| Record | OBS-0587 |
|---|---|
| Category | Health/Pandemics |
| Status | DEBUNKED |
| Summary | The documentary 'The New Normal' suggests that lockdowns may have been imposed to ensure the smooth rollout of 5G networks. This claim is false; COVID-19 and 5G are not related. The first known outbreak of COVID-19 was traced to Wuhan, China, and the virus spreads person-to-person through respiratory droplets. 5G uses radio waves, the lowest-energy form of radiation, and the WHO says no research has linked exposure to wireless technology with negative health effects. |
| Origin | The claim was part of the documentary 'The New Normal' and has been fact-checked by Reuters multiple times, including in 2020 and 2021. |
| Claimed |
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| Evidence / consensus | COVID-19 is caused by SARS-CoV-2, a virus that spreads through respiratory droplets. 5G is a mobile phone technology using radio waves, and there is no evidence linking it to COVID-19 or negative health effects. |
Sources are external and provided for verification. Listing does not imply the Observer endorses their claims.