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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

See all MNHQ comments on this thread

Original poster

To think people won't download the app if it will cost them money ...**Title edited by MNHQ**

36 replies

gummybeary · 08/05/2020 17:44

I have name changed for this, because I am worried people will think I'm advocating this, which I'm not, but I do keep wondering about it.

The government are hoping that people will download the tracing app, and then they and their families are expected to self-isolate when they have been in contact with a possible source of Covid. I watched QT last night and that seemed to be what they were saying.

Will people do that if it means they have to take SSP for two weeks at a time while they are off work? Especially if this is quite a substantial drop in income for them and their families each time? It could end up costing some families quite a lot over time, and while I understand the need to protect others, will people do this at the expense of protecting their own incomes?

If not, will it end up being only those who can afford it or are in jobs with good sickness pay schemes who remain signed up?

Of course, they could get tested to get back to work quicker, but the results from tests would need to speed up a lot for that to make a huge difference to time off.

Please tell me if I'm not understanding something, because I'm sure I'm missing something.

OP posts:
Original poster
gummybeary · 08/05/2020 17:45

Oh my gosh - the typos in my title! Sorry!

OP posts:
nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 08/05/2020 17:48

I was under the impression that the app would be a free one.

CodenameVillanelle · 08/05/2020 17:50

It will be free
She's talking about people losing wages self isolating
I think it will be hard to get people to self isolate based on a notification from the app to be honest

Frustratedsenmummy · 08/05/2020 17:53

People won't isolate the 2 weeks with symptoms within their household let alone based on an app

CastleCrasher · 08/05/2020 17:56

I want to know a lot more about how the risk assessment and notifications will work. If I have symptoms, but no positive test, will it still notify contracts to isolate?
What will be the trigger point for contact the? If it's going to suggest self isolation every time someone you came into brief contact with a week ago has a cough, it's going to be useless. But at the same time, it needs to be cautious of its too work. Until the public are confident the balance is right, I agree that people will be reluctant to isolate on its say so

Swooningmonkey · 08/05/2020 18:06

I’m not downloading it or using it because there’s currently no way to opt-in or out of third-party trackers which are included with the app.The app only works whilst it’s open on iOS devices. And it’s not compatible with older Android devices, putting the most vulnerable at risk.

It’ll be another useless vanity project. Just test everyone routinely!

vanillandhoney · 08/05/2020 18:09

Yep, it will only work if people do as instructed and self-isolate and report as necessary.

How is that going to be enforced?

Cuddling57 · 08/05/2020 18:10

Yes I get what you are saying boy what are the other options?
They have to do something!
It seems to work well in other countries?
At least those people could try to stay away from elderly or vulnerable (obv not if you live with them)?
I don't know, it's a hard one to deal with.

vanillandhoney · 08/05/2020 18:17

It seems to work well in other countries?

Other countries also enforced a proper lockdown, with fines of upto 30,000 euros if people continually flouted the rules. Here, people were fined what, £60, dropped to £30 if they paid within a short period?

The UK lockdown was nothing compared to Europe, and even so lots of people ignored it and did what they wanted anyway. I have no idea how the government are going to enforce this.

CheriLittlebottom · 08/05/2020 18:17

How will it work in a secondary school setting? One kid with symptoms could trigger the app for 60+ other children. Not to mention 10+ teachers. Two kids at the same time, siblings perhaps? 15-20 teachers, over 100 children. That many teachers having to isolate for two weeks? That could shut down the school. I just don't get it.

The SSP issue has occurred to me too. Perhaps the government will amend the furlough scheme to cover these lost earnings.

LynetteScavo · 08/05/2020 18:34

So, if someone enters a school (for example a head teacher) and then tests positive for Covid 19. The majority of staff will have been in contact with the HT. They will receive a text....so do the staff involved self isolate and most of the school is closed? Just the staff whose phones have been near the HT's or all staff who know they've had a conversation and handed over papers: used the same photocopier?

This is why I don't think most year groups can go back before September.

And what about GPS and dentists?

fromlittleacorns · 08/05/2020 18:41

Would it be different by september lynettescavo (love your character!). Assuming there s no vaccine, wouldnt the same still happen then? Unless most people have already been infected by september so there are fewer alerts? Though I dont understand it to be the Govt’s strategy - though that is not always clear.

I think op is right that there would need to be Financial compensation to those self isolating.

MNHQ
CarolineMumsnet · 08/05/2020 18:46

Hi OP, we've tweaked that title for you. Hope that helps. Flowers

Original poster
gummybeary · 08/05/2020 18:47

Thank you @CarolineMumsnet!

OP posts:
Meredithgrey1 · 08/05/2020 18:51

As well as an immediate financial issue, if they want it to work the government is really going to have to back up the quarantining by telling employers they have to allow it. A couple of two week absences from many jobs (where wfh isn't an option) would just not be acceptable to a lot of employers and people will be under pressure to come in or lose future work.

Chokablok · 08/05/2020 19:05

They should have upped SSP to £300ish a week like they did in Ireland.

I can guarantee people weren't staying off work with symptoms because I know of two people who didn't.

That's not going to change when the lockdown is lifted.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 08/05/2020 19:22

I was thinking exactly the same OP, I would be inclined to leave my phone at home if that was all it took to fool the powers that be that I was following guidelines - which would totally defeat the object.
Unsympathetic boss, piss takers and employees who have no choice but to use public transport, I see why it was trialled it in a smaller location. And those saying it worked in Europe, only need to look at the death toll in this country compared to everywhere else.

CheriLittlebottom · 08/05/2020 19:27

Even for people in jobs with full sick pay there's a risk. DH's company told everyone they were only allowed one Covid related absence period under company sick pay. So if you isolate because the app tells you to bit don't develop the virus yourself, and get another alert a few weeks later, you're up shit creek.

People will ignore it if it is going to hit them in the pocket.

SouthWestmom · 08/05/2020 19:30

Massively open to abuse. Fancy two weeks off? Oh the app told me to.
No way will people self isolate for two
Weeks with no symptoms unless it's really fine tuned to say 15 minutes close to the person but who knows how sophisticated it will be?

Bladeofgrass · 08/05/2020 19:45

Seeing as the data is centrally stored, what would happen if you didn't self isolate after an alert?
The app would know that you were still out and about. Would the police turn up and fine you, or forcibly quarantine you? This could happen to you every time you returned to work, if you work in a large building.
People could be almost permenantly in quarantine, and certainly lose their jobs.

alibongo5 · 08/05/2020 20:04

Surely the app would only know if you were out and about if you took your phone with you? It is possible to go out without your phone you know! Grin

Bladeofgrass · 08/05/2020 20:11

True, alibongo5 but sort of defeats the object of having it.
I'd rather just not download it in the first place, and be able to keep my phone on me.

In my place of work, all mobile phones are stored in one place, not allowed them with you during the day. So it would look as if I spent all day within 2ft of someone who I may not even have seen all day because we were in different parts of the building.

LynetteScavo · 08/05/2020 20:13

Well during lockdown I've discovered it's possible to walk/cycle rather than take the car. I'm have the feeling I may now discover it's possible to go out without my phone or not download the app

Do you remember when a U2 album appeared on everyone's iPhone? Is that a possibility with apps? Could an app appear in your phone without you downloading it? The idea being not everyone who wouldn't have downloaded it would delete it.

Ginkypig · 08/05/2020 20:27

lynetteScavo

I was just thinking that! They obviously have the ability to force content on to people's phones and they may consider it something they are allowed to do under the health act.

Wether I want to download the app is separate to this but I'll be very angry if the choice is taken away!

Graphista · 08/05/2020 20:55

Don't trust it as far as I can throw it!

People will use workarounds if they use it at all.

Apparently it only works with the app open AND your Bluetooth on constantly (which drains fuck out your battery) then there's the data mining, loss of freedom and as you say loss of earnings...

Nah it's gonna be yet another expensive Tory failure