Families torn apart by Covid conspiracy theories

A former Geelong woman has detailed how her mum become swept up in the Covid anti-vax movement. A local psychologist gives his tips on how to handle such a situation.

Geelong families are being divided by conspiracy theories and Covid-related misinformation.

Anna (not her real name) has watched her relationship with her mother, who has become a staunch anti-vaxxer during the pandemic, deteriorate.

Anna, aged in her 20s, grew up in the Geelong region but has recently moved interstate.

Just last year, Anna’s mum had ended a friendship with someone who fell down the “rabbit hole” of conspiracy theories.

“We discussed it often last year and would laugh about how ridiculous her friend had become and how much of a cult it was,” Anna said.

But then Anna moved interstate, and she saw her own mother, who previously held “progressive” views, swept up in the anti-vax movement.

Covid graffiti in Geelong. Picture: Alison Wynd

She said her mum, who remains in the Geelong area, had “always” been hesitant about vaccinations.

“What I noticed was once I moved it, it was kind of like maybe I wasn’t there to decipher what the facts are to my mum,” Anna said.

“Not only did she become proper anti-vax, it also changed her entire personality and political preference.”

“She uses social media a lot and she has severe anxiety, she follows a lot of ultra right-wing pages and I seriously think it is her fear that is making her latch onto these decisions.”

Signage during a Reignite Democracy Australia rally held at Geelong West in July. Picture: Mark Wilson

Anna and her mum have had arguments that have resulted in not speaking.

She said her mother “went nuts” when she learnt Anna was double vaccinated.

“I definitely hope I can mend the relationship I have with her but it ended up becoming so obsessive, every time I spoke to her she would bring (her views) up and said things that don’t align with my values at all,” Anna said.

Geelong psychologist Chris Mackey said people sending anti-vaxxer material to friends or relatives could lead to offence.

“There also can be a polarising situation if someone tells a family member they’re an idiot for not having the vaccine, or has an angry or judgmental response,” Mr Mackey said.

Mr Mackey said psychologists from the Chris Mackey and Associates practice had seen some clients who had experienced distress due to conflict caused by pandemic-related beliefs.

Mr Mackey said alienated family members could be more likely to seek out “extreme” views.

“When people are socially isolated, or face threat, people become a little bit more risk averse … that may have contributed to a lot of people’s wariness,” Mr Mackey said.

“It’s never a good idea to be overly rigid or judgmental because then we lose the capacity for understanding and our capacity to influence and support others.”

Vaccination status is creating tension ahead of gatherings now restrictions are easing, Mr Mackey said.

“When people have different political views often in families people will show a degree of diplomacy,” he said.

“The thing with vaccines is it’s a little more complicated.”

Originally published as Families torn apart by Covid conspiracy theories