Federal Council urged to think health with 5G
Technology: How much radiation are we exposed to? Who do I contact if I have a problem? A National commission wants the government to respond more quickly.
by Lise Bailat, Tribune de Genève, 20 May 2020 - translation
After the popular backlash, the political backlash. The Health Commission of the National Council points the finger at the federal government's management of 5G deployment. It has just narrowly approved (11 votes against 10 and 3 abstentions) a motion proposed by Benjamin Roduit (PDC/VS) that puts pressure on the government. "It is clear that accompanying measures for 5G are planned by the Federal Council. But the three measures that are relevant to health, in my view the most important, are buried in the package, while those that benefit the deployment of this technology - such as the simplification of authorization procedures - will be implemented more quickly," says the Valaisan.
The committee hopes that at least two of the health measures will be implemented by the end of the year: monitoring of radiation exposure and the creation of an environmental medicine consultation service.
According to the timetable presented by the Federal Administration, these developments were not expected before 2021-2022. Too late, according to elected officials. "I believe that 5G is indispensable. But there is no question of turning a blind eye to health either," emphasizes Benjamin Roduit. We must take appropriate measures, not to stop 5G, but to protect the population, especially hypersensitive people."