There is a lot to it. First once someone believes in one conspiracy theory, they are very likely to believe in other conspiracy theories. So a lot of anti vaxers easily transitioned into Qanon and vice versa. So we aren’t going to see this going away anytime soon. Also look at the percentage of Republicans that believe Trump won the election. It is a conspiracy theory, these people are now ripe to believe other conspiracy theories.
You are right there. I watched a CNN special tonight about how Q started, and how people were sucked into this rabbit hole of clues and cryptic messaging. It became a game, and a social belonging talking about the clues and conspiracies. To make a long story short, many felt a sense of belonging to this group. Many are the same types other more violent extremists lure in. Lonely hearts club types. Now they worry other more violent or extremist groups, such as Proud Boys, etc...may begin wanting to bring these QAnon believers, or now disillusioned QAnon in and form bigger followings. It's very jihadist like, in the way people are drawn into these groups through these internet and social media rabbit holes of mind manipulation that they fall for, or that attracts them. They believe they are fighting this enemy portrayed to them or fighting for this chosen one or higher power. It's scary really how normal non-violent or innocent people can be lured into joining these groups and completely changed into a totally different person.
Conservatives in the Trump government also blocked access to vaccines: https://www.yahoo.com/news/trump-appointees-aggressively-lobbied-against-082800859.html
The NYTimes did a story a week ago about a woman who became fully into Q and a lot of it did seem to be that she was feeling isolated and discovered a community there. What was worse was the more she got into Q the more the rest of her friends and family distanced themselves from her so she got deeper in. When confronted about how pretty much nothing Q predicted as come true she just dug in deeper.
From what I recall is that the anti-vaxx movement started on the Left and one reason why it was initially first big in very blue areas of CA and OR. It has since been taken up by anti-government and anti-globalization groups on the Right.
It did start on the Left. It was adopted by a lot of wealthy granola moms. Once science shot it down, many of those same granola families felt abandoned by the left. Almost all of them now are Trump supporters and Qanon followers. Many anti vaxers now are fundamentalist Christians. A lot of what we are seeing started with the anti vaxer movement. I am just waiting for the next shoe to drop, this isn’t just going away. Psychologists have discussed that once the portal is open to believing in a conspiracy theory that those same people will long term believe in other ones. What does that mean long term?
It's because they don't have to deal with the consequences. They can't see the viruses with their own eyes and they feel "fine" and so they don't care if some stranger's baby dies from measles due to their selfisness. But NOW they will have to deal with the consequences. I have met two antivaxxers during the pandemic from my extended family and friends. Before that I didn't know they were antivaxxers. It doesn't matter what scientific argument one brings up they just don't care. But what both cared about was when I said that they won't be able to get on an airplane,board a ship or use public transportation from now on if they don't get vaccinated. Yes they didn't care about a pandemic but they did care about their summer holidays. "The government can't force me to get the vaccine" True. They can't. But they can and they will stop you from reaching half the country and your summer house in the islands from now on and in the future for the rest of your life. In fact after our discussion one of those two got vaccinated for the first time in her life. Real consequences in everyday life and conveniences goes a long way to compliance.
