DISINFO: Coronavirus mutation may be due to 5G networks
DISINFORMATION CASE DETAILS
  • Outlet: cz.sputniknews.com (archived)*
  • Date of publication: March 21, 2020
  • Outlet language(s): Czech
  • Reported in: Issue 191
  • Countries / regions discussed: Czech Republic
Tags:
coronavirus Conspiracy theory

DISINFO: Coronavirus mutation may be due to 5G networks

SUMMARY

Regarding the coronavirus mutation, sources say that the effect of radiation is being intensively investigated and should not be overlooked, just like another phenomenon, which is the effect of 5G networks. There are also studies that talk about the effects of cosmic radiation on mutations in other viruses.

RESPONSE

This is part of the pro-Kremlin disinformation campaign around the coronavirus. There is no scientific evidence about any kind of link between 5G and the coronavirus, The UK government has urged the social media platforms to take more swift action to stem the proliferation of such type of conspiracy theories. Neither is there any scientific evidence of a link between cosmic radiation and the coronavirus. In May 2019, the New York Times reported that the Russian state-funded network RT America was airing unsubstantiated reports linking 5G exposure to brain cancer, infertility and autism. However studies examining a link between cell phone usage and increased cancer risk are inconclusive and full of caveats. COVID-19 comes from a family of viruses originating in animals that includes others such as SARS and MERS. It was first reported in the Chinese city of Wuhan in central China at the end of 2019, and has been rapidly spreading across the world, with cases being reported in over 190 countries, territories and areas. See more examples of pro-Kremlin disinformation about the coronavirus here.

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Disclaimer

Cases in the EUvsDisinfo database focus on messages in the international information space that are identified as providing a partial, distorted, or false depiction of reality and spread key pro-Kremlin messages. This does not necessarily imply, however, that a given outlet is linked to the Kremlin or editorially pro-Kremlin, or that it has intentionally sought to disinform. EUvsDisinfo publications do not represent an official EU position, as the information and opinions expressed are based on media reporting and analysis of the East Stratcom Task Force.

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