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Original poster

Why is the app telling people to isolate if they have been 'near' (not necessarily 'in close contact') with someone who has tested positive

49 replies

StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 07:17

I got one of the messages that flashed up and vanished, which I learned was a system test rather than a proper notice. Bad enough.
But when I looked at the FAQs it told me you should isolate if you've been 'in close contact' with someone who has since tested positive. Fair enough.
Then the question about 'what if I've been near someone who since tested positive' received the same answer!
So if I've walked past someone in tesco for a split second and they then test positive, I should isolate for 14 days?
As far as I can tell that's specific to the app and wouldn't be the official advice from test and trace. So why so different?

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 10:54

So do you think 'near' is a contact but not a close contact?

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 10:57

This is what I'm talking about by the way. The response to both the top question and the third one down is 'self isolate for 14 days'

Why is the app telling people to isolate if they have been 'near' (not necessarily 'in close contact') with someone who has tested positive
OP posts:
MissMarplesGlove · 08/10/2020 11:06

I can't be the only one confused by this

No you're not. I had a message like that flash up yesterday (I had hardly left the house since MOnday lunchtime), but nothing further. I'm assuming that if I've actually been in close contact with someone who's subsequently tested +ve for COVID, I will receive a telephone call, or an email.

But then ... I was a TalkTalk customer for years when Dido Harding was CEO, so maybe I shouldn't assume anything works logically about the NHS app ....

LindaEllen · 08/10/2020 11:12

@StealthPolarBear

And actually the system test stressed me out.
Same here!

I got one two days ago that said 'You might have been in contact with someone with covid-19. The app is calculating the level of exposure.' or something like that - can't remember word for word.

But when I opened my phone, it'd gone, and there's nothing when I open the app, and I haven't seen anything since.

So what the hell am I meant to do with that?

I live in a really high risk area so my chances of having to isolate - even though I've already bloody had it! - are high .. but my business requires me to be out and about, I'm terrified of getting 'the text' because another two weeks at home might just be the end of my business.

Xenia · 08/10/2020 11:14

I wouldn't ever get or use the app even if I had a phone that would allow me to have it.

PicsInRed · 08/10/2020 11:19

@Xenia

I wouldn't ever get or use the app even if I had a phone that would allow me to have it.
Agreed.

I remember when the tracking app was introduced in China, everyone was Hmm well how authoritarian and sinister, we would never do that here SMUG.

And yet, here we are.

It's a no from me.

SaskiaRembrandt · 08/10/2020 11:25

The thing where a notification appears but there is no advice on the app is a glitch. It's something to do with the operating system, and apparently Google and Apple are working on it. If you have been in close contact with someone who tests positive, the app will actually tell you whether you need to get a test and isolate.

Treesofwood · 08/10/2020 11:28

Just delete it, then you don't need to worry!

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 08/10/2020 11:29

@Lochroy

There are two separate things going on:
  1. Using Apple/Google tech, your phone will detect if you've been within 2m of people for 15mins+ so if they get a positive, you get the message to isolate.

This tech does NOT record where any contact took place.

  1. The QR codes are a more efficient version of leaving your name and details when you visit a place. So if there's an outbreak or someone visited who left their details manually, they can get in touch to work out if you were there at the same time.

Or at least I think that's right from what I could find as I had the same questions!

Does the QR code work if contact tracing and bluetooth are turned off?
Treesofwood · 08/10/2020 11:30

Patricia Holm
How do you think your phone measures distance? Reliable? Accurate?

Janevaljane · 08/10/2020 11:31

I've deleted it and the rest of my family don't have it.

Jocasta2018 · 08/10/2020 11:38

I disabled contact tracing on the App.... I scan in using the QR code when required.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 11:46

explanation of the flashing then vanishing messages

OP posts:
Lochroy · 08/10/2020 11:47

If you're on Facebook have a look for a post by David Bonsall on 25th September which answers a lot of queries, and frankly the government would have done well to address from the outset.

Not sure that it quite answers the OP's q on close contact vs. near though!

HarveySchlumpfenburger · 08/10/2020 12:00

I got one two days ago that said 'You might have been in contact with someone with covid-19. The app is calculating the level of exposure.' or something like that - can't remember word for word.

But when I opened my phone, it'd gone, and there's nothing when I open the app, and I haven't seen anything since.

So what the hell am I meant to do with that?

Nothing If you are supposed to self-isolate then it will be clear from the app. It would probably make it simpler if it didn’t come up with that message, but it at least it then gives you the option to choose to reduce your contacts even if you don’t isolate.

PotholePalace · 08/10/2020 12:03

I had one of the flashing messages. The only time I could have been near to someone for me than a few minutes there was a solid perspex screen between us, so no droplets and very little shared air.

I will carry on using the app because it reassures people and I'm guessing the 'big' data is useful, but I will use it cynically.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 12:21

Yep me too. I'm not isolating having been near someone with covid. If it tells me I've been in close contact clearly that's different

OP posts:
Treesofwood · 08/10/2020 12:22

Stealth How would your phone know if you were face to face or back to back in a restaurant?

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 12:36

I don't think it would.

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 15:45

Does anyone know if there's a video anywhere showing all the pop ups and what happens when you get them?

OP posts:
FizzyPink · 08/10/2020 15:59

I had a notification this morning that said “Possible COVID-19 exposure. Verifying exposure info. The app has accessed the date, duration and signal strength of this exposure.”

No idea if it’s a bug or real

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 16:01

Interesting. That's definitely different from the one I got

OP posts:
Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 08/10/2020 17:42

A guide with screenshots would be very helpful

OP posts:
cardibach · 08/10/2020 20:07

@AlwaysLatte

I'm slightly concerned about this app too. Eg I scanned the code on the door as it asked me to when I went to collect a takeaway the other day, I went in and out but I couldn't see how to check out. So how do they know that I was in there briefly and therefore not in close contact with anyone and not sitting down at a table for an hour or more? I don't want to disrupt the whole family because of it. I'm tempted to delete the app.
It’s completely obvious how to check back out. It comes up on the screen as soon as you check in...
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