Australian conspiracy theorists believe $10 bill contains hidden message showing coronavirus is global plot to vaccinate people
Mysterious virus-like symbol is actually country’s national flower
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.An Australian bank note is the latest target of conspiracy theorists who do not believe the threat from coronavirus is real.
In the bottom right-hand corner of the $10 note sits a spiky design superficially reminiscent of the Covid-19 virus particle with which the world is now familiar.
A new conspiracy claim apparently suggests it may represent “proof” the global Covid-19 pandemic is an elaborate hoax, hidden in the notes first released in 2017.
According to Australian news website News.com.au, a post on a popular local anti-coronavirus Facebook group includes a photo of a design on the note with the caption: “The new $10 Australian note complete with coronavirus symbols. You can’t make this up! #areyouawakeyet.”
Reportedly, the group, which has organised small protests in Sydney and Melbourne, believe the pandemic is an orchestrated effort by billionaires and governments to force vaccinations on the general population.
Supporters of the group have reportedly pointed to a bogus video titled “Plandemic” which purports to provide evidence for a host of conspiracy theories loosely tied to the Covid-19 outbreak.
These include a claim from Judy Mikovits, an anti-vaccine activist, who states that wearing masks somehow activates the disease within people. She doesn’t provide any evidence for this spurious assertion and criticises orders to stay away from beaches. The entire video has been debunked.
The movement has also incorporated other baseless beliefs, including that 5G mobile antennas are dangerous to human health and are somehow related to coronavirus. All this has also been debunked.
The design on the bank note features three spiky circular shapes, which could be said to look a bit like highly magnified viruses.
There is, however, a simpler explanation: the design represents the round spiky shape of bramble wattle flowers. The plant, a type of acacia, is native to Australia. Its close relative, the golden wattle, was made the official floral emblem of the country in 1988.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments