Segun Akanni, Toronto, Canada 
Controversies have been generated with the spread of COVID-19 with a good number of conspiracy theories here and there. While some believe Corona Virus was invented by Chinese, some people are of the opinion that it is the handiwork of the US and her allies. In all these theories, no one or group of people have been able to come out clear and provide substantial evidence to support or corroborate their theories. All have been based on fallacies, accusations and superstitions.
There is nothing wrong with people having certain beliefs but it is worrisome if such beliefs don’t correlate with reality. While China is being accused of inventing the virus, they, themselves are doing everything to curb the spread of the virus, hence they are also clamping down on foreigners and travellers in their country at this period. And even the western world that is being accused as well has been hit hard by the virus in terms of casualties and economic downturn. We can talk of negligence, secrecy and unpreparedness on the parts of Nations but not claiming the Virus was invented by any. Corona virus strains have been around, usually affect various animal populations for a long time. This particular strain originated from Wuhan in China and spread quickly between people and this is because of it’s newness- no one on earth has an immunity(scientifically) to Covid-19.
One of the myths spreading likewise in recent days is linking 5G to Coronavirus: stating that 5G is responsible for the widespread of Coronavirus and supporting their argument by calling our attention to the fact that countries with high cases of the virus are countries where 5G facility already in place. It is important we understand what the new Internet of Things (IoT) Technology is all about.
5G networks are the next generation of mobile internet connectivity, offering faster speeds and more reliable connections on smartphones and other devices than ever before. 5G is expected to supercharge the Internet of Things (IoT) Technology and also provide the needed infrastructure to carry huge amounts of data that allows for a smarter and more connected world. It has been established by experts that the difference between previous existing generations of technologies such as 2G, 3G and 4G lies in speed and data capacity. The question we should ask ourselves is if 4G has ever been harmful and injurious to human health.
It saddens one that those who have benefited massively from IoT Technology in the advancement of their businesses and ministries are the ones making propaganda about the 5G causing coronavirus. This clearly shows that no one is above ignorance in what he or she doesn’t know. The World Health Organization has stated emphatically that 5G is not the cause of Coronavirus. This can be buttressed by an official report, from Iran around 1 pm Nigerian time on the 7th of April, 2020, of 2,089 new cases of coronavirus and 133 new deaths and Iran has no 5G facility.
Furthermore, after several types of research have stated that 5G has no adverse health effects on humans, there is need to ask the 5G-Corona Virus propagandists if it were 1G, 2G, 3G or 4G that causes the Flu of 1918 (20-50 million deaths), Asian Flu of 1956-1957(2 million deaths), Hong Kong Flu of 1968 (1 million deaths including 500, 000 residents of Hong Kong).
Africans have to begin to understand how international politics is being played and the role of competitive advantage in the international market and therefore should not fall victims of fear-mongering as well as selfish and ill-meant conspiracy theories. The US., in particular, is not pleased that China beats her to the race for 5G. for this reason Huawei Technologies have suffered tremendous (apologies to President Trump) persecution in the hand of the US government.
Conspiracy theories have held Africa in bondage for so long and we must not allow it to continue anymore. Most Africans believe it takes more than technology to manufacture cars, build bridges over rivers and seas. Some would tell you how the white always lock the cars up somewhere and the next thing is that the cars would then start to function. Maybe Innoson can provide clarity on this clownish claim. Conspiracy theorists also waged war against Fingerprint Technology in Africa, claiming it was a means of the Antichrist identification. Does this mean all of us including all the pastors have gotten the popular “666” mark?
It is imperative I state here that coronavirus is real. We should not let our distrust for the government to make us become nonchalant and not take the necessary precautions as advised by the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control. Wash your hands regularly with alcohol-based sanitizers and maintain social distance.
Oladokun is a Content Creator and Copywriter. Writes from Port Harcourt and can be reached via iamoladokun@gmail.com.
