Anti-vax nutcases

[fishbiscuits]

Did anyone here get one of these through their door today? Came through our letterbox some time around 2pm (Peckham Rye).

Does anybody have any info on what lunatics are responsible?

[Cyclemonkey]

That's impressively mad even by the standards of anti vaxxers.

All joking aside this stuff is dangerous and could result in some people getting ill or dying.

[fishbiscuits]

Well yes exactly, anti-vax conspiracy theories are VERY dangerous and DO lead to people getting sick and dying.

People are scratching their heads over why certain groups are slow to take up vaccines... then you see something like this. If a local church or religious leader is endangering the lives of their congregation, and therefore the wider community, I think it's something we should know about.

Maybe there are even legal implications? Not sure.

[smooch]

Due to some exceedingly dodgy 'trials' in the usa in the 60's and 70's there is an inherant distrust of the medical community in some groups. (google syphiliis trials in usa) It's hard to shake off this legacy and sadly these type of scaremongering reactivate this concern. There is also those bandwagon jumpers who should know better but are spouting off all sorts of nonsense in the interest of self promotion (a certain Mr Fox springs to mind)

apologies for typos

[TheCat]

"If you don't believe me, google it"

brilliant.

[Sue]

"Satanic Freemasons control this world".

😂😂😂

I didn't get this leaflet, but I wish I had.

I'm going to download it, print it, and put it on my fridge 😂

[Chick]

If it wasn't so serious it would be hilarious!

[fishbiscuits]

Well, this is it, Chick. It kind of is hilarious... it reads like a parody of all the stupidest Covid and anti-vax conspiracy theories. But also highly worrying if people out there actually believe this nonsense.

I know it is a long shot, but I was hoping that someone might know if a local church/cult/etc were behind this. And also in practical/legal terms, whether anything can be done to shut down this kind of thing.

[Penguin68]

It doesn't seem to fall into any of the obvious hate-speech categories (no legislation against disliking Masons), nor does it incite violence (just stupidity).

So you have no legal remedy against it, in my view. It turns out lying (except in a court of law, under oath) isn't a crime. Can't think why politicians haven't thought of making it one!

Amended to say that there could be a possible suit for defamation (civil issue) if the Masons bothered. Burden of proof might be problematical however (that's the thing about conspiracy theories, demonstrating that they are in error)

[fishbiscuits]

smooch Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> Due to some exceedingly dodgy 'trials' in the usa

> in the 60's and 70's there is an inherant distrust

> of the medical community in some groups. (google

> syphiliis trials in usa) It's hard to shake off

> this legacy and sadly these type of scaremongering

> reactivate this concern.

This article touches on some of these issues:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-56813982

And also things like Windrush damaging the credibility of the government.

So what can be done to fix these problems? It's a tough one. I'd say that better representation of minorities in government would be a good start. Also in the pharmaceutical industry and senior NHS management. Fundamentally comes down to equal access to quality education, I think.

Nevertheless, blatant misinformation and conspiracy theories are a massive problem here...