Who are “covid dissidents” and why are they dangerous
09.11.2020
Reader opinion
The term "covid dissident" has appeared quite recently. But it has already firmly entered our everyday dictionary. To put it quite simply, it means people who ... do not believe in coronavirus.
"What is absurd?" - Ask a person accustomed to the scientific way of knowing the world. “What does it mean - do not believe in coronavirus? Maybe they don't believe in a heliocentric model of the solar system yet? "
Don't oversimplify, however. Yes, in a modern society with an unprecedented availability of information sources, we have to deal with a variety of forms of "faith" and "unbelief." There are people who do not believe that earthly astronauts have already been on the moon, and in general in the reality of space flights. There are people who believe that the world is ruled by aliens. There are even those who seriously doubt the sphericity of the Earth.
Another, less radical branch of "covid dissidents" does not deny the virus itself. However, at the same time, he questions the presence of an epidemic and claims that within the framework, again, of a government special operation, the danger of the virus is significantly exaggerated. "In fact, it is not worse than the flu, and the authorities deliberately lie to us about the scale and intimidate the population!" - you can often hear from them. The goals for which this exaggeration is allegedly being carried out are formulated exactly the same as the deniers of the coronavirus as such see them.
"Patients with coronavirus do not die from it!" - this conclusion was made by many commentators on social networks back in the spring, when among the first victims, most people were carriers of certain chronic diseases. At the same time, none of them got the idea that this is not surprising - after all, a person with a chronic disease is, of course, weaker. In addition, the virus itself, as the doctors said, contributed to the exacerbation of many chronic diseases. Finally, smarter users quickly noticed that if such logic was developed further, then it was possible to come to completely absurd conclusions. For example, that not a single person has died from a fall from a height - after all, in this case it is not the fall itself that kills, but the impact with the ground!
Now, when the second wave of the epidemic has already swept the world, we often hear the following argument: “It is useless to defend ourselves, wear masks and comply with sanitary requirements that limit our freedoms, everyone will get sick anyway!” Only such "covid-fatalists" do not think about the fact that the process of "recovering from everyone" can be long and gradual, or it can turn out to be an avalanche. But in the first case, the health care system - the one whose state today only the lazy does not remember - has a certain amount of time. And this stock can be used for the preparation of beds, for the production of the necessary equipment in the required quantity, for the production of the required volumes of medicines and vaccines, for the implementation of many other necessary measures.[But will it be used? This is a big question. In any case, for our country. - Ed. ]In the end, it should be remembered that the staff of doctors is far from endless, and their capacity for work is not unlimited. In the event of an instant mass outbreak, it will have to be dealt with only by those means that will be available here and now. And if, with the slow course of the epidemic, there are chances that the health care system will withstand the load, then in the second option there will be a sorely lack of beds, medicines, and the same ventilators, and just specialists. And then, exhausted by almost round-the-clock work, doctors will have to resort to practically military-field methods of triage, and decide which of the patients, in the face of a shortage of medicines and equipment, will be given a chance to survive, and which should be considered hopeless. So the phrase that “everyone will get sick anyway” should have an integral continuation - “and the strongest will survive”.
"Quarantine and sanitary measures violate our rights!" Here I would like to express myself not very censorship. Because when rights are really violated, and not by the “world behind the scenes” and not by the abstract “power”, but by a very specific employer, then for some reason we do not observe massive and active opposition, even by completely peaceful and legal methods, in most cases. But, alas, there are plenty of those who want to show their "courage", ignoring sanitary and hygienic requirements, demonstratively neglecting masks and arranging almost demonstrative picnics every warm weekend. Moreover, - let's be objective - the Russian authorities, neither in the spring nor now, have applied such harsh measures as in the same USA or Europe.
So, during the first, spring wave of the epidemic, the fine for a primary violation of quarantine in France was 135 euros , with a repeated violation, its amount increased to 1,500 euros . Well, if the "fronder" continued to persist, then he could part with 3700 euros , or even get arrested for up to six months. And in the UK, starting in October, for a person with symptoms of coronavirus or in contact with a person who has been diagnosed with a coronavirus, in case of violation of quarantine, the fine is up to 1,000 pounds (almost 1,300 US dollars). If the violation is repeated, the fine increases to 10 thousand pounds (13 thousand US dollars).
Maybe in liberal Europe, such strict measures are applied only to those who have already been diagnosed with the disease? Not at all. In Italy, the wearing of masks by all citizens today is mandatory not only in shops and public transport, but also outdoors, while the fine for not wearing a mask ranges from 400 to 1000 euros . In Germany, since mid-August, in the federal state of North Rhine-Westphalia, a fine of 150 euros has been introduced for those who ignore the masks , and in other states, the size of such fines can reach 500 euros . And these examples are far from isolated.
However, Russian “covid dissidents” have the opportunity to demonstrate their indifference to the public interest with significantly less risk. At the same time, he also does not hesitate to call other people "idiots", "slaves" and "herd".
"Masks, gloves and antiseptics are useless . " Most often, adherents of this branch of "covid dissidence" recall that the size of the virus is significantly smaller than the size of the cells of any mask tissue. Although it has already been explained many times by experts that the mask does not filter viruses as such - they really will not be contained by a single tissue barrier - but drops of moisture that carry the virus. Similarly, it is true that the virus does not enter the body through the skin. But with the infected surface of the hand, a person can, consciously or unconsciously, touch one of the mucous membranes. Which, just, are the main gateway for the entry of the virus.
You often hear indignant phrases like “why should I wear a mask if I'm healthy” ? A lot has been written and said that the main danger and insidiousness of the coronavirus lies precisely in its long "latent" period, when a person may not even guess about his illness and at the same time be a kind of "walking biological bomb". But there are still those who do not perceive it. Or deliberately ignores.
"But scientist So-and-so said that all this is garbage!" Interestingly, in science, there really is still no absolute unity on the issue of the origin and properties of the coronavirus. But what's even more interesting is that this is ... a normal situation! Modern science, in contrast to the science of past centuries, when there were still very few scientists, relies not so much on the opinions of individual - even very authoritative - personalities, but on collective agreement, on paradigms and hypotheses recognized by the majority of the scientific community. And the majority today is unanimous that the virus exists, that even the simplest measures can, if not guarantee against infection, then, in any case, significantly reduce its risk and slow the spread of infection around the world, and that vaccinations are the most effective method of struggle.
Here, by the way, it should be noted that the dialectical development of denial of the danger of coronavirus is the promotion of refusal of vaccination. You can also find different branches in it. Most often we hear that "a vaccine cannot be created in a year." However, one should not forget that the work on it did not begin at all "from absolute zero." Despite all the consequences of liberal reforms, Russian microbiologists still have a huge scientific legacy left over from Soviet institutions. And there the developments were very serious - after all, they were faced with the task of resisting a possible bacteriological war. In addition, the new generation of scientists already has a fairly serious groundwork, including during the recent fight against the Ebola outbreak.... And finally, let's remember that Khavkin's cholera vaccine was obtained in 1892, and began to be used already in 1893. And this is not in the 21st century, but in the 19th, when researchers had much fewer opportunities.
[Let us remind our readers about the state of affairs with the Russian vaccine. - Ed. ]
In the end, we will mention another branch of "covid dissidence" and anti-vaccine sectarianism. Fortunately, quite a small number, but very visible on social networks. Representatives of which in all seriousness preach that a vaccine against coronavirus should not protect humanity, but, on the contrary, destroy a significant part of the world's population (in different sources, numbers from 15 to 95 percent are called). And the survivors, along with the same vaccine, will be injected with "nanochips" developed hardly under the personal control of Bill Gates, and with the help of which the world oligarchy intends to control people. And, of course, the 5G telecommunication standard is being introduced precisely to transmit the signal to the newly minted "biorobots".
Here it is hardly possible to take anything seriously and to discuss something. And to explain the origin of such versions, perhaps, one will have to turn to psychiatry. But the most interesting thing is that those who so colorfully paint the horrors of the future "chipization" on the Internet are unlikely to give up their cellular communication today. Which, we note, they use quite voluntarily. And which at the same time is not fictional, but a very real means that allows you to learn a lot about a person. So it's easy to guess: if the "world government" sets itself the goal of "total control over the population of the planet," then it already has much simpler means of achieving it. And not only they do not provoke resistance, but even, on the contrary, are in considerable demand among consumers.
Why is “covid dissidence” so popular?
There are many reasons for this. And they are of a very different nature - both psychological and social.
When the human brain realizes a danger that cannot be avoided, the psyche begins to activate many protective mechanisms. And for many people, one of these mechanisms is the denial of this very danger. In the same way, a child, when he is afraid, closes his eyes with his palms. An adult will not only think and hope that "everything is not so scary", "there is no danger", or "it is artificially exaggerated", but also look for any informational clue that will allow him to prove his innocence at least to himself. Then he goes to the Internet and finds like-minded people, those who, just like him, deny the danger. Because "since I'm not the only one who thinks so, it means that there is something in this!"
The bourgeois egoism, which has been nurtured so long and carefully over the past 30 years, also contributes to a large extent to "covid dissidence". "Why should I, because of some kind of pandemic, deny myself the pleasure of barbecuing on the lake shore and drinking beer with friends?" - thinks the man in the street. Well, and the fact that others may be near - "so these are their problems, if they are afraid, then let them not approach . "
And now we come to the saddest thing.
Over the years that have passed since the collapse of the USSR, our authorities have done everything to make people stop believing them. And now, when it comes to a real danger, and the authorities turn to people with a quite reasonable request to take care of themselves and those around them, these same people simply by virtue of an already established tradition think that they are being deceived this time too. Exactly the same as in the famous parable about the shepherdess. For the sake of a joke, he shouted “Wolves!” Several times, and the fellow villagers who always came to help saw only his smiling face. But when the wolves actually came and pounced on the herd, and the unlucky shepherd already in all seriousness called for help, no one responded. And it didn't help.
[Speaking about “reasonable requests” from the authorities, the author forgets to mention that during the epidemic the authorities remained true to themselves and repeatedly discredited themselves and their measures. Here one can recall the magnificent holidays of the oligarchs without observing epidemiological norms, and the notorious "self-isolation" instead of declaring a full-fledged emergency, and the massive falsification of statistics, and repression against doctors , and the collapse of local healthcare , and much more. Russian citizens have no reason to believe in the good intentions of the Russian authorities. - Ed. ]
Indicative is the fact that in their mistrust of the official data on the scale of the epidemic, people were divided into two groups. Some believe that the official data are many times underestimated, because the authorities hide the true scale. Others just as stubbornly defend the opinion that the data are many times overstated. But both the first and the second are simply sure of deception - because it cannot be otherwise, in their understanding!
People do not believe that any of the top management is actually sick.
People do not believe that government officials and their relatives who wished to volunteer in the third round of trials now in progress were injected with the real vaccine.
People do not believe that the authorities, calling for the observance of quarantine and sanitary measures, can take care of them. [And rightly they don't. The recent meeting between the oligarchs and Putin speaks better than a thousand words. - Ed. ]
And they begin to act already from one simple consideration - "out of spite!" “I’ll take it, and in spite of this government I will go without a mask and ignore the quarantine!”
However, such "resistance" increasingly resembles the phrases of the heroes of the jokes. "To spite my mother, I'll frostbite my ears!" "In spite of my mother-in-law, I'll knock out my eyes - let everyone say that her son-in-law is crooked!" The only question is, who will be really worse from such steps, is purely rhetorical. After all, the chance to meet with a representative of the authorities in the subway or shop, as you might guess, is minimal. But the chance to transmit the infection to another person, the same as you, is, alas, much higher.
At this point, it is worth mentioning a kind of "left" branch of "covid dissidence". Representatives of which are guided by the argument that since the bourgeois government actively calls for the use of protective equipment, then exactly the opposite should be done. What can I say here? Comrades, what if the bourgeois government advises to wash your hands before eating? If the bourgeois government says that according to the rules, the street should be turned green? What if the bourgeois government announces that it is undesirable to walk along the sleepers towards a speeding train? In these and similar cases, will you also act on the principle “exactly the opposite”?
From the fact that the bourgeois power in certain situations voices the truth, it certainly does not cease to be bourgeois. But the truth from this also does not cease to be the truth. And the path of "struggle against capitalism" based on the tactics of a priori denial of everything that the bourgeois government articulates, will lead not forward to socialism and communism, but back to the Middle Ages. When there really was no capitalism, no sanitary measures, no quarantine, no vaccination. But there was much more. The return of which is unlikely to dream of at least one reasonable person.
And, finally, many doubt the need for sanitary and hygienic measures because they do not see the real consequences of the coronavirus. Yes, fortunately, most of us today learn about the situation only from the reports of the Operations Headquarters. You can either believe them or not believe them. But - I repeat - to our great happiness, we do not have the opportunity to check them, personally counting the corpses lying on the streets.
Indeed, the trouble has passed for many people. However, one should not forget about other testimonies when whole families died. And, perhaps, it is worth saying a huge "Thank you!" to all those doctors, rescuers, social workers, volunteers and many other people who, with their selfless work, helped the country to avoid the worst-case scenario. Helped save many lives. Including, possibly, some of those who are so actively shouting on the Internet about the "invented danger" and "special operations of the world government."
Why are “covid dissidents” dangerous?
But the danger posed by the "covid dissidents" themselves, alas, is no longer invented, but quite real. What is it?
Firstly, denying either the epidemic itself, or the degree of its danger, or “protesting” against the “restriction of freedoms,” these people do not comply with sanitary and hygienic standards, and many of them do it demonstratively. "Here I am, all of myself free, look how I show my middle finger to the regime, that's how brave I am, unlike you slaves!" Some even go to an extreme degree - when they deliberately violate the prescribed quarantine, even knowing about their illness. "If I'm already sick, then I have nothing to lose, and infecting others is not my problem."
Fortunately, such extreme manifestations are still quite rare. But very often you hear that "since I am not sick, and I have no symptoms, then I do not have to wear an" idiotic muzzle. " The arguments about the danger of an asymptomatic course, as already mentioned, are not perceived by these people. Moreover, if you tell them that in order to be sure of your health, you need to pass the test, they will snap back - “when the temperature rises, then maybe I'll go!”.
But the virus absolutely does not give a damn about what the “covid dissident” thinks about and what is guided by it. And he will strike indiscriminately - both a stubborn fronder, and an ordinary person who, to his misfortune, turned out to be next to him.
Thus, neglecting sanitary recommendations, such people in any case become already conscious carriers of the virus. The number of patients is increased. There is a shortage of places in hospitals. And, as we have already said, the worst thing is that they increase the likelihood of the moment when there will be more patients in need of ventilators than there are such devices available. When doctors have to make a choice who will live and who will not.
Secondly, many “covid dissidents” are not closed in their circle. They actively encourage others to follow their example. Moreover, in the era of the Internet, it is not so difficult. And on the Internet, you can find a myriad of communities in which the “covid dissidents” spread their ideology, while no longer hesitating to actually call for open disobedience - “if we are not all slaves, we don’t wear idiotic masks, we don’t allow ourselves to pour hands are an incomprehensible antiseptic, then the authorities cannot do anything! " Of course, there are no thoughts about those who become infected and, possibly, even die.
Thirdly, often "covid dissidents" do not confine themselves to campaigning, but also go on to demonstration actions. Stories about how in the spring some young people, wanting to prove that the coronavirus is supposedly not dangerous, licked the walls of houses, in memory of everyone who followed the development of the situation. But such "performances", in the end, are only the business of those who participate in them. But when, in the comments on the page of a well-known parental organization, a certain lady proudly talks about how she achieved the abolition of sanitizers and measuring the temperature of children at the school where her granddaughter studies, it is already much more dangerous.
Finally, the following should not be forgotten. Yes, for a reasonable person who has preserved the knowledge acquired in Soviet schools and institutes, the arguments of the deniers of the coronavirus and anti-vaccines will only cause a smile. However, according to a study conducted by the Directorate for Expert and Analytical Work of the Higher School of Economics, 9.6% of respondents doubted the real danger of coronavirus back in May of this year , and 23.2% were convinced that the epidemic was fiction . The numbers are not that small and cannot but cause alarm.
Because one should not assume that the denial of objectively existing phenomena, the denial of scientific approaches to understanding them, and, if necessary, approaches to combating them, the replacement of the materialistic perception of reality with conspiracy theories, conjectures and rumors will remain only within the framework of the topic of coronavirus infection. In the absence of effective countermeasures, counter-propaganda, in the absence of scientific education of people, these phenomena will cover more and more spheres of human society. And in this case it will be very difficult, if not impossible, to talk about any progressive social transformations.
Alexey Serpokrylov
https://www.rotfront.su/kto-takie-kovid ... i-pochemu/
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