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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

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:
HOkieCOkie · 09/07/2021 15:29

I have it but don’t use it and I’ve turned off tracking

tallduckandhandsome · 09/07/2021 15:30

I never downloaded it and played dumb when restaurants asked for it. I just gave my name and number.

MzHz · 09/07/2021 15:39

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

Genius.

Of course you’ll burn in hell fire for all eternity…

But genius all the same @Topseyt

Grin
DeadButDelicious · 09/07/2021 15:40

I have never downloaded it and won't be doing so. DH's phone is too old to run it.

warmfluffytowels · 09/07/2021 15:43

Never had it. Never signed in anywhere either as I've never been asked to.

GreenWheat · 09/07/2021 15:46

I have never had it, but then again I often go out without my phone. I have generally avoided places where I need to leave details anyway, as in my opinion no trip to a cafe or restaurant is worth the potential hassle of isolation afterwards. Close contact isolation has always been a very blunt instrument, and I am so pleased that it is being replaced with testing.

80sMum · 09/07/2021 15:46

I only download it when I know that I'm going somewhere where I will have to log in, such as a café or pub. Then I delete it about a week afterwards.
The truth is that I very rarely go anywhere. I've checked in to 3 venues in the past 12 months.
For me, "going out" usually means going outside in the open air for a walk and hopefully not meeting or seeing any other people.

NothingIsWrong · 09/07/2021 15:47

I have it but the contact tracing is off. Just to check in to venues.

notanothertakeaway · 09/07/2021 16:03

I have the app

I think it's irresponsible not to have it, and use it, if you can, so I say YABU

LST · 09/07/2021 16:04

@notanothertakeaway

I have the app

I think it's irresponsible not to have it, and use it, if you can, so I say YABU

It's not for for purpose
Crunchymum · 09/07/2021 16:08

@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 the fuck do you live?

This sounds terrifying.

Demelza82 · 09/07/2021 16:10

For all the app's flaws, it does make you a twat - it's hardly effort but I think you knew that and just wanted attention

Gingerkittykat · 09/07/2021 16:14

I've never downloaded it and am now just pretending to sign in to places. I was in Starbucks last week with two people, I would happily isolate if they were positive but I know I had only very fleeting contact while wearing a mask with other people so am not going to isolate because someone else in the same space was positive.

I WFH, the leisure centre and other places I go regularly know I have been there and would have the ability to contact me if needed.

RedMarauder · 09/07/2021 16:20

So I should be told to isolate because one of my neighbours has been in contact with Covid?

I WFH the few places I've been know my details as I have to ring up to book or they have to have them anyway.

muddyford · 09/07/2021 16:22

I've never had the app and neither has my sister, who is a senior nurse in a public-facing role. There is no provision for when you leave a venue; it presumes you were there till midnight from when you arrived, when you might have left hours before any Covid contact arrived.

Unanananana · 09/07/2021 16:40

@notanothertakeaway

I have the app

I think it's irresponsible not to have it, and use it, if you can, so I say YABU

Do you have a secure WFH job then? Because a lot of people don't and couldn't afford to take ten days off work because their next door neighbour, who they have zero direct contact with, tests positive. Do you think the app is fit for purpose?
FindingMeno · 09/07/2021 16:47

@shrunkenhead it's precisely why they downloaded it in the early days - in the hope of getting time off.
Now, of course, the novelty has well and truly worn off, and they're desperate not to get pinged.

sirfredfredgeorge · 09/07/2021 16:51

The number of downloads show less than half the population have even downloaded it, let alone still use it, it's very likely that the majority of the population have not.

Sojo88 · 09/07/2021 16:52

I use it when I am asked to but otherwise I delete it because, like others say, I don't want to have to isolate because I was within 2 metres of someone for less than 2 minutes and later they tested positive - the risk is ridiculously small in these situations.

I believe you have to have been within 2 metres of someone (who later tests positive) for at least 15 minutes for there to be any risk of infection - and how often are you that close to a stranger for that long these days?

Topseyt · 09/07/2021 17:12

@notanothertakeaway

I have the app

I think it's irresponsible not to have it, and use it, if you can, so I say YABU

I couldn't give a shit to be honest.
Avoidance · 09/07/2021 17:18

Never downloaded it and always give a fake number and name in restaurants or pretend to take a pic! Nor have I had either vaccine.

OneAlabamaReturn · 09/07/2021 17:30

I had it, but I was uneasy about it being a government app with whole thing run by the incompetent Dido Harding.

Once I deleted it, I couldn't get it back again anyway. My phone has stopped downloading apps.

I don't want to get a ' just in case' ping that means me and my family can't go anywhere for 10 days, My partner and I have both been double jabbed,

I've happily signed in at venues, but I don't think there is any reporting going on now anyway.

Like a few people have said, I have just taken a photo of the QR code so it looks like I'm checking in if that's the only sign in option.

Yerroblemom1923 · 09/07/2021 17:31

I just pretend to use the app in pubs/ bars etc. I can't afford to be off work.

OneAlabamaReturn · 09/07/2021 17:32

@Avoidance

Never downloaded it and always give a fake number and name in restaurants or pretend to take a pic! Nor have I had either vaccine.
Wow! Aren't you the ( totally irresponsible selfish ) rebel!

Go you!

(Until you get Covid and get hospitalised, then you won't be going anywhere)

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 09/07/2021 17:38

My phone is too old for it, but I've always signed in however I've been asked at places.

I'll happily wear a mask, wash my hands, follow one-way systems and number restrictions, leave my name and number, have the vaccine etc. but I'm not buying a new phone when there's nothing wrong with my old one!

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