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Original poster

Do you bother with the covid app??

61 replies

Christmas41 · 19/12/2020 12:36

Hi all, this may cause a stir. What’s everyone’s opinion on the nhs covid-19 app!?

I downloaded it on my phone (iPhone xr if that makes a difference ) and for weeks the app wouldn’t open. Just froze. I tried to delete and re-download. But couldn’t get on for many weeks. It is okay again now.

Partner hasn’t got the app. I honestly though we did have but he never bothered. Tbf he only ever goes to work in a smallish workplace, doesn’t take public transport or go anywhere outside of work without me 🤣

Is it really bad he hasn’t got it? Although he doesn’t do much without me. There are times I go and do things without him (he likes staying home) where I may have contact but he won’t. So I guess he really should get it?!

He is not anti covid or anything just hasn’t bothered with it!

Is it really bad he won’t download it?

He was put off because a work friend of his kept getting notifications to isolate then they would disappear!

OP posts:
GlummyMcGlummerson · 19/12/2020 12:38

I strongly suspect you'll trigger the COVID mad Pearl clutchers but YANBU. It's suggested, not compulsory.

ForestNymph · 19/12/2020 12:38

No, I don't have it and never have or will.

Redcrayons · 19/12/2020 12:39

The IOS on my phone is not supported and I’m reluctant to upgrade it because it’s oldish and I don’t want it to stop working. I would have it otherwise.

I know quite a few people who have been told not to use by work.

Plonque · 19/12/2020 12:42

I don't have it and never have had. I thought from the start that it would be more trouble than it was worth and I feel like I have been proved right quite a lot, mostly judging from posts on here, but also quite a lot of friends/acquaintances have been T&T'd when the chance of actually being in contact have been low to nil.

canigooutyet · 19/12/2020 12:44

No. Don't know anyone who has downloaded it tbh.

naturalyoghurtmuncher · 19/12/2020 12:44

I've never had it, I don't plan on getting it either.

Rocketpants50 · 19/12/2020 12:47

We had it but then we got covid and it kept changing the amount of time we needed to isolate for, it also didnt correspond with what track and trace people were saying and couldn't tell us which was right. Then when my dh had done his time, it then told him he needed to isolate again for 5 days - had not been in contact with anyone. So now permanently deleted!

DreamingOfSummer1 · 19/12/2020 12:49

I downloaded it but I think I’ve only actually checked into a couple of places. The first was a Costa in my hometown in Devon. I scanned the QR code and it said ‘checked into Costa in York’. I told the lady serving that it thought it was in York and she laughed and said it had been telling people that they were in York, Guildford or Southampton all morning. So, it’s clearly absolute bollocks and I couldn’t really be arsed. I don’t want to have to isolate because someone in York got Coronavirus and the app thinks I was sat next to them despite being in Devon.

Plonque · 19/12/2020 12:51

Just reading the posts Rocketpants50 and Dreamingofsummer1 makes me glad I never touched it!

Wellthisismorethanabitgrim · 19/12/2020 12:52

I was thinking about this the other day. I don't have it, not because I object or anything, it just hasnt occurred to me to get it.

I've been WFH since March, DH is now unemployed, no DCs, we are not seeing family or friends and we haven't been eating out or going to the pub. Literally the only place one of us could pick it up is the supermarket or the post office if we've been there, and in both those scenarios we'd be wearing masks, keeping our distance from other people, and not in close(ish) contact with anyone for more than a few minutes.

tsmainsqueeze · 19/12/2020 12:53

No way.

ShesMadeATwatOfMePam · 19/12/2020 12:53

You need to have your Bluetooth on for it to trace contact and i never have it switched on. So seems pointless to me.

Westfacing · 19/12/2020 12:53

Yes, I have and everyone I know has it.

Over the past year it's been a requirement at most restaurants/bars to scan in. I've not had any problems.

I've read that some people who don't have the App and give a false mobile number when eating out, if the establishment keeps a paper trail. That's the mentality of some people.

lifebytheby · 19/12/2020 12:54

No. Never had it and unlikely to download at some point in the future.

GlummyMcGlummerson · 19/12/2020 12:56

I don't have it and hve eaten at plenty of restaurants

Meredithgrey1 · 19/12/2020 12:56

Nope, it doesn’t work on my phone (my phone is very old and a lot doesn’t properly work on it).
I always give the correct details where I’m required to check in of course (restaurants etc).

sofiaaaaaa · 19/12/2020 12:57

I downloaded it initially to use for qr codes for dining at restaurants. But then my area perma dropped into tier 3, so eating out has been banned pretty much since the app launched. I deleted it and haven’t use it since.Blush

I turned off the contact tracing from the start, I know it’s the key feature but I am a power phone user that spends long days out of the house due to work, and my battery already drains quickly as it is. I can’t have my battery die within a mere couple of hours of being out for the sake of the app.

ZaZathecat · 19/12/2020 12:58

I downloaded it on day 1, but when I found you need to keep Bluetooth on I abandoned it - my phone would be out of charge every few hours.
Also have been hearing that some people, especially in flats, get regular pings for being near someone with Covid when they haven't even been out.

ArcherDog · 19/12/2020 12:59

I’ve got it and I use it to check in to everywhere I go.

It’s just told me that 6 days ago I had ‘close contact’ with someone who has tested positive, so now need to self isolate for 5 days to make up the 10day incubation period.
I get there would be a delay until the infected person is confirmed positive but that’s 6 days I could have been asymptomatic and passing it on.

SpamIAm · 19/12/2020 13:00

I've used it to check in a few places but then there's no check out option that I can see, so I've stopped using that and use whatever other option the venue has available. Don't use contact tracing because it would drain my battery having Bluetooth on, besides which I'm never closer than 2m to anyone outside my household for longer than a couple of seconds when passing and we've been told not to use it in work, so I can't see how I'd get a genuine notification anyway.

OhWhyNot · 19/12/2020 13:01

I switch it off for work then often forget to switch it in again

I’m regularly tested only going to the shops and go when it’s less busy (after 9pm)

dottiedodah · 19/12/2020 13:02

My phone is too old and I havent been able to replace it yet (Sorry Mr Hancock,not all of us millionaire MPs you know! So if we have eaten out have just given names and addresses to the Cafe instead .

Toomanyparsnips · 19/12/2020 13:05

Nope, never bothered. Phone doesn't have enough memory/battery capacity to cope with it, and anyway I suspected it would probably just cause a load of grief (which it sounds like it does). On the rare occasions I go somewhere requiring it I just sign in manually.

ChasingRainbows19 · 19/12/2020 13:07

I downloaded it, used in a couple of places to eat before restrictions and lockdowns kicked in ( greater Manchester)
I’m NHS staff and can’t have it on in work so it’s stayed off since as I’ve not been anywhere long enough to need it on!

Superstardjs · 19/12/2020 13:07

I don't have it and have no intention of getting it. I give my phone number when out, I don't feel the app is needed.

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