We don’t want to go over this again, but it appears that large swathes of the internet – including some celebrities – are still spreading a conspiracy theory about 5G technology and how it’s spreading Covid-19.
It’s wrong and misleading and we’ve already written about it here and here. But, according to Ofcom, half of UK adults have been exposed to false or misleading information about the coronavirus in the last week.
So, we’re going to go over this 5G thing again.
One myth goes that 5G radio waves suppress the human immune system therefore making it easier to catch coronavirus as it continues to spread around the world. And, as such, idiots have been attacking telephone masts just at the time the world’s population needs its communications infrastructure intact and working.
If you’re not quite sure what 5G is, it’s data transferred over a radio spectrum separated into ‘bands’ which relates to the frequency of the radio waves.
It is taking over from 4G and offers faster and more stable communications for devices (phones, laptops and industrial equipment) that’s capable of receiving the signal. It has no effect on the human body.
Your microwave emits a more powerful wavelength than the nearby 5G mast. Don’t just take it from me, either.
Dr Gero Baiarda is one of the hundreds of GPs currently on-call at GPDQ – the UK’s leading GP-on-demand service. And he also thinks the 5G conspiracy theory is ridiculous. There have been many research studies that demonstrate this beyond all doubt,’ he told Metro.co.uk.
‘5G occupies the same wavelengths as those previously used by analogue TV. The reason that you can no longer access the analogue television signal is because it was phased out to make way for new 5G mobile phone technology.
‘Therefore, claiming that 5G waves will weaken your immune system to the point that you are defenceless against Covid-19 is like saying that the old-fashioned TV signals caused pandemics. We lived with them for more than 70 years, and they clearly did not.’
Amazingly, the idea that 5G can weaken our immune system isn’t the only myth doing the rounds at the moment.
Some people – I can’t imagine who (but probably those without the capacity for abstract thought) believe the coronavirus can actually be transported by 5G signals into our bodies and infect us. Hey, I’m not saying these theories are smart, I’m just saying they exist.
‘To enter the human body, the virus needs to be absorbed by receptors in the mucous membranes predominantly found in our eyes, noses and mouths,’ explains Dr. Baiarda.
‘Therefore, for the 5G theory to be true, the virus would have to somehow hitch a ride on these very specific low frequency wavelengths, which is impossible, before making their way like guided missiles into your eyes, nose or mouth.
‘Social distancing is so effective because the virus has no way of moving on its own. It is not propelled much beyond 2 metres even by coughing and sneezing. It is, however, transferred very effectively from one person to another. This has been its primary mode of transmission.’
Ofcom and the government are currently talking to the social media companies to try and get them to work harder to suppress the spread of false information. The regulator has published research about people who have been exposed to falsehoods about the virus and it says that two thirds (66%) are seeing it every day.
Ofcom’s research shows:
Most people (55%) are ignoring false claims about coronavirus. Fifteen per cent are using fact-checking tips from the media while a similar proportion (13%) are double-checking with friends and family. One in 14 people are forwarding on false or misleading information about the virus.
Many people (40%) are finding it hard to know what is true or false about the virus. This rises to more than half (52%) of 18-24 year-olds.
Younger people are following official advice less closely. Virtually all people who took part in the survey said they are closely following the official advice to practice social distancing (98%); only go outside for essential reasons (97%); and wash their hands regularly (96%). However, only 65% of people said they were following handwashing advice very closely, and this falls to 43% among 18-24s.
This pandemic will leave a huge trail of debris in its wake, one of which will be the way information filters through our social networks – whether private or public.
Recently, the likes of Facebook, Google, Reddit, Microsoft and Twitter (among others) issued a statement saying they are ‘jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus’
‘We are working closely together on COVID-19 response efforts. We’re helping millions of people stay connected while also jointly combating fraud and misinformation about the virus, elevating authoritative content on our platforms, and sharing crucial updates in coordination with government healthcare agencies around the world,’ the statement read.
Joint Industry Statement from @Facebook, @google, @LinkedIn, @Microsoft, @reddit, @Twitter and @YouTube https://t.co/8H1XVFt2N0 pic.twitter.com/GGJdX7mFKb
— Facebook Newsroom (@fbnewsroom) March 17, 2020
https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
Whether what they’re doing is enough or not is a matter of debate. What’s not up for discussion is the fact that everyone – tech companies, media companies, celebrities, politicians and scientists, need to make sure the information they disseminate is as accurate and up-to-date as possible.
So, please trust me on this: there is no link between 5G technology and the spread of coronavirus.
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