Essential Research: coronavirus restrictions and conspiracy theories

A poll suggests a significant proportion of the population believes coronavirus was engineered in a Chinese laboratory, but other conspiracy theories remain consigned to the fringe.

Courtesy of The Guardian, some headline results of another weekly Essential Research poll on coronavirus, the full report of which should be published later today. This includes regular questions on federal and state governments’ handling with the crisis, of which we are only told that respondents remain highly positive, and on easing restrictions, for which we are told only 25% now consider it too soon, which is down two on last time and has been consistently declining over five surveys.

Beyond that, the survey gauged response to a number of what might be described as conspiracy theories concerning the virus. By far the most popular was the notion that the virus “was engineered and released from a Chinese laboratory in Wuhan”, which has received a certain amount of encouragement from the Daily Telegraph but is starkly at odds with the scientific consensus. Agreement and disagreement with this proposition was tied on 39%.

Thirteen per cent subscribed to a theory that Bill Gates was involved in the creation and spread of the virus, with 71% disagreeing; 13% agreed the virus was not dangerous and was being used to force people to get vaccines, with 79% disagreeing; 12% thought the 5G network was being used to spread the virus, with 75% disagreeing; and 20% agreed the number of deaths was being exaggerated, with “more than 70%” disagreeing. The poll also found 77% agreed that the outbreak in China was worse than the official statistics showed.

The poll was conducted Thursday to Sunday from a sample of 1073.

UPDATE: Full report here.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

3,318 comments on “Essential Research: coronavirus restrictions and conspiracy theories”

Comments Page 59 of 67
1 58 59 60 67
  1. More evidence that Corbyn stank up the place for Labour in the UK and made them unelectable.

    ForgottenGenius
    @ExStrategist
    · 9h
    Corbyn/Starmer ratings Ipsos Mori

    Corbyn election 2019/Starmer now

    Men (minus)-50/+5
    Women -39/+10
    18-34 -21/+18
    35-44 -46/+4
    55+ -60/+3
    ABC1 -44/+14
    C2DE -45/+1

    Labour supporters +24 /+63%

  2. CI – stronger and smarter. They have learnt how to destroy institutions people hold dear without losing elections. They play the long game, death by a thousand cuts, and never miss an opportunity.

    And they have built a loyal tribal base who don’t care/realise that the policies they vote for hurt them the most… so long as those bloody greenies and lefties don’t get in and take away their weekend and their utes and fill the place with brown people.

  3. SK

    Yes I agree. That and fix the stuff up being reported of taking the black vote for granted.

    Trump has a record now and its not friendly to those that voted for Obama and Trump.

  4. The coronavirus may still be spreading at epidemic rates in 24 states, particularly in the South and Midwest, according to new research that highlights the risk of a second wave of infections in places that reopen too quickly or without sufficient precautions.

    Researchers at Imperial College London created a model that incorporates cellphone data showing that people sharply reduced their movements after stay-at-home orders were broadly imposed in March. With restrictions now easing and mobility increasing with the approach of Memorial Day and the unofficial start of summer, the researchers developed an estimate of viral spread as of May 17.

    It is a snapshot of a transitional moment in the pandemic and captures the patchwork nature across the country of covid-19, the disease caused by the virus. Some states have had little viral spread or “crushed the curve” to a great degree and have some wiggle room to reopen their economies without generating a new epidemic-level surge in cases. Others are nowhere near containing the virus.

    https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2020/05/22/coronavirus-update-us/#link-DOOSU3WKX5HWZJ5UABGP6FQVFY

  5. Just made myself a strong coffee and read through the posts from 8.00 pm last night onwards, wow the vitriol and self righteousness of Poll Bludger has moved to whole different level!

    I spent yesterday at my mothers funeral delivering her eulogy which was cathartic, put things in perspective. She was a social justice advocate who was a teacher / school principal in housing commission areas and always challenged my perspectives and how I look at things. Especially about people and the complex backgrounds they come from, she lived the concept of empathy –

    Reckon we all need to get over the amount of posting cheap personal shots it does not improve anything

    Let’s hope the day shift improves!

    Have a great one all – the sun is out down here in Tassie, I am heading up Kunyani / Mt Wellington for a walk

  6. The LNP are living in a smug, well-heeled bubble and they refuse to look at the queues at food banks, the pleading from charities and the sheer desperation of the unemployed and homeless.

    I’d like to see Joshie turned out of his comfortable home for the winter – and this year he can’t escape to Queensland. 😉

  7. Scout,
    Don’t forget that your mum would love you to keep fighting for her causes, so don’t take the Black Dog for a long walk. Cheers and I hope you keep coming back to PB. Just ignore the snarly stuff. It’s what C+ is for. Take care. 🙂

  8. Washington has taken over from New York as the new American hotspot for COVID-19. There’s something karmic about that.

  9. lizzie @ #2905 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 9:56 am

    The LNP are living in a smug, well-heeled bubble and they refuse to look at the queues at food banks, the pleading from charities and the sheer desperation of the unemployed and homeless.

    I’d like to see Joshie turned out of his comfortable home for the winter – and this year he can’t escape to Queensland. 😉

    How about the miraculous scene. where Mr. Frydenberg develops a conscience and harrangues his colleagues. “Repent”……..etc

    Cold windy day in Newcastle. 🌬

  10. World famous TV Psychic John Edward has been forced to postpone his upcoming tour of Australia originally planned to take place later in the year, owing to “unforeseen circumstances” surrounding the coronavirus outbreak.

    According to the press release sent out in February, John has “helped thousands with his uncanny ability to predict future events” and would be touring Australia both in March and September this year. However, Edwards was forced to cancel his March promotional tour shortly after the announcement, and the end of year tour has now been pushed back to November pending further notice, with those unable to make the new dates offered a full refund once the new dates are fully confirmed.

  11. @SpaceKiddette tweets

    Not buying the ‘businesses filled in the form wrong’ bullshit excuse behind the biggest stuff up in history. And I’m not buying ‘it was Treasury’s fault’ either. They play with these numbers all day and can pick an outlier a mile off.

    So intrepid journo’s what is the real story?

  12. C@t:

    With Trump’s order on churches etc I reckon we’re about to see another round of religious folk testing positive for coronavirus.

  13. With Trump’s order on churches etc I reckon we’re about to see another round of religious folk testing positive for coronavirus.
    ___
    A case of enforced Darwinism?

  14. Simon Katich says:
    Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 9:40 am
    CI – stronger and smarter. They have learnt how to destroy institutions people hold dear without losing elections. They play the long game, death by a thousand cuts, and never miss an opportunity.

    And they have built a loyal tribal base who don’t care/realise that the policies they vote for hurt them the most… so long as those bloody greenies and lefties don’t get in and take away their weekend and their utes and fill the place with brown people.

    Yes. They are successful. They not only win, they manage to implement their program, step by step. The task ahead for Labor is absolutely formidable. In the meantime the decadence, the corruption, the dysfunction and the injustice will continue.

  15. C@t not taking the black dog for the wander my brother usually has the said lingering hound with him due to trauma experienced as a cop will be taking my 12 year old son who sets the pace and my brother.
    Will continue to tackle issues, and will attempt to do so without vitriol.

    Thanks Confessions / Kayjay

  16. It is mildly amusing (?) that Morrison constantly boasts that they are spending the “largest amounts ever” on everything they touch (which is no revelation because we know it’s always going to happen with a growing population).

    Now his chickens have come home to roost with no feathers. Yes, this IS the biggest ever. The biggest ever mistake by a Treasurer.

    Bill Mitchell
    @billy_blog
    16h
    I repeat what I have said often in the last weeks – the fiscal stimulus is at least 50% less than it should be.
    Now it is more like 70% less. Trying to make virtue of the fact that you are spending $60b less than you thought while UR skyrockets should disqualify one from office.

  17. Thanks BK for some good reading with the Dawn Patrol. 😲

    I am now quite firmly convinced that being rational is a hindrance to a peaceful state of mind. Never mind – what fun it is to be able to ascend the moral high ground when contemplating the Parliamentary rabble. 😲

  18. The National Cabinet process/instrument has gone into recess, it seems. No more power-sharing by Morrison and his platoon. It’s the good old days again. Incompetence. Stupidity. Vanity. Deception. Mockery.

    Such is our lot.

  19. The LibNats are going to try to run a deep recession they same way they ran a light recession – by labour repression, fiscal repression, environmental pillage and political stunts. Happy days.

  20. @EHMiller tweets

    We aren’t saving $60billion.

    We’re losing $60billion worth of household incomes, money flowing through small business tills, support for the retail industry, groceries for the kids.

  21. It’s hard not to feel hopeless. The government has no talent and tries to cover incompetence with lies and spin. Yet the RW Press props them up.

    Bruce Haigh
    @bruce_haigh
    11m
    #auspol #jobkeeper The incompetence of this government is mind blowing. I have no confidence in the future. The LNP/IPA are way out of their depth.

  22. This is a repost, for the benefit of Nicholas, clematlee, WWP, A-E and other Joe Biden doubters – senile, pervert, can’t string 2 words together, hiding in a basement to avoid scrutiny, no vision, no policies, demonstrable failure of the Democratic establishment…

    This 50 minute interview with Stephen Colbert yesterday puts those perceptions in the bin – not bad for a 77 year old who has struggled with a chronic stutter all his life.

    https://youtu.be/6VB032Q1ozg

  23. lizzie says:
    Saturday, May 23, 2020 at 10:38 am
    It’s hard not to feel hopeless. The government has no talent and tries to cover incompetence with lies and spin. Yet the RW Press props them up.

    I’ve seldom felt so dejected, lizzie. Truly, we are in trouble now.

  24. Bruce Haigh
    @bruce_haigh
    11m
    #auspol #jobkeeper The incompetence of this government is mind blowing. I have no confidence in the future. The LNP/IPA are way out of their depth.
    ___
    Trying to live in yesterday’s world that ceased to exist once the coronavirus got started.

  25. Sally McManus giving a pointer on the $60b stuff up..

    @sallymcmanus : “The estimates are very likely wrong because the statistics on the number of people with permanent secure jobs in Australia have been way out for a while seriously under-estimating the number of casual and insecure jobs.”

  26. BK @ #2929 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 8:40 am

    Bruce Haigh
    @bruce_haigh
    11m
    #auspol #jobkeeper The incompetence of this government is mind blowing. I have no confidence in the future. The LNP/IPA are way out of their depth.
    ___
    Trying to live in yesterday’s world that ceased to exist once the coronavirus got started.

    Not helped either by the fact that the coalition have their C Team of MPs and ministers. Obama said it best: the coronavirus crisis would test even the best of governments. But we’re going through it with the not-even-also-rans which isn’t helping (or wtte).

  27. sprocket_,
    Yes I’ve been waiting patiently for Nicholas to pop up and defend Tara Reade’s virtue again. I wonder why he hasn’t? 🙂

  28. Only a coincidence, of course. Bad news drops on Friday and Morrison goes missing until he has restored his confidence on Sunday morning by consulting his god-mentor.

  29. lizzie @ #2934 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 10:56 am

    Only a coincidence, of course. Bad news drops on Friday and Morrison goes missing until he has restored his confidence on Sunday morning by consulting his god-mentor.

    He’s also always got a ready-made excuse for going incommunicado. This week? He’s been working on his speech. 🙄

  30. Socrates @ #2890 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 9:16 am

    As some in Labor drift ever further to the right they naturally wish to blame the left for their electoral failures, even though the right wing neo-Liberal project is effectively dead. There is a huge opportunity to attack the current government and its inept treasurer right now, yet some here would rather attack the Greens. Madness.

    Yes, it is madness that there are Labor people who claim to be from the “left” but spend their entire time defendine hardline neoliberal policies.

    However, as I have pointed out before, the two are not unrelated. As Labor drift ever rightwards, it is their own left-wing rump that are their real enemy. The Greens are merely used as a convenient proxy.

    When some people here claim to be from the “left”, I think they must mean slightly to the left of the Liberal party.

  31. sprocket_ @ #2930 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 10:44 am

    Sally McManus giving a pointer on the $60b stuff up..

    @sallymcmanus : “The estimates are very likely wrong because the statistics on the number of people with permanent secure jobs in Australia have been way out for a while seriously under-estimating the number of casual and insecure jobs.”

    I think it’s important to understand what Sally McManus is hinting at here. That is, how many employees were ‘off the books’? They were there doing the jobs everyone could see but were getting cash-in-hand wages.

  32. Excellent long piece on the state of play with the selection process for a female running mate for Joe Biden,,,

    “The background checks, interviews, and vetting are unfolding behind closed doors in Washington and Wilmington, and on secured Zoom calls. But Joe Biden’s invitation-only search for a running mate is starting to look like an open audition with an audience of 300 million.

    Stuck at home staring at his basement camera and iPhone, Biden has kept his cards close, refusing to express any preference for any of the dozen or so women he’s considering to join his ticket. That hasn’t stopped just about everyone who has his number from flooding him with advice since he effectively wrapped up the Democratic presidential nomination in March. And ever since he named a committee to lead the formal selection process last month, that group has been inundated with recommendations from just about everyone else — including via unsolicited texts from a handful of lawmakers promoting their friends as viable contenders, and searching for gossip, after word leaked among some House members in mid-May that Biden’s team had started asking candidates for references.”

    https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/joe-bidens-vp-search-is-turning-into-an-open-audition.html

  33. The problem with the Greens is the problem cannot be solved.

    They campaign against Labor, that is a given and fully supported by people like guytaur. If their campaign is successful this will weaken Labor. To claim otherwise is to claim the Greens can’t campaign, that is a nonsense.

    The Greens will never form government, the aim of the Greens is to create a situation where Labor will have to make some arrangement with the Green party. It is this reality that the Liberals use to weaken Labor.

    The Greens effectively campaign for the Liberals.

    This reality was brought into sharp contrast with the Greens Adani campaign. Contrary to the Greens campaign message Labors position was very clear and sane, there will be no government subsidy, we will not give the owners a free kick by creating a sovereign risk that they can take to court, the economics of the mine do not stack up.

    The Greens and the Liberals message may have been bullshit but they were also clear. The Liberals, Labor are going to destroy your jobs because they will partner with the Greens. The Greens, if you don’t vote for us Adani will go ahead. A perfect anti Labor partnership.

    I don’t think there is any doubt Labor will not forgive the Greens for Adani ( and the attempt by Green elite to walk away from the bastardy act, would indicate they have worked that out, it is now all Bob Browns fault). I was surprised guytaur tried to give it another run the other day, old habits die hard I suppose.

    There is no doubt many in Labor have concluded the reality of the politics has to be pointed out, CI being a vocal example, A first preference vote for the greens is $2 plus for the Greens to campaign against Labor, that is, to campaign in support of the Liberals.

  34. This seems like a continuation of a sad trend.

    I wonder if an attempted murder charge will be placed, or is one the charges an equivalent?

    Greenacre crash: driver who crashed into hijab shop faces court

    Greenacre man, 51, has been charged with multiple offences including driving furiously, reckless driving and negligent driving

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/23/greenacre-crash-driver-who-crashed-into-hijab-shop-faces-court

  35. Just been for a walk around the neighbourhood having a sticky at all the damage from the tornado that ripped through waurn ponds during the week. The rain pelting the bedroom window woke me up and then it hit. Lightning that turned night into day and then the sound. Sounded like a fleet of low flying fighter jets. Thank good for my new colour bond roof, the old terracotta tiles would have been gone in seconds.

  36. Player One

    I can never quite understand the core of your argument.

    Labor people who claim to be from the “left” but spend their entire time defending hardline neoliberal policies.

    Are you talking about Labor MPs, or poster on PB?

  37. lizzie @ #2943 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 11:17 am

    Player One

    I can never quite understand the core of your argument.

    Labor people who claim to be from the “left” but spend their entire time defending hardline neoliberal policies.

    Are you talking about Labor MPs, or poster on PB?

    Posters here on PB. A small but well-defined and vocal group in particular.

  38. Player One @ #2944 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 11:19 am

    lizzie @ #2943 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 11:17 am

    Player One

    I can never quite understand the core of your argument.

    Labor people who claim to be from the “left” but spend their entire time defending hardline neoliberal policies.

    Are you talking about Labor MPs, or poster on PB?

    Posters here on PB. A small but well-defined and vocal group in particular.

    Although you could include Labor MPs such as “Coal” Fitzgibbon.

  39. Barney in Tanjung Bunga @ #2941 Saturday, May 23rd, 2020 – 11:16 am

    This seems like a continuation of a sad trend.

    I wonder if an attempted murder charge will be placed, or is one the charges an equivalent?

    Greenacre crash: driver who crashed into hijab shop faces court

    Greenacre man, 51, has been charged with multiple offences including driving furiously, reckless driving and negligent driving

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2020/may/23/greenacre-crash-driver-who-crashed-into-hijab-shop-faces-court

    It seems like he just didn’t give a rat’s. Someone in another car done him a perceived wrong so he determined to make them pay but ended up causing carnage on a grand scale instead.

Comments Page 59 of 67
1 58 59 60 67

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *