No matter the details of the plot, conspiracy theories follow common patterns of thought. Ranta Images/iStock/Getty Images Plus John Cook, George Mason University; Sander van der Linden, University of Cambridge; Stephan Lewandowsky, University of Bristol, and Ullrich Ecker, University of Western Australia The conspiracy theory video “Plandemic” recently went viral. […] Read more »
How Covid-19 Is Spreading Through Rural Communities
During the past month, the spread of the Covid-19 virus has taken a turn across the country with two major impacts, as seen in the American Communities Project: Rural communities are seeing some of the biggest growth in cases, and Hispanic Centers and Native American Lands are seeing their infections […] Read more »
Trump’s Ratings on the Virus Are Sagging. Why Isn’t Biden Surging?
… The race between Mr. Biden and President Trump ought to be basically underway by now, but the horses seem unsure of how to get out of the stable, particularly in the case of Mr. Biden, who has been sheltering in place at home since March. While he has held […] Read more »
Trump is winning on the economy. That may not matter
The US economy is contracting. Jobs have been shed at a record pace during the coronavirus pandemic. Normally, a president would be blamed for the bad economy, and his economic and overall approval ratings would be declining at a rapid pace. Instead, Trump’s more than holding his own on the […] Read more »
Majority of Americans who lost a job or wages due to COVID-19 concerned states will reopen too quickly
Last week’s report on unemployment underscored the catastrophic impact the coronavirus outbreak has had on the U.S. economy. The focus in many states has now turned to reopening businesses and getting people back to work. However, most Americans – including 68% of those who have lost their jobs or taken […] Read more »
Rally (Mostly) ‘Round the (State) Flag
In an existential crisis, citizens frequently unite behind their political leaders. This “rally ‘round the flag” effect is well-documented, especially in the United States, where public support for the president can shoot up dramatically in times of emergency. George W. Bush benefited from a surge in popularity after the September […] Read more »