The 5G coronavirus conspiracy: these spasms of superstitious terror are as old as time

This is a true story, though much of it is complete fiction. And it starts with a statement of the blindingly obvious.

There is no link between the coronavirus and the 5G network.

Yet the conspiracy theory connecting the disease with the fifth generation of mobile telecommunications infrastructure is continuing to spread. There have been copycat arson attacks on more than 50 mobile phone masts in areas including Birmingham and Liverpool, including one serving a Nightingale hospital. Engineers have received death threats, and 5G cabling has been vandalised in Glasgow, where a 5,000-strong internet group avidly promotes the theory.

Conspiracy theorists have spread fear about radio frequencies

MARTYN WHEATLEY/I-IMAGES

The imagined link between Covid-19 and 5G has been aired by celebrities, and dismissed by the government as “dangerous nonsense”.

Social media platforms have been

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