Fake news and other conspiracy theories sometimes give rise to quite implausible events. A theory claiming that 5G is the cause of Covid-19 has prompted activists to attack equipment and threaten workers.
As the UK sinks into fear with an increasingly alarming toll, a story has made headlines across the Channel. According to an article published by The Guardian on April 5, 2020, activists damaged 5G equipment in cities such as Liverpool, Birmingham and Belfast. The culprits burned electricity pylons and threatened staff working for operators.
However, this event is undeniably linked to the Covid-19 pandemic. Indeed, a theory has been circulating for several weeks on the networks. It's about the 5G deployment in Wuhan , having caused the appearance of the coronavirus which, as everyone knows, has spread to all of China and the rest of the world. The main argument is as follows:5G generates new electromagnetic fields impacting humans.
It is however true that 5G was mobilized in China at the end of January 2020. However, this happened in the context of the fight against Covid-19. Indeed, the objective was to increase the communication power of Chinese hospitals.
The UK government plans to talk with the leaders of several platforms. These include Twitter, Facebook, YouTube and WhatsApp. It is true that these platforms constitute an ideal medium for the dissemination of theories of all kinds. Moreover, this is not new, as evidenced by the important exposition of theories such as that of the flat Earth.
Stephen Powis, director of the National Health Service, spoke about this story. According to him, this is nonsense, especially in times of confinement. Indeed, networks are very important as citizens are asked to stay at home and limit their physical contact. In addition, networks are essential for emergency services , whether it is the SAMU, the fire brigade or the police.
Since the start of the epidemic, fake news and theories on Covid-19 have multiplied. At the end of March, 300 people died in Iran after taking fake news on social media seriously. Victims thought they could kill the coronavirus in their bodies by drinking high-strength methanol-type alcohol.
