Somehow, People Actually Believe These Coronavirus Conspiracy Theories

Like a rumor in middle school or celebrity gossip, major global phenomenons like the coronavirus are basically guaranteed to spark tremendous hearsay. And although it’s tough to pinpoint what exactly started the deadly disease — or what kills it — people have managed to fabricate some seriously dumb conspiracy theories about the 2020 pandemic. 

So if you’re mentally prepared to hate the entire human population, check out these absurd coronavirus conspiracy theories. Warning, though, your brain might actually melt.

The bat soup rumor started with a viral video of a Chinese woman eating bat soup with chopsticks, according to Health.com, and Twitter's responses were absolutely wild. Highly ignorant Twitter users responded with hostility, and Chinese eating habits were deemed the sole cause. Eventually, it was found that the video was filmed in Palau, an island in the western Pacific ocean, and it was filmed in 2016.

While many species of animals, including cattle, cats, and bats can carry and be affected by the coronavirus, scientists believe the disease simply originated at a seafood market, from animal-to-animal, and later, human-to-human contact. The bat soup theory is simply a xenophobic and unknowledgeable rumor.

Another questionable (and painfully racist) rumor behind the origins of COVID-19 is that the virus was being tested on bats in a Wuhan lab, and eventually, it spread to the public, according to The Scientist. Certain strains of the rumor also claim that it was being tested to ideally use as a bioweapon. 

However, no evidence was ever found that COVID-19 was created in a lab, and therefore, this is proven incorrect. The lab escape theory is incorrect and mirrors the theories behind SARS-CoV-2. Some believe that, too, was created at China’s National Biosafety Laboratory at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

OK, this one is a wild ride: it all started with YouTube star, QAnon, who is known for creating absurd theories. He tweeted a link that claimed the U.K. patented the coronavirus in 2015, asking if all of this was planned, and it gained a surprising amount of traction, according to Rolling Stone. Eventually, it escalated, and anti-vaxxers began claiming it was planned so people would pay for vaccines. 

Qanon proceeded to follow this up by linking the organization to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, as they had previously helped fund research for livestock disease and immunology. Conspiracy theory suckers know that Bill Gates is often targeted by QAnon, as he did the same during a Zika outbreak. Later, it was confirmed the coronavirus patent was used to make a vaccine for chickens, and the Gates foundation didn't even fund said patent. So bottom line: it's all extremely incorrect.

That's right — people actually believe that respiratory illnesses, including coronavirus, are caused and spread through 5G radio waves. According to How To Geek, they believe that because China was the first to build over 100,000 5G towers, this is what started it all. Shockingly, people believe this theory, including "Knocks You Down" singer, Keri Hilson. OK.

While the cause of the pandemic hasn't been scientifically pinpointed, let's not point any fingers — especially at certain races or people. Just remember to wash your hands, don't touch your face, and my God, please don't hoard toilet paper. Stay safe!