| Record | OBS-0128 |
|---|---|
| Category | Health/Pandemics |
| Status | DEBUNKED |
| Summary | A conspiracy theory claims that 5G wireless technology either transmits the coronavirus or weakens the immune system, making people more susceptible. Proponents have pointed to the geographic overlap of 5G deployment and COVID-19 outbreaks as evidence. This theory has led to arson and vandalism of cell towers in several countries. |
| Origin | The theory gained traction in early 2020, around the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, with early social media posts in January 2020 linking 5G to the virus. It spread globally through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and WhatsApp. |
| Claimed |
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| Evidence / consensus | Scientists and health experts state that 5G does not transmit the virus and that the claims are biologically impossible. The virus spreads through respiratory droplets, not radio waves. There is no scientific evidence linking 5G to COVID-19. |
Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.