Fact Check: Does 5G network cause coronavirus?
Recently, the internet has been awash with claims across the world that the Fifth Generation Network (5G) is the cause of the global coronavirus pandemic.
The claim gained grounds in Nigeria following some viral allegations made by two popular figures in the country; Pastor Chris Oyakhilome and former Kogi lawmaker, Senator Dino Melaye.
Pastor Oyakilome who is the founder of Believers Love World a.k.a Christ Embassy claimed the COVID-19 pandemic was created in order to popularise the 5G network across the world.
He further claimed that the 5G network and the pandemic are parts of the Antichrist's plan for new world order.
Also, Senator Melaye claimed, "5G is evil" and is "a danger to the world".
Melaye in a video that is trending on social media claims the 5G technology is responsible for deaths associated with coronavirus.
According to him, it is the reaction from this 5G that has some biological interactions with our cells.
Source: UGC
There are also claims that 5G can suppress the immune system, thus making people more susceptible to catching the virus.
Others also claimed that COVID-19 can be transmitted through the use of 5G technology.
The Fact
There is no evidence to support the claim that 5G is the cause of coronavirus.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), “a large number of studies have been performed over the last two decades to assess whether mobile phones pose a potential health risk (and) to date, no adverse health effects have been established as being caused by mobile phone use.”
Speaking specifically on the 5G technology, the world's health body said: “Till date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies. Health-related conclusions are drawn from studies performed across the entire radio spectrum but, so far, only a few studies have been carried out at the frequencies to be used by 5G.”
Explaining further, WHO said the main mechanism of interaction between radiofrequency fields and the human body is tissue heating, and that “radiofrequency exposure levels from current technologies result in negligible temperature rise in the human body.”
“As the frequency increases, there is less penetration into the body tissues and absorption of the energy becomes more confined to the surface of the body (skin and eye). Provided that the overall exposure remains below international guidelines, no consequences for public health are anticipated,” it adds.
Also, the claims have been described as "complete rubbish" by Dr Simon Clarke, associate professor in cellular microbiology at the University of Reading, BBC reports.
"The idea that 5G lowers your immune system doesn't stand up to scrutiny," Dr Clarke said.
"Your immune system can be dipped by all sorts of thing - by being tired one day, or not having a good diet. Those fluctuations aren't huge but can make you more susceptible to catching viruses."
While very strong radio waves can cause heating, 5G is nowhere near strong enough to heat people up enough to have any meaningful effect, the professor explained.
"Radio waves can disrupt your physiology as they heat you up, meaning your immune system can't function. But [the energy levels from] 5G radio waves are tiny and they are nowhere near strong enough to affect the immune system. There have been lots of studies on this," he explained.
In addition, Yusuf Sambo, a Nigerian researcher at the University of Glasgow who is testing 5G in Scotland, told AFP 5G does not cause viruses.
While there have been health concerns regarding the use of 5G networks — and mobile networks in general — owing to radiation, this has nothing to do with the outbreak of viruses, AFP said, citing expert sources.
"Yes, there are fears about the health implications of 5G but they have to do with cancer and not viral infections,” Sambo said.
Conclusion
The claims that there is any link between 5G and the COVID-19 pandemic are baseless and FALSE, as has been confirmed by health and technology experts.
The 5G network is not the cause of COVID-19 neither can the virus be transmitted through the use of 5G technology.
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