Yahoo Finance 5G-coronavirus conspiracy theory is 'complete rubbish' say scientists as celebrities spread fear
Scientists have poured scorn on a viral conspiracy theory that suggests there is a link between 5G networks and the Covid-19 outbreak.
In recent days, celebrities and numerous popular posts have suggested the coronavirus outbreak is either being caused or exacerbated by the rollout of 5G.
But scientists have called the conspiracy theory "complete rubbish", indicating that it would be impossible for the masts or the phone network they broadcast to have any interaction with the disease.
"The idea that COVID19 is caused by 5G mobile phone signals is complete rubbish," said Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading. "This is a disease which numerous doctors and scientists around the world have said is caused by a virus, something completely different to a mobile phone signal."
Others said that it is not only the case that there had been no proof of a possible link between the phone network and the coronavirus pandemic – but also that it would be impossible for any such link.
"There is no scientifically credible evidence to link the introduction of 5G masts with the COVID-19 outbreak," said Brendan Wren, professor of microbial pathogenesis at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. "This would be both a physical and biological impossibility.”
Other experts noted that mobile networks are one of the key things that are helping co-ordinate the response to the pandemic – and that the conspiracy theory could actually hurt the fight against the disease.
"The present epidemic is caused by a virus that is passed from one infected person to another. We know this is true," said Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol. "We even have the virus growing in our lab, obtained from a person with the illness.
"Viruses and electromagnetic waves that make mobile phones and internet connections work are different things. As different as chalk and cheese.
"The internet connections these networks give us are one of the most important tools we are using to coordinate our response to the epidemic and efforts to do research to overcome it. Damaging phone masts is like knocking holes in your lifeboats while your ship sinks."
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