5G Networks & Coronavirus: Debunking the Unfounded Conspiracy Theories - Essay Sample

Introduction

Currently, conspiracy theories are claiming that 5G networks or the fifth generation of wireless technology are fuelling the global coronavirus pandemic. Unfounded or baseless claims surrounding a support link between 5G networks and Covid-19 started circulating fringes of the internet, with Qanon New Agers followers perpetuating the hoax that global elites were using 5G to spread the coronavirus (Ahmed, 2020). The United Kingdom officials have expressed concern that the recent attacks on the cell phone towers were due to the false conspiracy theories. Covid-19 or coronavirus is an infectious disease said to cause a cluster of pneumonia; the first cases of this disease were discovered in Wuhan, China (Ahmed, 2020). This virus is caused by the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV); it was officially named COVID-19, by the World Health Organization (WHO) on 11, Feb. 2020. The WHO noted the new disease to cause mild upper respiratory tract illnesses in humans; WHO then declared Covid-19 a pandemic on 11 March 2020 (Ahmed, 2020). On the other hand, the 5G network is a wireless mobile network recently deployed in 2019 to help improve mobile connectivity and telecommunications. 5G network works at a higher wave frequency than the 3G and 4G networks in order to allow for this upgrade in usage (Ahmed, 2020). This paper critically analyses the claim the Covid-19 is associated with the recent technology of 5G networks.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Save 25%

There is a claim that the recent technology of 5G network causes or encourages the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic. Video and posts showing mobile phone masts on fire in Merseyside and Birmingham have been shared on social media along with the claims (Harmeet, 2020). The United Kingdom mobile networks have reported nearly 20 cases of masts being targeted in suspected arson attacks over the Easter weekend; this also includes the damage to a mast providing mobile connectivity to Birmingham's Nightingale Hospital (Ryan, 2020).

The posts were shared on YouTube, Instagram, and Facebook; verified accounts also shared these claims with thousands of followers. Ofcom, the United Kingdom communication regulator, is currently assessing the comments made by presenter Eamonn Holmes in which he cast doubts on media outlets for the attempts to debunk the claims (Harmeet, 2020). However, no evidence supports the theory that 5G networks cause Covid-19 or contribute to its spread. Scientists have said there is no connection between Covid-19 and 5G and that it is biologically impossible, with NHS England Medical Director Stephen Powis saying the conspiracy theories are the worst kind of fake news (Ryan, 2020).

Conspiracy Theories

Many of the individuals sharing the videos and posts are pushing for the unfounded claim that 5G technology that relies on signals carried by radio waves somehow is the cause or responsibility for the Covid-19 pandemic (Harmeet, 2020). These conspiracy theories tend to have emerged via Facebook posts in late January; nearly the same time, the first cases of coronavirus were recorded in the United States. The arguments tend to fall broadly in two proposals:

• One of the claims is that 5G technology can suppress the immune system, therefore, making individuals more susceptible to get the virus.
• The other theory suggests that the virus can somehow be transmitted or spread through the use of 5G technology.

The conspiracy theories also gained momentum with the backing of some high profile personalities. Singer Keri Hilson and Actor woody Harrelson have both shared content with their online fans, suggesting a link between Covid-19 and 5G (Ryan, 2020).

Australian members in a petition called on the Australian government to stop the rollout of 5G technology; they claimed that 5G could negatively affect an individual immune system; the petition has received nearly 27000 signatures (Stanley, 2020).

How 5G Technology Works

The main theories linking 5G network and Covid-19 suggests that 5G networks cause coronavirus or symptoms of infection with the other more insidious one suggesting that those 5G networks emit radiation that weakens the immune system, it claims that for this reason, 5G networks make people more susceptible to infection. These claims help understand what exactly is 5G technology (Ryan, 2020).

5G is a fifth-generation wireless network expected to enable a wave of technologies to help improve how people live and work. The potential applications include remote surgeries, automated factories, and self-driven cars (Ryan, 2020). 5G is different from 4G in that they are faster speed, higher bandwidth, and lower lag time in communications between devices and servers. 5G signals run over a new radio wave, which requires updating radios and other equipment on cell towers; it is due to the radio wave that the claim is based. Carriers building superfast 5G networks have to install tons of small cell sites to walls or towers, light poles, and often close to each other (Ryan, 2020).

Why People Are Linking 5G and COVID-19

Various cities began using 5G networks in 2018; however, it was widely adopted in 2019 the same year that coronavirus was discovered in Wuhan, China. Conspiracy theorists were then quick to link the two ignoring the ever-relevant adage. Individuals on the internet shared two maps of the United States claiming that the areas that had more cases of Covid-19 were the places where 5G networks had been installed. Again, they suggested that those areas are metropolitan areas and are likely to adopt 5G technology earlier; thus, the large population that used 5G is more vulnerable to the spread of the coronavirus (Ryan, 2020). However, there are limitations to these claims; Iran is one of the countries that have been adversely affected by the pandemic, although it has not rolled out 5G technology (Ryan, 2020).

The upgrades to wireless infrastructure have also been falsely linked to some diseases before. Therefore, various 5G and Covid-19 conspiracy theories are linked to groups that had previously claimed that wireless airwaves cause cancer, though there is no credible evidence to support the claim (Ryan, 2020). Researchers have shown that radio-frequency (RF) waves given off by the mobile phone do not have enough energy to heat the body tissues, alter or damage DNA directly. These energy levels are usually lower than even technologies such as television and microwave ovens (Ryan, 2020). However, 5G signals are generally worse at penetrating objects that 4G signals; this is the reason why 5G networks require many smaller cell sites built close together.

The Spread of COVID-19 Is Not Associated With the Installation of a 5G Network in the Affected Area

The theory that links 5G to Covid-19 spread is vague since the 5G network does not affect the immune system of individuals; that is, according to ICNIRP chairman in his email, he wrote to CNN. Scientists' studies have shown that there is no indication that 5G (or any other G) affects the immune system (Ryan, 2020). Van Rongen wrote that INCIRP has recently looked at all the possible adverse health effects that could occur from exposure to RF electromagnetic fields. The only proven effect is the heating of parts of the body and that the exposure from the mobile devices is very low and cannot happen through cell phone use (Ryan, 2020).

According to scientists, although very strong radio waves may cause heating, 5G is not strong enough to heat people. Radio waves can disrupt an individual's physiology as they heat one, making the immune system not to function, however, 5G radio waves (the energy level from 5G) are tiny and not strong enough to affect the immune system of an individual (Ryan, 2020). The radio waves involved in mobile phone and 5G technology is at the low frequency end of the electromagnetic spectrum; this is less powerful than visible lights which do not also cause damage to the cells. For instance, radiation at the higher frequency end of the spectrum, such as medical x-rays and sun's rays, does not damage the body cells (Ryan, 2020).

According to Adam Finn, professor of paediatrics at the University of Bristol, 5G can't transmit coronavirus (Ryan, 2020). Covid-19 is caused by a virus that is passed from one infected person to another; therefore, viruses and electromagnetic waves that make mobile phones and internet connection work are two different things, Professor Finn added (Ryan, 2020).

It is also important to note that significant flaw with the unfounded conspiracy theories surrounding Covid-19 and 5G is spreading in the United Kingdom where 5G technology has yet to be deployed, again countries like Iran have been affected and yet they have yet to roll out the 5G technology (Ryan, 2020).

The scare stories associating 5G with the spread of Covid-19 were circulating before even the outbreak and which the reality has already been looked into (Ryan, 2020). Stories were associating with this technology with health hazards even before the outbreak.

The International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP), which is concerned with how exposure to electromagnetic fields used by mobile phones and other devices affects people's health has also maintained that there, is no link between 5G and Covid-19. The organization also rebutted the claims associating with 5G with cancer; the organization said there was no evidence that mobile networks cause cancer or any other illness (Ryan, 2020). However, the misinformation connecting 5G technology to health hazards seems to have escalated.

The trade body mobile the United Kingdom has said the theories and false rumours linking 5G technology and Covid-19 spread were concerning (Ryan, 2020). On the other hand, the Department for Digital, Culture, Media, and Sport have reiterated there is absolutely no credible evidence for the link.

Covid-19 viruses invade human and animal cells and use the cells to reproduce; hence that is what causes infection. Viruses cannot survive very long outside a living thing, and thus they have to find an in, they usually spread via droplets of liquid from sneezes or coughs from an infected person (Ryan, 2020).

Genome sequencing of this coronavirus suggests that previously comes from animals to humans and then began to spread from human to another (Ryan, 2020).

Countries Continue Adapting 5G Despite Covid-19 Spread

Before the outbreak of coronavirus, there was controversial news concerning the rollout of the 5G network. There was a ban that prohibited Chinese companies from involving 5G infrastructures in Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States (Stanley, 2020). The outbreak of this pandemic has forced some analysts to reassess the value of 5G. China has been pressing ahead with its implementation of the technology despite the pandemic outbreak. In early March, China announced that telecom carriers would be pushing on with plans to build at least 500,000 5G base stations in 2020 (Stanley, 2020). White House also issued a national strategy to confront the security challenges that 5G may represent, the United States also called for international cooperation in the global development and deployment of 5G infrastructures (Brandi, 2020). Therefore it is evident that the 5G technology is not associated with the spread of this pandemic; however, no country would have pushed for the deployment of the 5G infrastructures (Stanley, 2020).

Conclusion

Covid-19 spreads via small droplets released or exhaled from the mouth or nose of an infected person, the transmission of that virus occurs when the droplets come into contact with the nose, eyes or mouth of a healthy individual. It has thus been proven...