evidence: Almost all of the conspiracy theory posts linking 5G to coronavirus make use of tired, debunked tropes about non-ionizing radiation, chemtrails and "deep state" plots to use vaccines to control people and remotely shut down their organs. Most of the time, such unsubstantiated and outlandish claims remain more or less hidden inside the communities that believe in them. But with coronavirus as a peg, they were always bound to go viral. "The coronavirus has created the perfect environment for this message to spread," says Josh Smith, senior researcher at Demos, a think tank. "Like many conspiracy theories, the idea that 5G is to blame for the uncertain, frightening situation we find ourselves in is a comfort. It provides an explanation, and a scapegoat, for the suffering caused by this pandemic; as well as—cruelly—suggesting a way we might stop it: take down the masts and the virus will go away." If only it were that simple. And, worryingly, the conspiracy theories themselves aren’t as simple as they first appear.