Melissa Rein Lively lowest point: a mental health crisis brought on by family trauma exacerbated by the pandemic that led to her getting sucked into believing far-right conspiracy theories espoused by Qanoon. The incident also proved to be her turning point, because she was finally forced to confront her painful past.

Lively had started compulsively reading about the virus just before the March lockdown, after which she lost half of her business overnight. Coupled with not seeing friends or going to the gym, this sent her into a downward spiral.

She tells me: “All I was doing was sitting at home on my couch, scrolling and getting more and more worked up and scared. I became all-consumed with it, but also feeling compelled to share this information. Over several months it completely replaced the way I thought and convinced me the sky was green.” While corruption in government and unscrupulous politicians make the headlines, QAnon theories go further in demonizing people, she says.