View Full Version : The NHS Track and Trace Covid-19 App
I just wondered what others thought about downloading the new app and its repercussions if you are absolutely terrified about contracting Covid..
It doesn't apply to me because I don't have the technology but for my daughter it would be another terror to live with..and she has enough to contend with as it is. Is it irresponsible not to download it but to still carry on going out and taking all the recommended precautions? I know that she wouldn't be able to go out if she downloaded it and for her this would be really detrimental to her already very fragile mental health.
What are you all going to do re the app? Please feel free to speak your mind re my decision to support my daughter on this.
Pamplemousse
25-09-20, 19:40
I just wondered what others thought about downloading the new app and its repercussions if you are absolutely terrified about contracting Covid..
It doesn't apply to me because I don't have the technology but for my daughter it would be another terror to live with..and she has enough to contend with as it is. Is it irresponsible not to download it but to still carry on going out and taking all the recommended precautions? I know that she wouldn't be able to go out if she downloaded it and for her this would be really detrimental to her already very fragile mental health.
What are you all going to do re the app? Please feel free to speak your mind re my decision to support my daughter on this.
Well, I've downloaded it: the main inconvenience is going to be scanning QR codes at building entrances I suspect.
If not downloading it helps your daughter's mental health, I'd go with that. This is just an addition to the real issues of safe procedures anyway - hand washing, masks where needed, maintaining 'social distancing'. I certainly know of plenty of people who won't be downloading it.
Do what's best for you and your daughter, Pulisa.
nomorepanic
25-09-20, 19:58
Hi
This is just a courtesy reply to let you know that your post was moved from its original place to a sub-forum that is more relevant to your issue.
This is nothing personal - it just enables us to keep posts about the same problems in the relevant forums so other members with any experience with the issues can find them more easily.
Please also read this post:
http://www.nomorepanic.co.uk/showthread.php?t=213239
Sorry, Nic..I thought I'd added this thread to the Covid forum but obviously messed up!:)
nomorepanic
25-09-20, 20:42
It's fine pulisa lol
Well, I've downloaded it: the main inconvenience is going to be scanning QR codes at building entrances I suspect.
If not downloading it helps your daughter's mental health, I'd go with that. This is just an addition to the real issues of safe procedures anyway - hand washing, masks where needed, maintaining 'social distancing'. I certainly know of plenty of people who won't be downloading it.
Do what's best for you and your daughter, Pulisa.
I will do, PM and thank you. It will be interesting to see if this app makes a significant difference. It's still all down to trust and individual responsibility to do what is asked.
Thanks for bringing this up Pulisa. I did touch on it fleetingly in the Covid discussion thread. Anyway I did download it yesterday with intent on using it. But my daughter asked me to remove it because it would only play on my anxiety. And in truth it will, probably a lot but that still doesn't stop me from feeling guilty. But then this afternoon on entering Spar where she works, she was wearing a visor but not a mask. I've so far been told to 'lighten up' and stop going on about covid. Somebody in the family has to though.
Is a visor classed as a mask though? Is it down to personal choice and comfort if you have to wear it for hours on end? I'm not sure, Fishman.
I’ve never understood the visors you be honest. You contract Covid-19 by inhaling viral spores, I don’t see what good a visor does without a nose and mouth covering.
I think the visors are designed to stop the virus entering the mucous membranes via the eyes. I might be wrong though ? It seems that it can enter the respiratory tract that way. I think a visor without a mask isn't much good though, as that provides full coverage.
Regarding your query Pulisa - my feelings would be that it is personal choice. I think, to be honest, there are going to be people who don't own mobile phones (the elderly or those who make a lifestyle choice not to use them?), or don't download it....I suspect they can get enough data and enough positive behavioural change that makes a difference to the cases by having a certain percentage download and use it. I don't know what that percentage is however :winks: Mind, that is presuming it works and does its job at all, and that remains to be seen yet.........its a big IF.
Thanks for bringing this up Pulisa. I did touch on it fleetingly in the Covid discussion thread. Anyway I did download it yesterday with intent on using it. But my daughter asked me to remove it because it would only play on my anxiety. And in truth it will, probably a lot but that still doesn't stop me from feeling guilty. But then this afternoon on entering Spar where she works, she was wearing a visor but not a mask. I've so far been told to 'lighten up' and stop going on about covid. Somebody in the family has to though.
With regards your being told to 'lighten up' and to 'stop harping on about Covid', I think it's a very fine line between constant full-on panic about it and being laid back and lax about it.
A kind of 'damned if do, damned if don't' situation.
My parents both had their flu jabs this morning at our local GP surgery. I will be receiving mine in due course over the coming weeks as today's sessions were for over 65s only, which kind of makes sense.
You might find "in due course" drags out a bit, Lencoboy. If I were you I'd get a private one done at a local chemist if you want one before next Summer...I'm paying £13 for mine.
Phoenixess
26-09-20, 14:03
The app is fine been non-triggering for me. i guess ive come to accept if i want to live then i most likely will catch it and i most likely might die from it to but no matter what im not going to let it rule my life. When im in my room painting my art i forget it even exsists. So just try to relax carry on living they have got good drugs to help people recover and it may be a rocky experience but unless you have worse underlying conditions apart from anxiety then you should be fine. I was place in a covid area in a and e with severe anxiety and i didnt catch it and that was a very high risk situation with people metre away from me with it. so the tracker is very good and is beneficial in the sense it is a practical measure of safety
Keep safe stay strong!!!
Pamplemousse
26-09-20, 15:05
You might find "in due course" drags out a bit, Lencoboy. If I were you I'd get a private one done at a local chemist if you want one before next Summer...I'm paying £13 for mine.
Exactly what I did a couple of days ago - no idea when my GP practice was planning to do it so I took matters into my own hands.
In the pharmacy consultation booth there's a plastic shield between you and the pharmacist, except for a slot big enough to lean your shoulder through for the injection to take place.
Pamplemousse
26-09-20, 15:06
.I suspect they can get enough data and enough positive behavioural change that makes a difference to the cases by having a certain percentage download and use it. I don't know what that percentage is however :winks: Mind, that is presuming it works and does its job at all, and that remains to be seen yet.........its a big IF.
Already it seems you can't enter a negative test result under certain conditions.
The app is fine been non-triggering for me. i guess ive come to accept if i want to live then i most likely will catch it and i most likely might die from it to but no matter what im not going to let it rule my life. When im in my room painting my art i forget it even exsists. So just try to relax carry on living they have got good drugs to help people recover and it may be a rocky experience but unless you have worse underlying conditions apart from anxiety then you should be fine. I was place in a covid area in a and e with severe anxiety and i didnt catch it and that was a very high risk situation with people metre away from me with it. so the tracker is very good and is beneficial in the sense it is a practical measure of safety
Keep safe stay strong!!!
I think that's what most of the general public now seem to be thinking and doing (for better or worse), where as IMO, it now seems to be both the authorities and the media doing most of the panicking, whereas earlier in the year it seemed to be more the general public and the media doing most of the panicking whilst the authorities seemed to be dragging their heels over it.
I still believe the first full nationwide lockdown in late March-May was necessary at the time and was imposed a fortnight too late IMO, though I still can't quite decide as to whether a second full-on nationwide lockdown would be a worthwhile endeavour at this moment in time, even though Boris has repeatedly up until now said he really doesn't want one, but might only happen as an absolute last resort, if all existing measures become exhausted.
I also doubt many people would stick to it this time round and I think there would be a fair amount of rebellion against it.
Let's face it, AFAIK, France and Spain (apart from Madrid) so far haven't imposed any second nationwide lockdowns and their daily cases still far exceed ours, though I'm more than happy to be proved wrong.
Getting phone calls from the NHS and text messages asking me to download the app...
I’ve never understood the visors you be honest. You contract Covid-19 by inhaling viral spores, I don’t see what good a visor does without a nose and mouth covering.Exactly Gary, the virus is aerosolised. A visor can protect you from larger droplets coughed or sneezed, but the microscopic will simply float under it. She won't wear a mask because it gives her spots so at least she has a very good reason.
MyNameIsTerry
26-09-20, 23:11
Exactly Gary, the virus is aerosolised. A visor can protect you from larger droplets coughed or sneezed, but the microscopic will simply float under it. She won't wear a mask because it gives her spots so at least she has a very good reason.
It only matters what the definition in law is. It's 'face covering' which a visor fits. The visors were meant for people who couldn't 'mask up'. Better than nothing. Besides, as Carys points out, they were telling us you can get it through the eyes too so a mask without goggles...
As to what's best medically, have they decided yet?
On another point, I'm still not seeing hardly any shoppers cleaning their hands. Till staff don't either. :doh:
MyNameIsTerry
26-09-20, 23:17
Question: How accurate is this app? Early apps were telling you if you entered the same shop as 'the infected' on the same day which is pointless.
Without some decent Googling the quality of this app (by news sites and the NHS) is poor. Since it tracks without a distance of another user signed up it would seem accurate between app users but what about others tracked? If they haven't tracked timings all you have is 'x people were in your Tesco with Covid on the same day as you' which is pointless.
MyNameIsTerry
26-09-20, 23:21
.
I also doubt many people would stick to it this time round and I think there would be a fair amount of rebellion against it.
.
Perhaps the military will do a better job than The Met? How many more reports will we see of packed beaches and rammed streets in pub areas? It's not as if the authorities don't train for public dispersal and funneling...:doh:
whispershadow
26-09-20, 23:30
i downloaded it cause i thought downloading it was compulsory
It's not compulsory, Whisper but strongly advised that the app is downloaded...if you have the technology, that is.
Perhaps the military will do a better job than The Met? How many more reports will we see of packed beaches and rammed streets in pub areas? It's not as if the authorities don't train for public dispersal and funneling...:doh:
Then the serial Covidiots will be screaming 'police state', 'fascist/Nazi state', 'dictatorship', etc, even for being told to social distance and mask up in shops, etc. That's the trouble with a lot of people in this country, they have a habit of making a mountain out of a molehill and making a big drama out of nearly everything.
Perhaps those Covidiots who refuse point blank to co-operate with the current legislation and harp on about their human rights and the like being grossly violated should try living somewhere in the Middle East where there's 'real' dictatorship and be brutalised or even killed for the most trivial of misdemeanours, yet in this country the slightest inconvenience for even just a matter of minutes, such as wearing masks and social distancing whilst in shops is a major crisis situation for many!
I know I'm probably being a bit harsh by saying this but I do believe there are a lot of ungrateful people in this country who have no idea what 'real' hardship/
dictatorship is.
Though I suppose people will be far less inclined to be packing onto beaches and into parks etc en masse from now onwards given the fact it's starting to get colder.
Hi Pulisa
I'm not downloading it. For one thing my phone won't support it and I don't want to get into advanced technology on my mobile.
I don't socialise anyway. No one has been in my home and not been in anyone else's. I don't have family to visit or work to attend and definitely don't go to the pub or eat out.
But apart from that, I wouldn't want to as it would affect my anxiety tenfold.
I've also heard that the App is not working as it should which brings more doubts.
But for you Pulisa, you should do what is best for the wellbeing of your family and yourself. xx
venusbluejeans
27-09-20, 12:26
I have downloaded it as I am a 'key worker' working in a school, so thought it would be irresponsible of me not to download it as I have a hundred little lives to think about too as well as the other staff
Pamplemousse
27-09-20, 13:27
Then the serial Covidiots will be screaming 'police state', 'fascist/Nazi state', 'dictatorship', etc, even for being told to social distance and mask up in shops, etc. That's the trouble with a lot of people in this country, they have a habit of making a mountain out of a molehill and making a big drama out of nearly everything.
Perhaps those Covidiots who refuse point blank to co-operate with the current legislation and harp on about their human rights and the like being grossly violated should try living somewhere in the Middle East where there's 'real' dictatorship and be brutalised or even killed for the most trivial of misdemeanours, yet in this country the slightest inconvenience for even just a matter of minutes, such as wearing masks and social distancing whilst in shops is a major crisis situation for many!
Well, some of them will no doubt welcome this new political party being set up by David Kurten, formerly of UKIP.
https://www.heritageparty.org/manifesto/
Much denial of Covid and vaccines.
I know I'm probably being a bit harsh by saying this but I do believe there are a lot of ungrateful people in this country who have no idea what 'real' hardship/dictatorship is.
Of course they don't! There's a lot of crybabies here in the UK whose idea of a fascist regime is simply someone telling them to do something they don't want to do. Perhaps they'd like to go and live in Belarus for a short period? (Other dictatorships are available)
When they've fled Stalinism, Nazism or Pol Pot I'll listen to them. Otherwise they can get in the sea.
Pamplemousse
27-09-20, 13:29
I've also heard that the App is not working as it should which brings more doubts.
It had an update overnight, I think it now accepts a negative result from any source.
Well, some of them will no doubt welcome this new political party being set up by David Kurten, formerly of UKIP.
https://www.heritageparty.org/manifesto/
Much denial of Covid and vaccines.
Of course they don't! There's a lot of crybabies here in the UK whose idea of a fascist regime is simply someone telling them to do something they don't want to do. Perhaps they'd like to go and live in Belarus for a short period? (Other dictatorships are available)
When they've fled Stalinism, Nazism or Pol Pot I'll listen to them. Otherwise they can get in the sea.
Are the Heritage Party just another 'Brexit'-type party, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere in early 2019 but now seem to be going the way of the dodo in pretty much the same fashion as the more left-leaning Momentum?
Just another passing political fad probably doomed to failure?
Even UKIP and the BNP are now both
essentially pale shadows of their former selves and largely considered old hat, despite both being at a high point some 10 years ago, especially in the wake of the Global Financial Crisis, but never quite large enough to garner significant majorities in Parliament.
Hi Pulisa
I'm not downloading it. For one thing my phone won't support it and I don't want to get into advanced technology on my mobile.
I don't socialise anyway. No one has been in my home and not been in anyone else's. I don't have family to visit or work to attend and definitely don't go to the pub or eat out.
But apart from that, I wouldn't want to as it would affect my anxiety tenfold.
I've also heard that the App is not working as it should which brings more doubts.
But for you Pulisa, you should do what is best for the wellbeing of your family and yourself. xx
Sometimes there's a silver lining from not being the life and soul of the party, isn't there?!:D I'm certainly not expecting any visitors to my house!!
Thanks for your good wishes..My daughter is going to hold off from downloading it for as long as she can and I hope that she doesn't cave in because as with you, it would just make life more of a challenge than it already is and I want her to continue to go to her farm safely xx
Pamplemousse
27-09-20, 18:37
Are the Heritage Party just another 'Brexit'-type party, who suddenly appeared out of nowhere in early 2019 but now seem to be going the way of the dodo in pretty much the same fashion as the more left-leaning Momentum?
Just another passing political fad probably doomed to failure?
Nope - this year, according to the Electoral Commission (but it is yet to be registered by them). Another party chasing the 'Gammon Vote' with some very dangerous views - just read their manifesto in full.
I think that is a good decision Pulisa. For now, anyway. xx
Phoenixess
28-09-20, 23:29
I retract my non trigger comment as now I received an email to download the app and my friend received a text message equally urging to download app! Both times I thought they were alerts that contact with an infected person had occurred. My mind is tripping all over the place at the moment about covid and flu jabs and colds. Argh!! I was doing fine until today
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Nope - this year, according to the Electoral Commission (but it is yet to be registered by them). Another party chasing the 'Gammon Vote' with some very dangerous views - just read their manifesto in full.
I think I'd rather not dare to read their manifesto.
Both Boris and Keir seriously need to put their feet down in order to keep this new hard-right party at bay, and not keep pussyfooting around the 'gammons'.
School teachers also need to put their feet down and educate impressionable youngsters properly about the potential perils of both misinformation and extremism, rather than simply shrugging it off as an inevitable fact of modern day life and in the name of 'free expression'.
MyNameIsTerry
29-09-20, 05:17
Hi Pulisa
I'm not downloading it. For one thing my phone won't support it and I don't want to get into advanced technology on my mobile.
I don't socialise anyway. No one has been in my home and not been in anyone else's. I don't have family to visit or work to attend and definitely don't go to the pub or eat out.
But apart from that, I wouldn't want to as it would affect my anxiety tenfold.
I've also heard that the App is not working as it should which brings more doubts.
But for you Pulisa, you should do what is best for the wellbeing of your family and yourself. xx
Sometimes there's a silver lining from not being the life and soul of the party, isn't there?!:D I'm certainly not expecting any visitors to my house!!
Thanks for your good wishes..My daughter is going to hold off from downloading it for as long as she can and I hope that she doesn't cave in because as with you, it would just make life more of a challenge than it already is and I want her to continue to go to her farm safely xx
When they reduced groups to 6 I just laughed. I can't raise a group that large since my anxiety started as everyone I knew is in the past. :shrug:
MyNameIsTerry
29-09-20, 05:18
I retract my non trigger comment as now I received an email to download the app and my friend received a text message equally urging to download app! Both times I thought they were alerts that contact with an infected person had occurred. My mind is tripping all over the place at the moment about covid and flu jabs and colds. Argh!! I was doing fine until today
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Yeah, I had one. It seems they are picking up anyone who has issued an email address to the NHS.
MyNameIsTerry
29-09-20, 05:27
Nope - this year, according to the Electoral Commission (but it is yet to be registered by them). Another party chasing the 'Gammon Vote' with some very dangerous views - just read their manifesto in full.
Gave up part way through. But sounds like they will be getting one vote from NMP :winks:
Also we've got Lol Fox starting up a 'people disagree with me so I'll go way over the top and start my own political party' party. :biggrin:
MyNameIsTerry
29-09-20, 05:32
Then the serial Covidiots will be screaming 'police state', 'fascist/Nazi state', 'dictatorship', etc, even for being told to social distance and mask up in shops, etc. That's the trouble with a lot of people in this country, they have a habit of making a mountain out of a molehill and making a big drama out of nearly everything.
Perhaps those Covidiots who refuse point blank to co-operate with the current legislation and harp on about their human rights and the like being grossly violated should try living somewhere in the Middle East where there's 'real' dictatorship and be brutalised or even killed for the most trivial of misdemeanours, yet in this country the slightest inconvenience for even just a matter of minutes, such as wearing masks and social distancing whilst in shops is a major crisis situation for many!
I know I'm probably being a bit harsh by saying this but I do believe there are a lot of ungrateful people in this country who have no idea what 'real' hardship/
dictatorship is.
Though I suppose people will be far less inclined to be packing onto beaches and into parks etc en masse from now onwards given the fact it's starting to get colder.
Anyone claiming that should be instantly whacked over the head with Mallett's Mallet...just for our amusement. And then a plaster shoved on their mouths...again for our amusement.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/68/5e/22685efa40906f4fce0c3241b77cc642.jpg
When they reduced groups to 6 I just laughed. I can't raise a group that large since my anxiety started as everyone I knew is in the past. :shrug:
I'm the same, Terry..I was never one for groups anyway.
I wonder how RentaCrowd is coping with the pandemic?:D
Pamplemousse
29-09-20, 09:42
I'm the same, Terry..I was never one for groups anyway.
I have long hated parties. I wasn't too bad up with them up to my late twenties and then in my mid-30s a switch just flipped and I rapidly grew to detest them. At one party - held after a major event I was heavily involved with - rather than attend the party I quietly excused myself and started packing the kit away on my own.
Anyone claiming that should be instantly whacked over the head with Mallett's Mallet...just for our amusement. And then a plaster shoved on their mouths...again for our amusement.
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/22/68/5e/22685efa40906f4fce0c3241b77cc642.jpg
Gosh, that brings back great childhood memories!!
I bet you a tenner that the PC brigade would be having hissy fits over people like Timmy Mallett and his wacky, but generally harmless, antics today.
Thank god he hasn't (wrongly) fallen foul of Operation Yewtree as yet!!
For goodness sake ! I just had a text from the NHS with the title 'NHStracing' and with the first line being 'This is a public health message from NHS Test & Trace....' (which is all that shows on my text popup notification). I nearly fell outta my skin. Anyway........once open it tells me to download the app, which I already have downloaded, and therefore presumed they were contacting me telling me to isolate or something !
I’m in two minds about the reasoning here, to be honest. Yes, having the app has the potential to increase anxiety regarding Covid-19, but doesn’t it work the other way also? As in, no news is good news?
I dare say that most folk on here who suffer with health anxiety have increased levels of anxiety right now anyway. I mean, to watch our news and listen to the “OMG 50,000 cases per day” nonsense from our chief medical and scientific officers is enough to give the most hard hearted of people the absolute fear, I don’t know that an app will make that much difference.
Speaking only for myself, I feel much easier knowing that if I do have this virus the odds are that I’ll be made aware by this app and therefore won’t be passing it on to vulnerable folk around me. I know not everyone feels that way but perhaps that attitude might offer a crumb of comfort rather than just increasing anxiety?
Well, it won't tell you if you 'do have the virus' though Gary, only if you've been exposed and need to isolate. :winks: It was having to isolate I wasn't too chuffed about.
Well, it won't tell you if you 'do have the virus' though Gary, only if you've been exposed and need to isolate. :winks: It was having to isolate I wasn't too chuffed about.
I know, what I mean is that if you’re not advised that you’ve been exposed that could be a way of decreasing anxiety. As I say, the old “no news is good news” type of thing.
[I am with Carnation and Pulisa on this one. I have the technology but I won't be downloading it. Nothing more than neurotic click-bait. Certainly wouldn't want to be on the end of a 'you may have been in the vicinity of some one who may have had symptoms who may have been tested but the test may have been a false positive/negative'.... need i go on? Just use your common sense and mitigate risk ... I don't need to be scared of my own shadow!!
MyNameIsTerry
30-09-20, 06:29
I'm the same, Terry..I was never one for groups anyway.
I wonder how RentaCrowd is coping with the pandemic?:D
Hey, i can use them to add 5 to make up my numbers :yesyes:
You may see us doing an impromptu crowd dance on the tube. Social distancing routines mind you :winks:
MyNameIsTerry
30-09-20, 06:32
For goodness sake ! I just had a text from the NHS with the title 'NHStracing' and with the first line being 'This is a public health message from NHS Test & Trace....' (which is all that shows on my text popup notification). I nearly fell outta my skin. Anyway........once open it tells me to download the app, which I already have downloaded, and therefore presumed they were contacting me telling me to isolate or something !
For a moment you thought you would have to paint a red cross on your front door and go everywhere ringing a bell :roflmao:
"Unclean, unclean!!!" :roflmao:
MyNameIsTerry
30-09-20, 06:35
I know, what I mean is that if you’re not advised that you’ve been exposed that could be a way of decreasing anxiety. As I say, the old “no news is good news” type of thing.
If only. Since uncertainty is one of the foundations of anxiety some will just sit there all year on edge waiting for it to ping them as infected just as they do endlessly checking in the cancer they don't have.
You're right but with an out of control irrational disorder it's merely delaying until the bad news comes. They need strategies to stop them sitting waiting or endlessly checking since these only feed the disorder.
MyNameIsTerry
30-09-20, 06:39
Gosh, that brings back great childhood memories!!
I bet you a tenner that the PC brigade would be having hissy fits over people like Timmy Mallett and his wacky, but generally harmless, antics today.
Thank god he hasn't (wrongly) fallen foul of Operation Yewtree as yet!!
Same here, I can remember watching that loads. School would have been so much better lime that (the teachers would have enjoyed use of the mallet but I suspect one or two would shove some stones in it like we did with snowballs :winks:).
Would they even make some like that today?
Can you remember Knightmare? That was one of my faves.
Same here, I can remember watching that loads. School would have been so much better lime that (the teachers would have enjoyed use of the mallet but I suspect one or two would shove some stones in it like we did with snowballs :winks:).
Would they even make some like that today?
Can you remember Knightmare? That was one of my faves.
Knightmare rings a bell but I don't remember seriously watching it.
Yes, Timmy Mallett and his Wackaday show in the late 80s-early 90s era would probably most certainly be condemned by today's 'flakes, wokes and the PC brigade, whilst on the other hand we still tolerate gangsta-rappers endlessly churning out hits that blatantly glorify crime and violence, which IMO smacks of double standards.
At least the hard-hitting kids' dramas back in our day, such as Grange Hill, Byker Grove, Children's Ward, etc, in spite of much of their controversies at the time, were some kind of lesson in many bad decisions having potentially profound consequences. And covering widespread societal issues that the masses of pretty much all age groups could relate to.
I know, what I mean is that if you’re not advised that you’ve been exposed that could be a way of decreasing anxiety. As I say, the old “no news is good news” type of thing.
I often feel the same about social media in general, which I am convinced is largely responsible for the current anxiety 'pandemic', which of course long predates Covid.
I personally would rejoice immensely if the likes of Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc suddenly vanished from the face of the earth next year and we all had to rely on news from 'proper' sources, like good old Aunty Beeb. Unrealistic I know, but I reckon many would probably agree with me.
Pamplemousse
30-09-20, 16:58
For the first time today I used the "check-in" facility on the app; it's useful to note that there's a "cancel" option as well, as I got so fed up waiting outside one place to be let in (and my bladder had other ideas!) that I walked away. It'll be interesting (FSVO) to see if it generates any warnings from that in the next 21 days. I hope not.
Does anyone use the Zoe COVID symptom study app? I've been logging in daily for months now.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/
Does anyone use the Zoe COVID symptom study app? I've been logging in daily for months now.
https://covid.joinzoe.com/
Pardon the pun but I would avoid that one like the plague personally..
Pardon the pun but I would avoid that one like the plague personally..
I personally find all these different sources confusing in the extreme.
They all seem to be trying to outdo each other IMO, some overstating the stats/risks, and others seemingly undercounting/underestimating the stats/risks, probably with certain agendas at play, especially following the big drops in cases last Saturday-Monday, but suddenly rocketing above 7k by Tuesday.
Though still very likely to be much lower than back in February-April, as my dad heard an expert from Cambridge Uni on the news yesterday mention that. Even the BBC News website's commentary yesterday evening seemed to have a little bit more perspective and stated that this second 'bout' so far appears to be concentrated on more specific areas compared to the first 'bout' earlier this year which was far more evenly spread nationwide.
I'm also sure I heard them saying on BBC Radio 2's lunchtime news bulletin today that overall Covid cases in England might now be starting to slow down.
Pamplemousse
01-10-20, 17:10
I'm also sure I heard them saying on BBC Radio 2's lunchtime news bulletin today that overall Covid cases in England might now be starting to slow down.
You heard correctly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54366478
You heard correctly: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-54366478
I most certainly did then!!
They too showed graphs suggesting daily cases in both France and Spain are also starting to slow at long last.
Though if course, we are still only at the very beginning of October and only time will tell as to how things pan out between now and spring 2021.
Pardon the pun but I would avoid that one like the plague personally..Tbh Pulisa it doesn't trigger my anxiety too much other than estimating the number of cases in my area. You just make an entry each day to say whether you're feeling physically ok or not. Though admittedly I don't explore the rest of the app that goes into more detail about C-19 stats.
Pamplemousse
01-10-20, 21:09
I most certainly did then!!
They too showed graphs suggesting daily cases in both France and Spain are also starting to slow at long last.
Though if course, we are still only at the very beginning of October and only time will tell as to how things pan out between now and spring 2021.
However, it would seem very likely that Paris is about to enter the same level of restrictions as Marseille on Sunday:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54377726
French authorities could place Paris under maximum Covid alert from Monday, the country's health minister warned.
Olivier Véran said infection rates in the capital and its suburbs are rising and a decision on imposing new restrictions will be made on Sunday.
He added that a "total closure of bars" could be needed in the capital.
However, it would seem very likely that Paris is about to enter the same level of restrictions as Marseille on Sunday:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-54377726
On the other hand the govts of both France and Spain still haven't as yet opted for second nationwide lockdowns, despite cases in both countries still being far higher than the UK.
Strangely cases in England now seem to be either declining or at least levelling off, whilst cases in the other 3 UK nations are still on the increase and NI has the fastest increase today.
Quite ironic considering Scotland, Wales and NI previously all seemed to be far more on the case than England in managing the pandemic, though England, obviously being the largest and most populous of all 4 UK nations, still accounts for the lion's share of infections.
It was also mentioned on the BBC News website today that the latest ONS figures for Covid are a bit lower than those of the previous week, despite the time lag.
Pamplemousse
13-10-20, 14:11
Briefly returning to this; how many people on here have this app AND use the "venue check in" function?
MyNameIsTerry
14-10-20, 01:40
Briefly returning to this; how many people on here have this app AND use the "venue check in" function?
Do you have any thoughts on it's accuracy? I'm thinking of trying this app but it was difficult finding anything beyond bullet points on how it works. For me if a venue had someone with Covid there 6 hours before me I'm not interested for the same reasons the road I walked across earlier didn't see me run over but someone else was, for instance.
Phoenixess
14-10-20, 23:44
Briefly returning to this; how many people on here have this app AND use the "venue check in" function?
I have at two venues
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hello everyone,
I am new to the forum.
What is your opinion on the data privacy when using this app?
WiredIncorrectly
04-11-20, 12:17
I believe the test and trace application doesn't work, and I'd be highly suspicious of installing any application owned by the Government. But, if you have Facebook, Snapchat, Tiktoc, Whatsapp, Twitter on you're phone then you're already in a bad place in terms of your privacy and data :roflmao:
But on a serious note I've read so much about the failure of the test and trace app. Here's one from today: https://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/news/leicester-news/test-trace-delays-dangerous-unacceptable-4666165
Well I guess bugs will appear as with all new launched apps and of course you're right about all data from other apps. But regarding the venue checking in I think that comparing to the other two ways of track and trace it is probably the safest.
As a software developer here is how I would develop test and trace.
In my hypothetical application the app the collects nothing but your geocordinates and your telephone number. Using this data I could then see the exact location of a person and everybody else around them.
... oh wait. Now we have a problem with my very simple idea. Already there is enough information to track the whereabouts of anybody who has installed the application. Forget the bugs in the system, that's nothing compared to the data they already have.
Is it wrong to accuse the Government of manipulation of data? Absolutely not. Every political party wants data to help market their campaigns. Domonic Cummings is VERY good at it, and I praise him on his intellectual abilities in the area of data science.
On the surface, it's a great idea. The same as Facebook app, and TicToc, are apparently great ideas. Under the surface lurks a sinister beast of every mobile application. The beast is the data sucking hoover that takes all your seemingly innocent "doing nothing wrong" data, and it turns it into meaningful data that can be used against you.
It's going to be super easy for the Government to fine lockdown breakers who have test and trace installed. "Oh look, she went out the house to get her hair cut a Maggies house, we'll pop her a message that she owes us 50 quid" ... said the AI.
I trust non of it. I work in the industry. I know how murky it is. My friends work in the industry of "selling data". I have profited from the sale of data. Ever put your name in to win something? Ever signed up to receive newsletters? Your data is gold.
I could set up a legit website, under a legit company, posing as a "loan search engine". You'll enter your details, and my cash machine will start spitting out money. You're what's called a "hot lead". Your get you'll loan, I'd get your juicy data that's worth £3. Just £3 you may say. Well, times that by 10,000 people doing the same and the numbers make sense. And after you've been sold once, I'll sell you again, and again, and again, and again until my lead list has been ran dry. Then I'd rinse and repeat.
If you feel like my business practices are damned wrong, you're right. But this is what is happening day in, day out, and all the players are on the ball.
I'm not in this game anymore, but I can tell you how it all works. For your own safety people ... ditch these apps. Just get yourself a normal bog standard phone. The rest is hype.
Google a company called leadbyte. Pay them £300 a month and you can sell your leads all day long. They'll even buy them and hook you up with buyers automatically. You pick the highest bidder for your data. The fee is for their software. I could fix my financial situation at the click of a finger, but money is useless when earned in immoral ways. I'd rather sit on my throne knowing I worked damned hard and legitimately for my income. I've been the bad guy in my past. This practice is often put under "big data", "data science", or in reality ... data brokering.
I'm a wise old fool.
I appreciate your answer.
I understand what you mean about all this data business and I can see it happen all the time. Ads on facebook from what I have been googling before etc.
And of course political parties want to market campaigns.
The app however, from what I have read about how it works with random IDs and not built-in GPS seems to me a decent way to try not to track locations.
Track and trace as a method though is some kind of surveillance but it is supposed to be done for protecting vulnerable groups of people from getting the virus.
So, in a sense, I agree that if you don't want to share your data you probably have to get an older technology phone.
Regarding what I said about venue check-in, I mentioned that it is probably the best to use the scan of the QR code and not the other options because in the other two options you register on a website or give your details to the venue and you can be tracked and traced. The only difference is I guess that you cannot upload your supposedly positive test to the app. However if you are tested positive I guess your details are also used.
ankietyjoe
04-11-20, 23:34
Can we put the tin foil hats away.
It's just data. They don't have a direct connection to your brain in order to control your thoughts.
All it's for is to hyper define the ads you see to encourage you to buy shit. Relax.
After receiving a positive diagnosis at the end of October I was contacted by the NHS track and trace and spent well over an hour on the phone trying to recall everywhere I’d been for the past fortnight.
A lot of those places are work related, they are densely populated and I informed the call handler of at least 35 different work sites I had visited in the days before my diagnosis.
I have since been back to every one of those sites and not a single one was ever contacted. Literally hundreds of people were around me when I was infectious and not one of them were informed.
Luckily, it appears that nobody was infected by me but I’m utterly disgusted at the lack of action taken by track and trace. We can’t keep taking the blame for rising infections, it appears that those in charge are failing at a very basic level to try and control this mess.
Wow Gary that’s terrible. Do you think they didn’t deem them important enough to or it got lost somewhere?
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Wow Gary that’s terrible. Do you think they didn’t deem them important enough to or it got lost somewhere?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
I honestly have no idea.
I think that’s about right Lola!! [emoji23]
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Poor old Boris has been Tracked and Traced!!! 14 days out of the firing line..silver linings etc
unsure_about_this
15-11-20, 20:59
My sister had to self isolate because she had the app message a few weeks ago, she went for the test on Monday and it came back negative, this is the 2nd test she has had, because of her job the first one she had was not because she been near anyone or had symptoms.
MyNameIsTerry
16-11-20, 11:39
Poor old Boris has been Tracked and Traced!!! 14 days out of the firing line..silver linings etc
Fit as a butcher's dog he says. Or did he mean something like head like a robber's dog? :biggrin:
They better put a QR code on that copper standing outside no 10 so visitors can check :nicked::roflmao:
After receiving a positive diagnosis at the end of October I was contacted by the NHS track and trace and spent well over an hour on the phone trying to recall everywhere I’d been for the past fortnight.
A lot of those places are work related, they are densely populated and I informed the call handler of at least 35 different work sites I had visited in the days before my diagnosis.
I have since been back to every one of those sites and not a single one was ever contacted. Literally hundreds of people were around me when I was infectious and not one of them were informed.
Luckily, it appears that nobody was infected by me but I’m utterly disgusted at the lack of action taken by track and trace. We can’t keep taking the blame for rising infections, it appears that those in charge are failing at a very basic level to try and control this mess.
Hi Gary, may I ask if you had installed on your phone at that time the COVID19 NHS app and if you were using it? I am making a study for my master's about the use of this technology to help halt the spread of pandemic. Thank you in advance!
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