One in eight Australians believe 5G is spreading coronavirus, poll shows

New polling shows one in eight Australians buy into conspiracy theories coronavirus is linked to 5G, with nearly half saying the virus is from a Chinese lab.

A general view in Perth CBD, Monday, May 18, 2020.

A general view in Perth CBD, Monday, May 18, 2020. Source: AAP

One in eight Australians believe Microsoft founder Bill Gates is somehow responsible for the coronavirus and the 5G wireless network is to blame for spreading the disease.

The same number of people believe the pandemic is being used to force people into getting vaccinations.

The federal government has been forced to remind people the claims are bogus and tampering with 5G towers is a criminal offence.

"Any suggestions that there is a link between 5G and coronavirus are utterly baseless," Communications Minister Paul Fletcher said on Tuesday.

"There is no evidence that the use of these radio waves in mobile networks is harmful to health or related to the current health pandemic."
A new Essential poll has revealed the proportion of people who believe coronavirus conspiracy theories.

One in five people believe the media and government are exaggerating the death toll to scare the population.

Two in five think the virus was engineered and released from a lab in the Chinese city of Wuhan, which the prime minister has repeatedly said there is no evidence to support.

The same proportion of people rejected the theory, while a quarter are unsure.

An overwhelming majority of respondents (77 per cent) said the outbreak in China was much worse than reported in official statistics from Beijing.

The survey of 1,073 people follows led by 5G-conspiracy theorists and anti-vaxxers.
People in Australia must stay at least 1.5 metres away from others. Check your state’s restrictions on gathering limits.

Testing for coronavirus is now widely available across Australia. If you are experiencing cold or flu symptoms, arrange a test by calling your doctor or contact the Coronavirus Health Information Hotline on 1800 020 080. 

The federal government's coronavirus tracing app COVIDSafe is available for download from your phone's app store.

SBS is committed to informing Australia’s diverse communities about the latest COVID-19 developments. News and information is available in 63 languages at .








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Published 19 May 2020 2:54pm
Updated 19 May 2020 3:02pm



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