The pandemic of coronavirus has already shaken up the entire world from its core. People are trying hard to keep themselves sane while being at home. But, this quarantine has indeed allowed us to binge-watch every series we were planning to. Netflix and Youtube have truly become our friends in need. But, while people are so much engrossed in these platforms, some of them are spreading terrifying contents. This is a very vulnerable phase for the entire world. And, we expect to spend some quality time in our home doing anything that keeps us calm. We do not want to grow extra terror within us by watching absurd coronavirus conspiracy theories via the 5G network.
Youtube decided to suppress such contents
Youtube declared on 5th April 2020 that it will suppress content that links the conspiracy theories of coronavirus to the 5G network. The company will remove all such contents and they won’t show them in the search result as well. People are already too scared due to this global crisis. So, promoting such fake content will just escalate violence around the globe. The news of false theories having a connection to the coronavirus outbreak has already caused some major destruction.
What has happened due to this disturbing content?
Once this kind of irrational things pops up in our screen, it spreads like wildfire. From Youtube to What Sapp, people start sharing it everywhere thus pulling the trigger. Many people have shared videos of mobile phone masts on fire. This has occurred in Birmingham, Liverpool, and Melling in Merseyside.
The violent act has not been limited to this. In the U.K. people have set at least seven cell phone towers on fire. It is reported that within the last 24 hours, the common people of the U.K has burnt down four towers due to rage, anger, and terror as well. And, when these videos will be shared on social media, citizens of our nations will be traumatized as well. It is also shocking that one of the towers that were burnt down wasn’t even a 5G mast. People targeted two of Vodafone’s masts and two shared masts.
It is unbelievable how one wrong claim or message can take the world to the edge of destruction. In this modern age, we tend to follow and praise our ideals via social platforms. This is another main reason why such disasters increased within 24 hours. When reputed and verified accounts on Instagram share such obscure videos, followers will believe it anyway. And, imagine the degree of destruction when there are millions and thousands of followers for each verified accounts.
What are the scientists saying?
Scientists have responded at the earliest and didn’t take it lightly. There is no sugarcoating to this or subtly calming the audience. The scientists have directly made the statement that the so-called imaginary connection between COVID-19 and 5G network is “rubbish”. There is no such phenomenon in this universe that can prove it otherwise and it is not possible biologically.
Stephen Powis, NHS England Medical Director said that these theories are the worst kind of fake news that can ever exist. Youtube has also declared that any other 5G conspiracy theory will be entertained except for linking it to coronavirus. The platform has also started reducing the amount of “borderline content” that can spread even tiny fake news to the people.
The kind of fake news reaching people
The misleading videos are popping up on the platform of Facebook from late January. When the pandemic initially started spreading in the U.S., people started making up many such theories. A group of people believed that the 5G network can suppress the immune system. Thus, it will make us very vulnerable to catching COVID-19. And, some people tend to believe that the virus will directly transmit in our bodies if we use the 5G network.
One video in the U.K also showed a man saying the healthcare units conducted tests actually to spread coronavirus. And, this pandemic was just a showcase, a distraction made to diverge people from the deaths that occurred due to 5G. These are just a few examples from the lot. The only message scientists want to spread now is we should turn s deaf ear to this fake news. And, burning down masts won’t help the situation. Because they are only providing us emergency phone services in this time of need.
Annasha Dey is an NIT student, who apart from studying engineering is also a content writer. She has a great interest in photography, writing, reading novels, and travelling as well. She is a foodie who loves socializing and hanging out with her friends. She is also a trained Kathak dancer and a big fashion enthusiast. Dey also loves watching TV series, which includes F.R.I.E.N.D.S. and Big Bang Theory. To be a better writer she prefers to read more