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posted by Fnord666 on Friday April 24 2020, @02:22PM   Printer-friendly
from the Betteridge-says-nope dept.

Coronavirus: Scientists brand 5G claims 'complete rubbish':

Conspiracy theories claiming 5G technology helps transmit coronavirus have been condemned by the scientific community.

Videos have been shared on social media showing mobile phone masts on fire in Birmingham and Merseyside - along with the claims.

The UK's mobile networks have reported 20 cases of masts being targeted in suspected arson attacks over the Easter weekend, including damage to a mast providing mobile connectivity to Birmingham's Nightingale Hospital.

The posts have been shared on Facebook, YouTube and Instagram - including by verified accounts with hundreds of thousands of followers.

TV regulator Ofcom is assessing comments made by presenter Eamonn Holmes in which he cast doubts on media outlets for their attempts to debunk the claims.

But scientists say the idea of a connection between Covid-19 and 5G is "complete rubbish" and biologically impossible.

The conspiracy theories have been branded "the worst kind of fake news" by NHS England Medical Director Stephen Powis.

[...] Many of those sharing the post are pushing a conspiracy theory falsely claiming that 5G - which is used in mobile phone networks and relies on signals carried by radio waves - is somehow responsible for coronavirus.

Tough sledding for the engineers, but concerns about 5G have been raised prior to the coronavirus.


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  • (Score: 4, Informative) by legont on Friday April 24 2020, @05:40PM (1 child)

    by legont (4179) on Friday April 24 2020, @05:40PM (#986595)

    The willingness of people to attack 5G rollout over stupid conspiracy theories proves something pretty meaningful, I think. People don't give 2 shits about 5G.

    There is always a minority that likes or hates something. I am sure "burn Apple stores" would be even more popular.

    --
    "Wealth is the relentless enemy of understanding" - John Kenneth Galbraith.
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  • (Score: 2) by Phoenix666 on Friday April 24 2020, @10:03PM

    by Phoenix666 (552) on Friday April 24 2020, @10:03PM (#986710) Journal

    True. My best friend is a professional clown. He invited me to watch them bring the elephants through the Midtown Tunnel on the way to the Barnum and Bailey Circus in Madison Square Garden. There were people protesting the use of animals in the circus.

    --
    Washington DC delenda est.