An Increase in COVID-19 Cases Spurs Conspiracy Theories Ahead of 2024 Election
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise, so does the proliferation of conspiracy theories surrounding the virus. Experts are warning that this phenomenon will only intensify as the 2024 election approaches. The White House and President Biden’s reelection campaign are now faced with the challenge of promoting vaccine awareness and countering misinformation spread by anti-vaxxers, conservative pundits, and even a small number of Republican officials. Advocates stress that while the COVID-19 public emergency may be over, its impact on American society is far from gone.
“We’re only scratching the surface of how bad this situation will get,” said Mike Rothschild, a conspiracy theory researcher. In recent weeks, online rumors about an imminent COVID-19 lockdown have gained traction as cases surge. Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) confirms a steady increase in virus-related hospitalizations since early July.
The source of the claim about impending lockdowns can be traced back to a conspiracy theorist named Alex Jones and his website InfoWars. On August 18th, they published an “exclusive” article alleging that whistleblowers from the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and Border Patrol had revealed the reintroduction of strict pandemic precautions. The article then speculated, without evidence, that these lockdowns were timed to influence the upcoming election.
Conservative online spaces quickly picked up on this narrative, which was further amplified by conservative publications and some GOP lawmakers, including Utah Sen. Mike Lee and Kentucky Rep. Thomas Massie. Massie, in an August 25th post on X (formerly Twitter), urged people to resist any reinstated COVID-19 measures. However, TSA press secretary R. Carter Langston stated that these rumors were completely false, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection spokesperson Jackie Wasiluk also dismissed claims of independent COVID-19 protocols.
While these claims are baseless, Rothschild notes that COVID-19 misinformation is a constant issue. “There are new variants of COVID that ebb and flow, but the conspiracy theories surrounding what they believe is happening with COVID remain at a consistently high level,” he explained. According to him, conspiracy theories tend to have a kernel of truth that makes them stick.
Some conspiracy theories gain traction online because they tap into deeper concerns about vaccine reliability and government overreach, says Tara Kirk Sell, a scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security. “These viral rumors resonate with people’s concerns, values, and beliefs,” she said. To combat misinformation, Sell emphasizes the need to address the underlying issues causing these rumors to resonate.
The Biden administration has made efforts to address communication issues surrounding COVID-19, which have been exploited by certain presidential hopefuls. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., known for his anti-vaccine views, have criticized the administration’s pandemic response. In response, the administration has been actively correcting inaccuracies on social media, monitoring for rumors and conspiracy theories, and encouraging public health stakeholders to combat false information. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also been monitoring online platforms for unapproved health products.
As the 2024 campaign unfolds, the Biden administration will likely face ongoing challenges related to COVID-19. DeSantis and other critics are likely to continue questioning the administration’s actions and the necessity of booster shots. For instance, DeSantis’s administration in Florida advised against booster shots for those under 65, contradicting CDC recommendations. The Biden campaign has adjusted its strategy to combat disinformation, relying on officials, allies, surrogates, and influencers to publicly address and refute false claims instead of relying on social media companies.
Experts agree that individuals and entities need to take responsibility for monitoring and scrutinizing online content. “It’s up to individual users to police what they put out and to scrutinize what they see,” Rothschild stressed. However, he acknowledges that this places a burden on busy and stressed individuals, potentially hindering efforts to combat the spread of misinformation.
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