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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Am I bad for having never downloaded the NHS covid app?

120 replies

Barbaraan · 09/07/2021 13:29

I realise with all this talk of the NHS app that I have never downloaded it - I didnt realise that I should?

I have always provided name and address when asked in restaurants, pubs etc but havent had the app running generally.

I guess I like to think that I'm fairly safe - I have been working from home since Jan and interacting with partner who goes to work and children at school and a few occasions interacting with parents in law and parents. My only interaction with others is at the supermarket several times a week.

Have I been irresponsible or just managed the risk appropriately? If everyone isnt doing it what is the point of anyone doing it?

OP posts:
jimmyhill · 09/07/2021 13:30

Bad? No. Plenty of people don't even have smartphones. The worst anyone could say is that you have behaved indifferently

LST · 09/07/2021 13:38

You'll be shot down on here. But no your not. I did download it but I have deleted it now

User5827372728 · 09/07/2021 13:40

I never downloaded it either.

Distiller91 · 09/07/2021 13:41

No i never did either

iamalighthouse · 09/07/2021 13:41

No.I don't have a smartphone

wigglerose · 09/07/2021 13:41

No. It was only ever voluntary. Not that the government would like you to act like it is advisory

osbertthesyrianhamster · 09/07/2021 13:42

No.

Justcallmebebes · 09/07/2021 13:43

I did but deleted it months ago

DynamoKev · 09/07/2021 13:43

My Phone is too old to run it.

Unanananana · 09/07/2021 13:44

I did but deleted is because it killed my battery and isn't fit for purpose.

vodkaredbullgirl · 09/07/2021 13:45

Have never downloaded it.

Pumpkinbrew · 09/07/2021 13:46

I've never had it

Cavalierqueen · 09/07/2021 13:47

We have a great app where I live. Yes it does drain the battery but just charge more often. Without gold status showing you are vaccinated, or green showing you are clear if you can't be vaccinated, you can't enter shopping malls or any public area. Vaccine refuses have to have a PCR less than 7 days old, also in the app. I don't get the fuss if the app is good, but then I also don't believe I will be a robot when 5g kicks in 😂

elliejjtiny · 09/07/2021 13:47

I never did. Hardly ever use a mobile so didn't see the point.

BashfulClam · 09/07/2021 13:50

I didn’t bother and DH deleted his. We wfh, have no children and barely see anyone.

Wanttocry · 09/07/2021 13:52

@Cavalierqueen

We have a great app where I live. Yes it does drain the battery but just charge more often. Without gold status showing you are vaccinated, or green showing you are clear if you can't be vaccinated, you can't enter shopping malls or any public area. Vaccine refuses have to have a PCR less than 7 days old, also in the app. I don't get the fuss if the app is good, but then I also don't believe I will be a robot when 5g kicks in 😂
Where you live you can’t be vaccinated without green status on an app? What about people who don’t have smart phones? My dad’s parents share an old Nokia between them, and it’s rarely turned on.
Wanttocry · 09/07/2021 13:53

@Cavalierqueen oh no, I read that wrong about being vaccinated.
But my question about people with smart phones still stands.

Picklypickles · 09/07/2021 13:53

I never got it either, my phone doesn't seem to have a lot of storage space so I can't download any more apps, I've only got messenger on it!

Comefromaway · 09/07/2021 13:54

I can't download it, my phone is too old. I think its unreliable and inaccurate.

I always give my details when required.

lactofree · 09/07/2021 13:55

I don't have it

Heyyeahyouwiththesadface · 09/07/2021 13:55

My phone is too old to be able to download it

Rothko2929 · 09/07/2021 13:55

I had it and deleted it. So that makes me much worse.

Topseyt · 09/07/2021 13:56

You aren't bad at all. I did download it but I rarely have my bluetooth turned on as it is both a security risk and it drains my phone battery faster than I like. So it is almost never scanning.

It is useless anyway and having it or abiding by what it says if it does ping you is advisory only. Like many people, I have no wish to be told what to do by a stupid app on my phone so I am likely to delete it soon. Some people have already done so.

If I have to check in to a venue I just hold my phone out at the QR code and pretend to scan it.

Cavalierqueen · 09/07/2021 13:56

The people whose phones were not compatible (the worker from India and Nepal who MN strive to protect) were provided with a new phone. Anyone else just had to bloody buy one and use it. I work with possibly the tightest man. He has a house in Sandbanks and kids at private school. He earns at least £12,000 a month tax free which he sends home and lives on 50 a month thanks to the free housing and meals. He applied for the phone and we were so pleased when he was declined.

Basil2021 · 09/07/2021 13:57

I never downloaded it. If I am in contact with someone who catches covid they’ll tell me. I don’t want to get pinged by walking past some random person for 10 seconds in the supermarket.