DEBUNKED: Why 5G Does NOT Cause Coronavirus
Since the rise of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have been forced to self-quarantine and stay socially distant from all others. For the most part, we have been doing our best. However, like for most things, there is a flip-side to this coin. A conspiracy theory suggesting that COVID-19 was created by the government was gaining traction, and this eventually spiraled into the theory that 5G internet causes coronavirus. This is totally and unequivocally untrue. These theories are dangerous to us as a society, and can cause a chaos of misinformation that can be stopped if we are more well informed. So, in this article, I will break down this theory and officially DEBUNK it!
Why Do People Believe This?
Before we try and debunk this theory, it is important to think from the believers’ perspective. What is their reasoning? Are they using actual scientific information and credible sources for their evidence? In the section below, I have listed some reasons which are used as evidence for their theory.
- On January 22nd, 2020, a general practitioner named Kris Van Kerckhoven groundlessly told a newspaper called Laatse Nieuws that 5G was life-threatening and linked to COVID-19, as Wired reported. A correction was quickly issued on the website, but it was too late. Anti-5G groups began spreading the rumor, and desperate for some sense of order, believed this implausible lie.
- As this theory was gaining even more traction, Singer M.I.A. baselessly tweeted, “I don’t think 5G gives you COVID-19. I think it can confuse or slow the body down in healing process as body is learning to cope with new signals [wavelengths] frequency etc.”
- A claim made by conspiracy theorists is that 5G can break chemical bonds. This is a very common claim by believers of the conspiracy theory.
Why is This Wrong?
Most conspiracy is based on misinformation. Many people, even people experienced in the scientific field, say that 5G might cause coronavirus, even though they have no foundation or evidence. Then, out of some level of desperation or fear, we rationalize and try to justify these implausible claims with bad science. Although rationalizing can be positive in some sort of situations, it can be extremely detrimental when combined with science. When we make up science to rationalize about other science, it doesn’t end well.
What Can We Do?
In the end, there is always going to be some kind of crazy conspiracy out there during tragic times like these. It is important that we are all aware of the constant misinformation being spread around, especially through platforms like WhatsApp. However, if we become more alert about this and listen to reliable sources like the WHO, CDC, and other scientifically credible people, we can get through this together.
