Maintenance Phase: COVID Conspiracies
Hosted by Aubrey Gordon & Michael Hobbes
Release Date: March 7, 2024

Overview

In the March 7, 2024 episode of Maintenance Phase, hosts Aubrey Gordon and Michael Hobbes delve deep into the web of COVID-19 conspiracies that emerged during the pandemic. The episode meticulously dissects how misinformation around drugs like ibuprofen, ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, and vitamin D proliferated, the role of media and influential figures in spreading these myths, and the broader implications for public health and trust in scientific institutions.

1. The Rapid Emergence of COVID Conspiracies

Michael Hobbs opens the discussion by highlighting how swiftly conspiracy theories took root following the initial reports of COVID-19. Within just a month of the virus's first mention, publications like the Daily Mail began disseminating unverified claims about lab leaks and bioweapons.

[02:42] Michael Hobbs: "One of the main things that I want to convey in this episode is, like, just how quickly conspiracies emerged."

Aubrey Gordon concurs, reflecting on conversations with educated individuals who nonetheless believed dubious claims.

[05:05] Aubrey Gordon: "I remember really, really smart, thoughtful people that I know. Utterly bananas stuff."

2. Ibuprofen: From Speculation to Misinformation

The hosts discuss an early hypothesis suggesting that ibuprofen might exacerbate COVID-19 outcomes, originating from a non-peer-reviewed preprint.

[08:03] Michael Hobbs: "This episode is a call out of myself."

They explore how preliminary findings were sensationalized by influencers and government officials, leading to widespread confusion and unnecessary caution among the public.

[10:29] Aubrey Gordon: "It's another place where you're like the social and sort of psychological ends, end of this comes into play."

3. Ivermectin: The Anti-Parasite Miracle?

Ivermectin, an anti-parasitic drug, became a focal point of COVID-19 misinformation. Initially promising in cell culture studies (though using impractical dosages for humans), ivermectin was touted as a cheap and effective treatment despite lacking robust clinical evidence.

[12:00] Michael Hobbs: "Ivermectin is one of the drugs that they use. It's very cheap. It is very effective at killing parasites."

The episode chronicles how observational studies and fraudulent research seeded the belief in ivermectin's efficacy, leading to misuse, poisonings from animal formulations, and increased emergency room visits.

[26:09] Michael Hobbs: "But it's been very well established by now that Ivermectin does not do anything for Covid."

4. Hydroxychloroquine: From Hype to Hazard

Hydroxychloroquine, another drug repurposed for COVID-19, followed a similar trajectory. Initially promoted based on speculative mechanisms and small studies, it was later found to increase mortality rates in larger, more rigorous trials.

[35:02] Aubrey Gordon: "He has written book-length odes to vitamin D and has warned in multiple scholarly articles about, quote, vitamin D deficiency pandemic."

The hosts examine the Surgisphere scandal, where fraudulent data led to the retraction of major studies in The Lancet and New England Journal of Medicine, undermining trust in scientific publishing.

[53:53] Aubrey Gordon: "Both the Lancet and the New England Journal of Medicine finally withdrew their studies in shame."

5. Vitamin D: The Supplement Industry’s Sweet Spot

Vitamin D became another pillar of COVID-19 conspiracies, with claims that adequate levels could prevent infection and reduce mortality. Despite early observational studies suggesting correlations, subsequent randomized controlled trials found no significant benefits.

[56:13] Michael Hobbs: "This whole thing, vitamin D, osteoporosis, like, you hear all these, you know, bone fractures, and it prevents heart attacks and it makes you live longer, whatever."

The episode critiques the supplement industry's role in perpetuating these myths, highlighting the financial incentives behind promoting vitamin D despite lackluster evidence.

[81:18] Michael Hobbs: "The vitamin supplement industry is a $40 billion a year industry. The vitamin D industry, just vitamin D is a billion dollar industry."

6. The Partisan Divide and Institutional Failures

Gordon and Hobbs argue that COVID-19 conspiracies are predominantly a right-wing phenomenon, fueled by media outlets like Fox News and Breitbart. They discuss how these platforms propagate misinformation, benefiting from heightened viewership and distrust in scientific institutions.

[84:48] Michael Hobbs: "The right wing has a lot more conspiracy stuff than the left wing. It feels like it fits your priors too well."

They emphasize the importance of addressing the systemic issues that allow such conspiracies to thrive, including the lack of rigorous fact-checking and the emotional appeal that these theories exploit.

[86:10] Aubrey Gordon: "It benefits them in reality. It benefits them in viewership."

7. Conclusion: Lessons Learned and Moving Forward

In wrapping up, the hosts reflect on the human impulse to seek comfort and stability in uncertain times, which made populations vulnerable to conspiracy theories. They advocate for stronger scientific communication, transparency, and institutional accountability to rebuild trust and combat misinformation.

[83:28] Michael Hobbs: "We have an ecosystem of grifters... they double down. It then has to become this conspiracy and this forbidden knowledge."

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Hobbs [02:42]: "Just how quickly conspiracies emerged."
• Aubrey Gordon [05:05]: "Utterly bananas stuff."
• Michael Hobbs [08:03]: "This episode is a call out of myself."
• Michael Hobbs [26:09]: "Ivermectin does not do anything for Covid."
• Aubrey Gordon [53:53]: "Withdraw in shame."
• Michael Hobbs [81:18]: "Vitamin supplement industry is a $40 billion a year industry."
• Michael Hobbs [84:48]: "Right wing has a lot more conspiracy stuff than the left wing."
• Michael Hobbs [86:10]: "There’s money in keeping people scared."

Key Takeaways:

• Speed of Misinformation: Conspiracies surrounding COVID-19 drugs emerged rapidly, often based on preliminary or fraudulent studies.
• Media Amplification: Influential media outlets and public figures played significant roles in amplifying these myths.
• Partisan Dynamics: COVID-19 conspiracies are largely entrenched in right-wing ideologies, exacerbated by specific media ecosystems.
• Institutional Trust: The spread of misinformation has eroded trust in scientific institutions, highlighting the need for improved communication and accountability.
• Human Psychology: In times of crisis, the desire for simple solutions makes populations susceptible to complex conspiratorial narratives.

This episode serves as a comprehensive examination of how COVID-19 conspiracies gained traction, the interplay between media and misinformation, and the broader societal implications for public health and trust in science.