid 10 seconds.
I hate number 3 the most, people are so stupid it scares me. Media always downplays bad events. To think any government wants to purposely ruin their economy is complete stupidity. What’s even more stupid is people actually think that all the governments of the world just unanimously decide to do this. Either it’s a global conspiracy with every country, or those conspiracy theorists are complete idiots.
The part about zombies made me lol for like 10 seconds.
I hate number 3 the most, people are just so stupid to think the media is overreacting. I can see it in the data you presented, it’s bad across the board. The media always downplays bad news. It takes a very special kind of stupid person to think that all the countries of the world are conspiring to ruin their economies with these lockdowns smh.
Ngl that Disney reference was legit. Blew my mind. People will correlate anything and twist things around in heir heads until it makes sense.
The analysis of the numbers is amazing! No judgment, no politics, just plain good ole math, I’m impressed.
I would never have guessed. It sure makes those people comparing it to the flu seem a lot more inept. Maybe they’re too dumb to understand the math? The numbers tell the truth. The hospital overflow and mass graves tell the truth. So far, the death rates have been significantly more than the flu at every level. All comparisons saying it’s similar to the flu are just backed by hunches and ignorance, while all the numbers point to the contrary. Great work!
Such a good breakdown of the ridiculousness of the conspiracies. They’re absolutely nuts (except the last one).
I’m actually interested in hearing about you traveling around as an essential worker. It would be just a good point of view. You were actually traveling around and seeing how everything was going. Must have been crazy.
The analyses and breakdown of conspiracies and numbers here are simply incredible. You clearly know this well. I also love how you’re branching out to multiple topics. Your breadth of experience is quite refreshing. The travel stuff is legit, but I think the other stuff are incredible reads as well. Definitely keep this up!
I’m sorry there are idiots out there making your life hard. Just want you to know that there are many people out there, myself included, that appreciate the efforts of all the essential workers. I wouldn’t know what I would do if my cell signal or internet go down without you guys out there making sure everything works smoothly.
Oh my god! Calling out the U.K. and Netherlands was such a good move! I just checked, and they no longer provide the Active Cases. There’s no doubt in my mind now that it’s not a coincidence. They are literally hiding numbers. They know what they’re doing, and they’re purposely being deceitful.
Solid call. It was a very strong hunch. Now it’s pretty much the truth. And you even have photographic evidence before they removed their numbers. Might I suggest updating the article to inform the audience that the U.K. and Netherlands “coincidentally” removed their active cases?
Excellent write up! You sure make boring topics more interesting and easy to understand.
Our boi is an Ace detective part time. You’re really on to something here. Countries worldwide are sheltering, bodies piling up, politicians are hiding ir manipulating data. The numbers have only been getting worse. Just look! 125,000 in a day? It was literally 80,000 in your last photo.
I can’t believe what I’m seeing. This is super shady. You telling me it’s actually much worse than we thought? I’m kinda not surprised atm. As suspected, can’t trust the government to tell the truth.
I like the info and data here, but I feel the most damaging conspiracy is missing. People out there are still looking at this thing like its no more dangerous than the flu and the scientific models are wrong.
Like I get it. This could be the biggest overreaction with the worst consequences, but the data hasn’t shown that it’s an overreaction. I’m looking at the trackcorona.live website, the worldmeter website, and many other sources. The death rate is consistently very high, and this is still wrongly based on dividing current death by all infections, and not closed cases like you pointed out. No speculation, only based on data available. Sure, it could even be less harmful than the flu, but that’s all speculation. No verifiable data has shown that.
P.S. Spain is missing the closed cases now as well.
I can’t believe ace the adventurer does better investigative journalism than actual journalists 😂. That analysis of the numbers is spot on and I too am become very suspicious of the number manipulation. At the end of the day I think it does more harm than good. By trying to placate the public, we’ve exacerbate the problem via complacency.