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5G Conspiracy Theories Quashed As 'Disgusting Fake News' By UK Government

5G Conspiracy Theories Quashed As 'Disgusting Fake News' By UK Government

Conspiracy theories linking the outbreak of coronavirus and the launch of 5G have been branded "dangerous"

Niamh Spence

Niamh Spence

The UK government has quashed conspiracy theories linking 5G and the COVID-19 pandemic as "disgusting fake news" and "completely false".

It comes as rumours circulate the internet with people claiming that 5G is responsible for the global pandemic.

But in today's press briefing, Cabinet Office Minister Michael Gove came out and dismissed them as utter rubbish.

When questioned on the coronavirus theory Mr Gove said: "That is just nonsense, dangerous nonsense as well."

The tough response was echoed by NHS England's national medical director Stephen Powis.

Stephen Powis, NHS England's national medical director, also condemned the rumours.
BBC.

He said: "The 5G story is complete and utter rubbish, it's nonsense, it's the worst kind of fake news. The reality is that the mobile phone networks are absolutely critical to all of us, particularly at a time when we are asking people to stay at home."

Adding: "Those are also the phone networks that are used by our emergency services and our health workers and I'm absolutely outraged, absolutely disgusted that people would be taking action against the very infrastructure that we need to respond to this health emergency.

"It is absolute and utter rubbish and I can't condemn it in stronger terms than that."

The response comes just days after emergency services were called to a fire in Birmingham after a 70ft 5G mast broke into flames. The cause of the fire has not been determined, but is thought to be linked to the backlash against 5G.

In a recent video posted on social media, an unnamed individual accosted two workmen who were installing the new 5G technology in London claiming the new technology is to blame for the global coronavirus pandemic.

The conspiracy theory began when people started claiming that Africa hasn't been as affected by Covid-19 as it is not a 5G region - but the World Health Organisation has since shut this down, stating the continent has several thousand confirmed cases.

The unnamed woman in a recent video condemning engineers laying the 5G cables in London claimed they were going to kill everyone.
Twitter

But despite the UK government having previously said there is 'no evidence to suggest that 5G has anything to do with Covid-19', it hasn't stopped people spreading misinformation online.

Videos reportedly showing new 5G masts on fire were posted on social media after theories about the link between the mobile technology and Covid-19 circulated online, as a backlash against the new technology has began to grow.

Dr Michael Head, senior research fellow in global health at the University of Southampton, commented on the worrying trend: face "Conspiracy theorists are a public health danger who once read a Facebook page.

"Here, we also see similar groups of people keen to show their ignorance on a topic where they have no helpful expertise, nor any inclination to post useful public health messages.

"The celebrities fanning the flames of these conspiracy theorists should be ashamed."

It's okay to not panic. LADbible and UNILAD's aim with our Coronavirus campaign, Cutting Through, is to provide our community with facts and stories from the people who are either qualified to comment or have experienced first-hand the situation we're facing. For more information from the World Health Organisation on Coronavirus, click here.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: UK News, Interesting, Coronavirus, Health