COVID-19, conspiracies and manufactured consent

Abstract

Abstract Questions about what comes next for the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic have been posed by the editors to everyone except those who proliferate conspiracy theories. Conspiracy theories have consequences for public health. Making these dangers known can initiate discussions on public trust. The problem is that the pressing concerns of the pandemic have enabled manufactured consent to be a suspicious thing known of the propaganda model more than ever. Although such a model can be put into question, the public must also be able to practice empathy and true choice so that asking and responding to the questions at hand considers a responsibility to public health.