John Cusack Joins Other Celebs In Pushing This Bold Conspiracy Theory

It was only a matter of time before conspiracy theories surrounding the novel coronavirus started popping up. On the one hand, it makes sense that people are trying to find answers during these uncertain times, especially since world leaders can't offer any clear direction as to when things like self-quarantining will end. Even Dr. Anthony Fauci, the head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Fox News that the world may never get back to the "normal" we knew before the coronavirus broke out.

While some people are trying to make sense of the situation by looking for answers, others, including celebrities, are pushing coronavirus conspiracy theories. Case in point? In April 2020, John Cusack took to Twitter to share his theory about the "alleged dangers of powerful new 5G networks, which some claim weaken human immunity, making people more susceptible to COVID-19," according to the New York Post. 

In a since-deleted tweet, Cusack said (via the New York Post): "5 –G wil [sic] be proven to be very very bad for people's health." Woody Harrelson and singer M.I.A. have also pushed a similar theory, per the Post.

Other tweets by Cusack followed, including one where he, wrote (via the U.K.'s Metro), "Twittaverse many of you are thoughtful decent humans. Beyond the bots and trolls — many of you are just DUMB — just consumerist ignorant trash."

And that wasn't the end of Cusack's online rant.

After followers criticized John Cusack for his unsubstantiated claims, he responded with another since-deleted tweet (via the U.K.'s Metro), writing, "Very instructive. Suggest a new broadly used tech — may be harmful — hysteria ! Um asbestos ? Anyone — nuclear power — Fracking ? Your (sic) acting like f***ing Sheep — It's basic — not conspiracy."

Metro notes that the coronavirus is spreading in areas that don't have 5G networks, like Iran, adding that claims like Cusack's have been dismissed as "dangerous nonsense" by Cabinet Secretary Michael Gove.

Over the past few weeks, other celebrities have also been criticized for their inappropriate responses to the coronavirus. On an episode of Norm Macdonald's YouTube talk show, Quarantined with Norm Macdonald, in April 2020, Roseanne Barr said, "I think they're just trying to get rid of all my generation. The boomer ladies that, you know, that inherited their, you know, are widows. They inherited the money, so they got to go wherever the money is and figure out a way to get it from people."

Meanwhile, Vanessa Hudgens got in trouble for an Instagram Live where a fan noted that the quarantine period could last until the summer and Hudgens responded (via E! News): "...'Till July sounds like a bunch of bulls**t. I'm sorry, but like it's a virus. I get it. I respect it. But at the same time, even if everybody gets it, like, yeah, people are gonna die, which is terrible but inevitable." 

The conspiracy theories around 5G towers push one of two different ideas. The first is that 5G suppresses the immune system and makes people more susceptible to the coronavirus, while the second theory is that 5G technology can actually transmit the coronavirus, according to BBC News.

Adam Finn, professor of pediatrics at the University of Bristol, told BBC News how unfounded these claims are, stating, "The present epidemic is caused by a virus that is passed from one infected person to another. We know this is true. We even have the virus growing in our lab, obtained from a person with the illness." He added, "Viruses and electromagnetic waves that make mobile phones and internet connections work are different things. As different as chalk and cheese."

Unfortunately, this hasn't stopped other celebrities from perpetuating falsehoods about the connection between 5G technology and the coronavirus, despite the danger of spreading misinformation. Dr. Michael Head of the University of Southampton issued a warning about this trend, telling the Evening Standard, "Conspiracy theorists are a public health danger who once read a Facebook page." He continued, "The celebrities fanning the flames of these conspiracy theorists should be ashamed."

It's not just John Cusack who's spreading claims about the coronavirus and 5G technology. Actor Woody Harrelson took to Instagram on April 5, 2020, and said in a since-deleted post promoting a conspiracist article (via the New York Post), "I haven't fully vetted it I find it very interesting." The report Harrelson shared alleged that 5G radiation is "exacerbating" the virus' spread and making it more deadly.

British rapper Maya "M.I.A." Arulpragasam shared a similar sentiment on Twitter, speaking about her belief that 5G towers can "confuse" the body. "I don't think 5G gives you COVID19," she said on March 24, 2020. "I think it can confuse or slow the body down in healing process as body is learning to cope with new signals [wavelengths] frequency etc @ same time as Cov."

On April 3, 2020, M.I.A. shared a picture of a 5G tower on fire and said, "People in England are setting fire to it. They should just turn it off till after the pandemic!" A fan called her out on perpetuating the rumor, saying, "[Y]ou're a legend but there's a difference between being woke and being an 8chan conspiracy looney – please don't cross the line."

Unfortunately, these aforementioned celebs aren't the only ones who haven't taken the virus seriously.