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This article about conspiracy theories is republished here with permission from The Conversation. This content is shared here because the topic may interest Snopes readers; it does not, however, represent the work of Snopes fact-checkers or editors.
Conspiracy theories tend to prosper in times of crisis. When people are looking for ways to cope with uncertainty and threat, conspiracy theories may seem to offer simple answers. However, instead of making things better, conspiracy theories often make things worse.
Over the course of history, conspiracy theories have been linked to conflict, prejudice, genocide and the rejection of important scientific advances. Recently, belief in COVID-19 conspiracy theories (such as that the virus is a hoax) have been linked to vaccine rejection and reluctance to take action to stop the spread of the virus.
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Johnetta Randolph Haley knew she wanted to be a music educator early on. She broke racial barriers and founded Head Start in East St. Louis. She died at age 97.
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“Fifteen hundred people signed a petition they didn’t want me or the other three (teachers) only because we were black,” Haley said in a 2018 awards program video. “But after one year, they wanted their kids in my class.”
The real reason people spread Covid conspiracy theories
“To blame the uncertainties of Covid-19 on the government or Bill Gates is a much more tangible and simple explanation than to try to deal with what is happening.”
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Psychologists have explained the real reason people believe Covid conspiracy theories - after a number of arrests for trying to spread false information.