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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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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:

vodkaredbullgirl · 19/12/2020 13:07

No don't have it, hardly go out anywhere only work.

Nottherealslimshady · 19/12/2020 13:09

We got it because we needed to have it at a private scan place we went to. Never opened it since.

rc22 · 19/12/2020 13:18

I have it. I switch it off for work as I don't keep my phone on me then often switch it back on. Don't really go anywhere but work though! DH doesn't have it. He tried to download it but his phone is too old so couldn't.

rc22 · 19/12/2020 13:19

Forget to switch it back on that should have said.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 19/12/2020 13:20

I've got it and I have dutifully loaded my positive test result to it.

It seems a bit shit tbh
It didn't tell DH for a few days despite us living together (obvious he was isolating anyway) and it's told him a totally different and much longer isolation period than me (I got 10 days from the correct date. He got 14 from a later date)

Quite often my phone isn't exactly where I am eg at work it's in my locker. I can easily go out without it or switch it off

The only thing it did do was ping excitedly when I left the house to seek medical as advised (it's not apparently clever enough to realise I was at a hospital)
It sent me a flurry of reminder texts that I must say in and a charming track and trace lady rang to 'remind me'

Givemeabreak88 · 19/12/2020 13:21

No way and never will , I also don’t know anyone who has downloaded it

CardoMondo · 19/12/2020 13:24

I have it. It’s a load of shit and absolutely pointless. I’ve been in close contact with loads of people who had tested positive and not one alert on the app. I don’t get what it’s actually supposed to do

Scottishskifun · 19/12/2020 13:24

Yes I have 2 covid apps the Scotland tracking one and the covid symptoms tracker where you daily report as it feeds into research.

The later being incredibly useful because it actually includes loads more symptoms then the standard 3 and before mass testing rolled out I found it helped a lot.

Washimal · 19/12/2020 13:27

I downloaded it but we're not allowed to have it on at work (I work in a school) and I kept forgetting to turn it back on again so don't bother with it now.

ElizabethG81 · 19/12/2020 13:27

I don't have it, don't know anyone who does. I haven't heard anything about it for ages so assumed it had been cocked up and wasn't really used anymore.

HoneysuckIejasmine · 19/12/2020 13:28

Nope. I use the Zoe Covid Symptom tracker app, so I'm helping research. Don't see the point in the Gov one.

My workplace asks that it's turned off and I don't go anywhere else. My hairdresser has the log in but she also has a paper you can fill in instead and obviously she keeps her appointment records so can do contact tracing.

OublietteBravo · 19/12/2020 13:32

I have it on my work phone, but not my personal one (too old to support the app). I doubt it’s much use. I’ve been WFH for over 9 months and my work phone only leaves the house if I go for a walk during office hours.

nosswith · 19/12/2020 13:33

I don't have it. I go out on occasions without my phone, and it is turned off at night.

nothingcanhurtmewithmyeyesshut · 19/12/2020 13:38

I have it but not sure it works as I'm a retail worker so in contact with lots of people and never heard a peep from it.

EileenGC · 19/12/2020 13:38

It's absolutely ok if you partner doesn't have it. It's recommended, not compulsory.

I have it because work recommended we use it. Some people haven't bothered but I don't have an issue with it. But then, I'm in a country where the app actually works and doesn't tell you to isolate all the time, even when you haven't left your house.

NastyBlouse · 19/12/2020 13:40

Nope. DH and I both work from home and don’t go anywhere we’d need it really. Anywhere I have been — osteopathic appointments, dentist, optician etc — have my name and contact information anyway.

I love going to restaurants normally but not with all this hygiene theatre shit, I get why they’re doing it but the whole thing becomes totally unenjoyable for me so I’d rather not bother at all until it’s over.

So I see no need to have the app. Besides, I already had covid at the beginning of the year when barely anyone even knew what it was, let alone tried to track and trace contacts.

Madcats · 19/12/2020 13:41

We downloaded it weeks ago (and work from home).

On the rare occasions we go to a pub or restaurant the QR code usually just links to their own registration system. I think we've managed to login as planned twice?

megletthesecond · 19/12/2020 13:42

No.
I WFH, never go to hairdressers, gym or restaurants. Plus my phone is almost dead and there isn't enough space to even run the update let alone install another app. And I can pick up my neighbours Bluetooth in my house.

Crankley · 19/12/2020 13:45

I've never used an app. If I were to, I doubt it would be for Covid.

trappedsincesundaymorn · 19/12/2020 13:46

No. I don't have a smart phone so can't download anything at all.

Ponoka7 · 19/12/2020 13:46

I didn't but when Liverpool was the only place in lock down nowhere would let you in without taking details, so it was easier to download it and scan in.

Now we are in tier 2 and the softplay etc are open, I've kept it, so I'm not held up going in.

HarrietSchulenberg · 19/12/2020 13:47

I don't have it as it's too inaccurate. My workplace almost closed because of its inaccuracy when it notified 35 people that they needed to isolate. It had wrongly identified 1 person as having tested positive (it was her husband, not her, meaning she should isolate), then identified staff who had supposedly been in contact with her. They'd been several rooms away and hadn't even set eyes on the poor woman!
We were politely asked to delete the app.
I refuse to have it anyway, it's utter crap.

FunnysInLaJardin · 19/12/2020 13:47

We had it but deleted to a few weeks ago. Friends were getting notifications, having to go into isolation and then waiting a week before track and trace got in touch for a test.

We see no one and when at work keep 2 meters at all times. We are now WFH and the kids are at home, so we don't have contact with anyone anyway.

More trouble than its worth tbh

DougRossIsTheBoss · 19/12/2020 13:53

I do sometimes wonder if the neighbours are going to get identified as contacts from being on the other side of the wall of my sick room with our terraced houses.

Chanandlerbong01 · 19/12/2020 13:57

I have it. My friend tested positive on a test done the day after I had stayed with her (test at work with no symptoms). Recorded it on the app and I’ve not been told to isolate..... we were together for 14 hours and both had the app on!

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