Councillor hits out as telecoms workers abused over 5G conspiracy theory
A City of Wolverhampton councillor has hit out at “baseless myths” around a link between 5G mobile technology and coronavirus after 5G workers in the city were subjected to verbal abuse and threatening behaviour.
Councillor Beverley Momenebadi, City of Wolverhampton Council’s councillor champion for digital innovation, says respected scientists at the World Health Organisation and NHS leaders have widely debunked and discredited bogus and unevidenced claims suggesting links between 5G mobile technology and coronavirus.
Cllr Momenebadi spoke out after it emerged that workers in the city installing 5G infrastructure were subjected to verbal abuse.
She said: “This is happening because of baseless conspiracy theories which have linked 5G to Covid-19. These are baseless myths which have been debunked by scientists, by NHS England and by the World Health Organisation.
“To be clear, there is absolutely no link between 5G and Covid-19. This disease can be transmitted through respiratory droplets and contaminated surfaces, it cannot be transmitted through radio waves or through mobile phone networks.
“We will not tolerate abuse to any of our frontline workers who put themselves at risk each day to work on our networks to make sure the city can stay connected. We all have a role to play in keeping the city safe and connected.
“The conspiracy theories are putting lives at risk. Our emergency services rely on our mobile networks for communication and to respond to calls for help.
“If you hear of abuse to telecommunications workers or vandalism, we encourage you to report this to the police. If you come across conspiracy theories or myths, we encourage you to challenge these. Be part of the solution, not the problem.”
