DeepSummary
This episode discusses various conspiracy theories that emerged during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly around purported treatments like ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and vitamin D. The hosts explain how these theories gained traction despite lack of evidence, fueled by misinformation campaigns, fraudulent studies, and grifters promoting unproven cures.
The episode traces the origins of the ivermectin conspiracy, debunking flawed studies that claimed it was effective against COVID-19. It also examines the hydroxychloroquine controversy, revealing how a now-retracted study falsely suggested it was dangerous, and how this drug was heavily promoted by right-wing media and even former President Trump.
The vitamin D conspiracy is also explored, with the hosts explaining how a fabricated study claiming it prevented COVID-19 deaths was widely cited, despite no evidence of its efficacy. The episode highlights the emotional appeal of these conspiracies, offering simple solutions during a time of uncertainty, and the role of bad-faith actors in perpetuating them.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Conspiracy theories surrounding ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and vitamin D as COVID-19 cures gained traction despite lack of evidence, fueled by misinformation campaigns, fraudulent studies, and grifters promoting unproven cures.
- Right-wing media outlets like Fox News and the Wall Street Journal heavily promoted unproven COVID-19 treatments like hydroxychloroquine, even when evidence showed they were ineffective or potentially dangerous.
- The emotional appeal of simple solutions during a crisis, combined with a distrust of mainstream institutions, contributed to the spread of these conspiracy theories.
- Flawed studies, including some with fabricated data, played a significant role in legitimizing these conspiracy theories before being eventually debunked.
- The hosts argue that COVID-19 conspiracy theories were primarily driven by a right-wing worldview, challenging the notion that such theories are equally prevalent across the political spectrum.
- The wellness industry's narrative of vitamins and supplements as an alternative to big pharma is criticized as a fallacy, as the supplement industry is a multi-billion dollar business itself.
- Limitations in the peer review process, such as relying on data at face value, can be exploited by bad actors to publish fraudulent studies that fuel misinformation.
- While some preliminary evidence suggested potential benefits of ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and vitamin D, larger studies ultimately showed no significant effect on COVID-19 outcomes.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “This is straight up, raw egg nationalist bullshit. You can't patent an egg.“ by Aubrey Gordon
- “I think a very important insight from the last couple years is that it's not just a worldview, but it's a fundamentally right wing worldview.“ by Michael Hobbes
Entities
Company
Person
Book
Product
Publication
Concept
Episode Information
Maintenance Phase
Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
3/7/24
What was missing from America's pandemic response? According to the internet, a sunshine vitamin, a malaria treatment and a whole lot of horse paste.
Thanks to Health Nerd (Substack) for helping us fact-check this episode! And thanks to Abby Mahler (Twitter, Tiktok) for help with the research on hydroxychloroquine!
Support us:
- Hear bonus episodes on Patreon
- Donate on PayPal
- Get Maintenance Phase T-shirts, stickers and more
- Buy Aubrey's book
- Listen to Mike's other podcast
Links:
- How Musk Sold MAGA on HCQ
- Prominent Anti-Vaxxer’s Snake Oil Store Has a Propaganda Outlet
- Nine COVID-19 Myths That Just Won’t Go Away
- Disinformation and coronavirus
- COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories Discussion on Twitter
- Pain in the Nation
- Are patients with hypertension and diabetes mellitus at increased risk for COVID-19 infection?
- Conspiracy theories as barriers to controlling the spread of COVID-19 in the U.S.
- Vaccines vs. vitamins: COVID misinformation roils the worlds of wellness and nutrition
- A Decisive Verdict on Vitamin D Supplementation
- Why were Twitter Users Obsessed with Vitamin D during the first year of the pandemic?
- Vitamin D, the Sunshine Supplement, Has Shadowy Money Behind It
- The Truth about Vitamin D and COVID-19
- The Strange and Twisted Tale of Hydroxychloroquine
- Is Ivermectin for Covid-19 Based on Fraudulent Research?
Thanks to Doctor Dreamchip for our lovely theme song!
Support the show