Page 42 - April-May 2020 Neat

42 COVID-19 / 5G - No Connection

COVID-19 has nothing to International Commission on Non-Ionizing
Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), for example,
do with 5G technology concluded that 5G was safe following a seven-
year study.

by Solarina Ho
The ICNIRP states that radiofrequency
electromagnetic fields (RF EMFs) exposure and
increased temperature can be harmful when it
exceeds a specific threshold, but that the study
TORONTO -- The COVID-19 pandemic has
found exposure to EMF frequencies currently
been fertile ground for a deluge of used in 5G are not dangerous. Specifically, there
misinformation and conspiracy theories. The
is no evidence EMFs cause cancer, infertility, or
latest one gaining wide traction is the false and
other health issues, according to a video
unscientific claim that links 5G wireless
presentation by the organization’s chairman,
technology to the novel coronavirus.
Eric van Rogen.
WHAT IS 5G?
The notion that the virus can somehow
“5G” is the fifth and newest generation in
found the original source of that footage which “communicate” through 5G is also not
cellular networking. It is expected to be a major
in fact, dates back to August 2019. The video, supported by science. That idea may be based on
leap in wireless technology, with exponentially
which was actually filmed in Hong Kong, was a research paper from 2011 that looks at how
faster speeds and greater coverage. In Canada,
of anti-surveillance protestors tearing down a bacteria might theoretically transmit radio
every major carrier currently uses 4G LTE, or
“smart” lamp post. waves, which is already a controversial area of
fourth generation Long Term Evolution,
research not accepted by most mainstream
networks. Globally, 5G has yet to be deployed
WHY THESE CLAIMS ARE FALSE scientists, but SARS-CoV-2, which causes
widely.
COVID-19, is also a virus, and not bacteria.
The rumours around 5G and COVID-19 have
THE CONSPIRACY THEORIES
prompted government authorities including the Meanwhile, Bloomberg reported that some
U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency researchers have also found evidence that the
Concerns, speculation and conspiracy theories (FEMA) and the Federal Communications theory was being bolstered by a co-ordinated
around 5G, especially its possible adverse Commission (FCC) to refute the charges. and organized “disinformation campaign.”
effects on health, have been around long before
the pandemic. The pandemic has fuelled some of The World Health Organization said in February While conspiracy theorists call the timing of the
these claims, however, bringing more that “currently, exposure from 5G 5G rollout suspect, a number of countries
widespread attention to fringe theories, with infrastructures at around 3.5 GHz is similar to actually launched commercial 5G service
high-profile celebrities amplifying false that from existing mobile phone base stations.” months before China. South Korea was
assertions and factually incorrect information on It also said that so far, extensive research has officially the first country to offer the service in
social media. shown that “no adverse health effects have been April, 2019, while Australia began deploying
causally linked with exposure to wireless the service in parts of Sydney and Melbourne in
One version of the 5G/COVID-19 theory claims technology.” But it did add that because the May last year. In the United States, service
that the virus somehow “communicates” technology is still new, “the extent of any providers began offering 5G in a number of
through 5G radio waves and can target victims. change in exposure to radiofrequency fields is cities by mid-summer of 2019, with Atlanta
Another claims more generally that the still under investigation.” being the first city to have 5G service from the
technology somehow compromises or country’s four biggest carriers.
suppresses the immune system, or that it is the For those skeptical of statements issued by
source of COVID-19 symptoms. Some claim government bodies, the science and technology While it is true that some of the countries
that 5G’s link to the virus is supported by the behind 5G also do not support these claims. hardest-hit by COVID-19 are also among the
fact that there are so few cases of COVID-19 in ones with the widest, though still limited, 5G
Africa because of the lack of 5G service on the Like previous generations of wireless deployment, the virus also hit a number of other
continent. Others go as far as postulating that it technology, along with numerous other things countries where 5G is not yet available. Those
is part of a global conspiracy for population used in daily life, 5G uses radio waves to send countries include Iran, which has more than
control and a “new world order”. One extension and receive information. 73,300 cases and more than 4,500 deaths, and
of the 5G/COVID-19 theory is that Turkey, which has more than 61,000 cases and
nanotechnology microchips will be incorporated Fullfact.org, a U.K.-based independent fact- some 1,300 deaths.
into the vaccine development to somehow checking charity, explains that radio waves “are
“control” people. a small part of a wider electromagnetic spectrum As with many conspiracy theories, correlation

of waves, which all emit energy called does not imply causation. While there is still a
Believers of these conspiracy theories have gone electromagnetic radiation.” Like visible light great deal that is unknown about SARS-CoV-2,
as far as vandalizing a number of 5G network and heat, radio waves fall at the low-frequency researchers believe it is primarily spread through
towers in the U.K., with videos of burning end of the spectrum and only produce non- droplets such as someone coughing or even just
towers circulating on social media. Several U.K. ionising radiation, it says, meaning the waves exhaling, and has nothing to do with 5G. []
mobile service providers confirmed the damage can not damage DNA inside cells, unlike cancer-
to multiple media outlets and later issued a joint causing X-rays and ultraviolet light. 5G uses a
plea to stop. A number of the damaged phone higher frequency than earlier generations of THANK YOU
masts are also actually just 4G and 3G wireless technology, but remains very low. U.K. TO ALL
technology, which have been around for one and regulator Ofcom found that the maximum levels
two decades, respectively. of electromagnetic radiation measured were 66 FIRST RESPONDERS

times smaller than the threshold set by AND
Some of the conspiracy theories point to the international guidelines. ESSENTIAL WORKERS
timing of China’s roll-out of its 5G service at the
start of November, just before the virus was Scientists around the world who specialize in FOR ALL YOU DO
discovered, while a video circulating last month electromagnetic exposure, wireless technology, DURING THE
claimed it showed people bringing down a 5G physics, and other related fields, along with COVID-19 PANDEMIC
tower in China due to fears it was causing international regulatory bodies, have addressed
COVID-19. Fact-checking website Snopes.com many of the health concerns around 5G. The OF 2020