"Pingdemic"

[MostlyMaple]

Forgive me if I am wrong, or being naive or whatever.

But surely if everyone deleted the NHS tracking app, the "pingdemic" we're currently in would subside?

Ready to hear I'm being unreasonable but it's just a thought if we want life to resume back to normal as quick as possible.

Of course, it would. But then those people who had been exposed and were incubating the infection wouldn't have any advance notice of it. So the likely impact would be that it would spread even faster.

I don't have the app because my phone won't run it. I sign in on paper everywhere I go (obvs with my correct details) and have taken a home test any time someone I've been with (3x) has told me they've pinged, or my partner has pinged (x1). Negative each time. So yes, I see your point!

Like a PP said, the virus would spread faster so it will probably be longer before things actually return to normal rather than just a semblance of normality for a month or so before it goes to shit again.

I’m struggling to see why you can’t immediately see this.

Well it would, but no one seems to be thinking about the fact that the media are moaning about the app pinging everyone rather than the fact this irresponsible government has let a highly infectious virus rage totally out of control. With plenty of people not double vaccinated and no shortage of double-vaxxed people getting ill, even if mildly - I know a few directly myself.

FFS. The pings aren't the problem. Infections are the problem, pings are to try and prevent that.

Yes of course it would. Its an easy way to achieve the aim. Another way would be to do a LFT every day for 10 days if you've been in close contact with someone. If its negative you can go on with your life, if its positive you isolate. This would lead to way less disruption and is what Ive been doing anyway. Im not really sure why we're not doing it this way. Cost maybe?

@Letsallscreamatthesistene

Yes of course it would. Its an easy way to achieve the aim. Another way would be to do a LFT every day for 10 days if you've been in close contact with someone. If its negative you can go on with your life, if its positive you isolate. This would lead to way less disruption and is what Ive been doing anyway. Im not really sure why we're not doing it this way. Cost maybe?

Probably because LFT are so utterly unreliable.

As is the app

The real issue is why so many people have the virus, which is entirely down to inaction by the Prime Minister. A man who is so thoughtless he had to be stopped from risking the health of the Queen.

Yeah those pings actually mean something. Why is that so difficult to understand? Or does everyone pinged apparently live in a terraced house with paper thin walls and the ping was actually from the neighbour? Or maybe you walked past someone in the street for "2 seconds".... These seem to be some of the popular but deluded explanations some people like to come up with.

It means that you could be infected so get a test and isolate.

If everyone deletes the app because pings are too inconvenient for you, what do you think will happen with the virus?? It doesn't disappear!

A % of those pinged will go on to have the virus, and then they will go out and spread it to everybody else. But oh no let’s just get infected again and transmit it everywhere cause if you delete the app you also delete covid

How is it down to the Prime Minister? If most people tested twice a week, and kept their distance, isolated when they should etc then presumably infections would fall?

I know it’s tricky; asymptomatic carriers, questions over the reliability of the LFTs but to say one man’s inaction is responsible for millions of infections seems a bit harsh.

If everyone deletes the app because pings are too inconvenient for you, what do you think will happen with the virus?? It doesn't disappear!

This. I have heard so many people say they've deleted the app recently. They think this is fine because "all the elderly and vulnerable are vaccinated" but what they can't seem to grasp is that the more the virus is allowed to spread, the more likely it is that a vaccine-resistant strain will develop. Then we really will be back to square one.

@Curiosity101

Of course, it would. But then those people who had been exposed and were incubating the infection wouldn't have any advance notice of it. So the likely impact would be that it would spread even faster.

But the government have removed every other mitigating measure so I can't particularly understand why they are keen to let the country grind to a halt by pings.

If too many people are getting pinged, either reduce the sensitivity of the app, or reduce the number of people with Covid by reintroducing some other measures.

I am not a lockdown sceptic by any means but can easily see that the disadvantages of cancelled medical treatments and empty supermarket shelves on public health.

@EmmetEmma

How is it down to the Prime Minister? If most people tested twice a week, and kept their distance, isolated when they should etc then presumably infections would fall?

I know it’s tricky; asymptomatic carriers, questions over the reliability of the LFTs but to say one man’s inaction is responsible for millions of infections seems a bit harsh.

Indeed. In fact why do we bother having a government or laws at all? If most people did the right thing, then presumably we'd have no crime?

I know it's tricky but to expect a PM and his government to actually govern seems a bit harsh.

A % of those pinged will go on to have the virus - yes, maybe 1 in every 10 or 15 people isolating. It's very low.
There are public health disadvantages to cancelled medical treatments and empty supermarket shelves too.

I completed agree, OP. I actually thinks lot of people must not mind being pinged to get a few days off work, as it is ridiculous that this is still going on now when awareness of it only being guidelines and not a legal requirement to isolate has been made much clearer to people. 🤔

I think people like the pingdemic. Week off work in lovely sunshine, yes please!

I don't know why it didn't occurred to the government when it occurred to me at the start of last month that they didn't seem to have considered what happens with isolation if loads of people are infected even if fewer are seriously ill/dying.

I think that the catch all term "ping" is used to mean BOTH:

• Being notified by the app.
• And being officially contacted by text or phone call.

I know that strictly "ping" refers to a notification from the app, but I think the "pingdemic" is not just about app related isolations iyswim. Most of the people I know who have had to isolate recently were officially contacted. They still referred to them/their kids as "being pinged" as a shorthand.

The best way to avoid being notified would be to avoid being a contact with anyone!
Ie no restaurants, leisure activities, meeting friends and family. Unfortunately this is not an option when you need to work, send dc to holiday childcare etc.

I've been pinged today. I will abide by the rules - even though they aren't enforceable by law, unlike Track and Trace.

I'm not getting a week off work, I'm a home worker. Almost everyone has told me to ignore it. My conscious wont let me.

Two LFT test both negative, no symptoms.

I'm more scared of the virus now than at any point in the last 18 months. I'm not scared of getting it (double jabbed), but what it is doing to the country. We either have to live with it or we restrict - Scientists/MP's please make your mind up.

I think people are not taking it seriously because there's no legal obligation to listen to the app and isolate should you get pinged. Work colleagues of mine have downloaded the app in the hope of getting pinged and getting 10 days off fully paid.

We have to have ours off at work (NHS) which is ridiculous, it's either a thing, or its not. So I've never even opened the app.

@chunderwunder - I disagree but your post made me laugh

@Jumpjumpjumper

We have to have ours off at work (NHS) which is ridiculous, it's either a thing, or its not. So I've never even opened the app.

Agreed. Also an NHS worker here and to be told to have it off at work (where we're most likely to come into contact with COVID, but its ok because of the vaccination and hand washing) but expected to have it on elsewhere (where the vaccination and hand washing are still a thing) is ridiculous. We either need it, or dont.

@sashagabadon

I think people like the pingdemic. Week off work in lovely sunshine, yes please!

It will destroy small businesses.