5G coronavirus conspiracy theory is dangerous fake nonsense, UK says

[turbinetree]

Source: Reuters

Guy Faulconbridge, Kate Holton
3 MIN READ

LONDON (Reuters) - A conspiracy theory that links 5G mobile telecommunications masts to the spread of the novel coronavirus is dangerous fake news and completely false, Britain said on Saturday after masts in several parts of the country were torched.

When asked by a reporter about the so called “theory” that 5G telecommunications masts could play a role in the spread of the disease, British Cabinet Officer Minister Michael Gove said: “That is just nonsense, dangerous nonsense as well.”

Mobile phone masts have in recent days been vandalised and telecoms staff abused in Birmingham in central England and Merseyside in northern England, damaging connectivity at a time when people are relying on it more than ever.

An arson attack at a tower in Birmingham owned by BT (BT.L), Britain’s biggest telecoms company, caused significant damage. It provided 2G, 3G and 4G services to thousands of people, but did not have 5G capability, the company said.

Reporting by Guy Faulconbridge and Kate Holton, Editing by Christina Fincher

Read more: https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-britain-5g/5g-coronavirus-conspiracy-theory-is-dangerous-fake-nonsense-uk-says-idUSKBN21M0MS?il=0

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Now, whom could have started this rumor ...........................lets see, he's short, has balding hair line, likes to ride a horse without a shirt, has attempted and also succeeded in killing people......................

[SWBTATTReg]

1. If the idiots believe this, then they all should be fired from their IT jobs, and other such jobs...

that require an IT background. All these idiots are doing, is damaging infrastructure at a critical time and thus, they all should be caught and tried for crimes for damaging infrastructure during perilous times, and possibly endangering the welfare of others (such as interfering w/ telemedicine, critical online communications, etc.).

This is not a funny matter. Lives could be put in harm's way. Or better yet, if the abuse of the company's infrastructure continues, simply out and not serve the area. We'll see how the locals like this action. I suspect that they won't like it, and perhaps might on their own, go aggressively after these 5G idiots.

[ancianita]

2. Even if the arson reason is silly, techies do know that 5G allows easier global surveillance.

Who knows, maybe this is about covering one's tracks. Opportunistic tactics can work both ways.

[oldsoftie]

3. Covid19 aside, 5G has been given way too much permission with way too little oversight

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/we-have-no-reason-to-believe-5g-is-safe/

I dont like the headlong rush to get to the next level.

[Sapient Donkey]

8. A counter to that article on the same website.

https://blogs.scientificamerican.com/observations/dont-fall-prey-to-scaremongering-about-5g/

[mwooldri]

14. "5G" is simply a way to use radio waves.

T-Mobile is using it right now. Instead of giant TV masts blasting out television pictures using megawatt transmitters, the same spectrum is being used to bring mobile communication services to the country at much much lower power.

"5G" is to "4G" or "3G" as FM is to AM.

The danger with radio waves is field strength and power. Your WiFi router and your microwave use about the same frequencies in the radiomagnetic spectrum. One cooks your food, other doesn't.

What some people worry about is the fact that 5G will be deployed in parts of the radiomagnetic spectrum that hasn't been used for mobile communication services. Very high frequency and short wavelength - millimetre wave spectrum. It's the part of the radiomagnetic spectrum that has room for huge amounts of bandwidth. But again basic radio principles should apply and if power and field strength are in line with that for present devices I see zero problem.

One thing I like about 5G is the use of multiple antennas to "beam" the signal in the direction of the mobile device. Not so much power needs to be used as the radio field is aimed at the device. Mobile phone network operators are going to like the power savings - thus less cost to run a base station. However my jury is still out on 5G being "green" because mobile phones will have to consume more juice in processing the 5G signal - requiring bigger batteries in the phone. As technology progresses I presume this will be overcome.

[cayugafalls]

4. The Russians have figured out a way to get domestic terrorists to do their dirty work

I see these trolls all over Youtube on mask making videos and news reports.

Putin must be laughing at our gullible populace.

[Mike Niendorff]

15. Seriously.

"Don't get your kids vaccinated."
"Vandalize your local communication infrastructure."

It doesn't take a genius to see how this game is being played.


MDN

[Igel]

5. Fear and distrust.

Need to think that you're in control. And since you distrust media and government, that leaves word of mouth and "trusted sources" that know crap. Like cousins and friends and complete strangers on Twitter.

[customerserviceguy]

6. Every new technology

attracts this sort of Luddite. I remember in the late 1970's, an acquaintance of mine (actually my ex's) had his parents come to Seattle to meet with all of us, and they were bible thumpers who handed out tracts that said that UPC codes were the mark of the beast from Revelations.

[Sapient Donkey]

7. I was engaging with someone who was spewing this nonsense

My goal was to probe them to get them to explain what 5G is an how it works in general, what equipment it uses, and how it causes harm the way they claim. I noticed that even when it's made very clear to themselves that they have zero idea what they are talking about, that doesn't affect their beliefs in the least bit.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

9. That people fall for shit like that is a crisis in itself. It must be addressed in the medium run or

... or there is no long run.

[Initech]

10. Does the UK have their own equivalent of Alex Jones?

[muriel_volestrangler]

12. Amanda Holden, Britain's Got Talent judge, is aiming for the Jenny McCarthy position

Amanda Holden has been slammed for sharing a petition to stop the introduction of 5G in the UK.

The Britain's Got Talent host's name trended on Twitter on Friday evening as people accused her of 'scaremongering' and being 'disrespectful'.
...
Amanda, 49, tweeted and swiftly deleted a link to a Change.Org petition calling for it to stay out of the UK.

The petition claimed that 5G will take all the oxygen out of the air and alters DNA, as well as causing Covid-19.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/amanda-holden-slammed-scaremongering-shares-21810620

[TomVilmer]

11. Scaaaary stuff...

People do not need help to make this 5G scare porn, it comes naturally - facts are barely a distraction . BUT remember that most are spreading this BS with love to help humankind, though the result is the very opposite.

[Hortensis]

16. Judges should require these people to forfeit their status as

graduates of whatever schooling they had.

With a path back for those who can provide proof of remediation, such as counseling or successful completion of classes in rational thinking.

[HAB911]

17. Priceless Telephone Porn!

I love it