An online rumour has been making the rounds connecting the COVID-19 outbreak with 5G networks. The rumour has gained enough traction that it has become important to take the time to point out that 5G networks have nothing to do with the coronavirus, and there’s plenty of science and data to back that up.
Let’s start with the claim that Wuhan, China was the first city to receive 5G coverage. Not only is that claim logically unsound, but it’s factually inaccurate. There have been 5G networks set up in various U.S. cities long before Wuhan was connected to a 5G signal.
The type of 5G that is most prevalent around the world relies on sub-6 airwaves. Those airwaves are heavily utilized in 4G/LTE networks as well, which means people have already been exposed to those airwaves long before the COVID-19 breakout.
The coronavirus is running rampant across the globe. Areas like Japan and Iran have become outbreak hotspots. That’s significant because Japan and Iran are two countries that have yet to have a widespread rollout of 5G networks. Despite the lack of 5G, COVID-19 is still running wild. Clearly the two are not related.
Dr. Jonathan M. Samet, a professor at the Colorado School of Public Health spoke with CNET about these unfounded claims connecting COVID-19 with 5G networks. “This story about 5G has no credence scientifically and is certainly a potential distraction, as is other such misinformation, from controlling the COVID-19 epidemic,” said Samet.
All of this isn’t to say that 5G signals are perfect. While the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Food and Drug Administration (FDA) have both said that there is no known harm from 5G signals, the reality is the long-term effects are still unknown. What is known is that 5G has no connections to any sort of virus, COVID-19 or otherwise.
CTIA, the wireless industry trade association released a statement attempting to put these rumours to rest. “There appears to be no dispute that animals are the source of the coronavirus, according to experts like the World Health Organization and the Centers for Disease Control,” reads the statement.
Sources: