Ahead of Wednesday's planned nationwide emergency alert test on cell phones, radios, and TVs, conspiracy theories quickly spread on social media. This national test, scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, aims to ensure the effectiveness of the Emergency Alert System and Wireless Emergency Alerts in warning the public about emergencies, particularly at a national level. However, the announcement from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has led to a wave of misinformation and concerns shared across various platforms.
Many conspiracy theories have emerged on social media, particularly on X (formerly Twitter), falsely claiming that a zombie outbreak will occur due to a mix of vaccines, 5G technology, and a bat-borne disease. Some users are even advising their followers to turn off their cell phones during the test, believing it to be a part of a larger conspiracy to control the population.
Newsweek reached out to FEMA for clarification on these claims. Ben Collins, a senior reporter at NBC News, humorously remarked on the zombie theory, saying, "Can't wait for my smart fridge to zombify me tomorrow." This lighthearted comment reflects the absurdity of some of the posts circulating online regarding the test.
The conspiracy theories suggest that the test will somehow activate the Marburg virus, known for causing hemorrhagic fever, through 5G technology. This virus is linked to prolonged exposure to certain bat colonies and can be transmitted from person to person through direct contact with infected individuals. One user named Gina Shirah went so far as to say, "Turn off your cell phones on October 4th. The EBS is going to 'test' the system using 5G. This will activate the Marburg virus in people who have been vaccinated and sadly turn them into zombies."
It's important to note that "EBS" refers to the Emergency Broadcast System, which has been replaced by the Emergency Alert System. Another user, known as the Globe Destroyer, posted a video expressing concerns about a potential Marburg pandemic, citing the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases testing a vaccine on humans earlier this year.
The upcoming emergency alert test is a routine procedure that FEMA has conducted at least once every three years since 2015, as mandated by federal law to ensure the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System is operational. Despite the wave of misinformation, FEMA has reiterated that the emergency alert will use the same audio tone that has been in place since the 1960s, with no known harmful health effects.
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