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Original poster

Is anybody else actively avoiding being tracked and traced?

322 replies

Asterion · 09/10/2020 19:54

I am actively avoiding anywhere that tracks and traces. Aside from having DC at school, which obvs I have no control over, we don't go anywhere (pub, restaurant etc) where they would need to take our details.

Reason being, I don't want to be at the mercy of someone who may have rocked up to that place and is now infected. It's more to do with the absolute balls-ache of having to self-isolate than a desperate fear of Covid, although you can never tell how you would get it.

Anyone else avoiding T&T?

OP posts:
oxydrive73 · 09/10/2020 20:17

I'm going to be unpopular but I leave my details nowhere if I'm asked to fill a form in I give fake details. No way am I staying in because Joe Blogs has a positive test. I won't have been near him because I socially distance. If someone close to me got it, I would, of course, self-isolate but no way am I filling a form or downloading an app.

escourtie · 09/10/2020 20:19

@damnthatanxiety

Good. I'm glad you are staying away. I don't want people like you in society.
What a nasty thing too say!!!!!!!!!
StayonCourse · 09/10/2020 20:20

Minimising, not completely avoiding, only because I can't afford to self isolate again. I was identified as a close contact at work and have used up my sick pay!

Waxonwaxoff0 · 09/10/2020 20:20

I'm only leaving my details if I'm asked to. Not all places are doing it despite now being a legal requirement.

No way am I downloading the app.

PleasantVille · 09/10/2020 20:21

I'm not sure I really understand this, you're choosing not to go to places where you might be at risk but not to avoid the risk simply to avoid having to check in.

Is that right? It's entirely up to you if you go out, I'm just not quite getting the issue here.

herethereandeverywhere · 09/10/2020 20:22

A family member has just confirmed she will be deleting the app. Apparently it told her to self-isolate for a week (does it do this?!) and she is only paid statutory sick pay for the time off. She cannot afford further time off so is removing it.
I should add she is very risk averse, has been forensic about following the rules but can not afford to lose further pay.
Surely there must be lots of people like this?
I have been refused entrance to several places unless I download the app and check in. Felt very Big Brother.

BigBadVoodooHat · 09/10/2020 20:22

@oxydrive73

I'm going to be unpopular but I leave my details nowhere if I'm asked to fill a form in I give fake details. No way am I staying in because Joe Blogs has a positive test. I won't have been near him because I socially distance. If someone close to me got it, I would, of course, self-isolate but no way am I filling a form or downloading an app.
Run and hide!!!! Damnthatanxiety is currently organising a firing squad for you! Shock
CrappleUmble · 09/10/2020 20:24

@herethereandeverywhere

A family member has just confirmed she will be deleting the app. Apparently it told her to self-isolate for a week (does it do this?!) and she is only paid statutory sick pay for the time off. She cannot afford further time off so is removing it. I should add she is very risk averse, has been forensic about following the rules but can not afford to lose further pay. Surely there must be lots of people like this? I have been refused entrance to several places unless I download the app and check in. Felt very Big Brother.
Yes, of course there will be people like that when we live in a society where millions will lose income if they have to isolate. It's inevitable.
Lemons1571 · 09/10/2020 20:24

Yes.

No app here. Go hardly anywhere where you have to leave details. Now wfh, so barely leave the house tbh!

I can’t get my head around the “can’t do right for doing wrong” element of it. You get fined if you don’t take your child to school and you also get fined if you break isolation to take them (if you are a contact but your child isn’t). I just can’t get into all that, it’s too much.

I remember the police stopping all cars driving out of my (very middle class compliant) town during lockdown, and asking what / why the journey. Turning people around if their reason for driving in that direction wasn’t good enough. Yet at the same time, the police were told not to enforce in areas of large cities where their presence might incite riots. I feel like an easy target.

And then last week I read that the police have been instructed not to download the app. Presumably because doing so would result in too many police isolating and not enough left to work.

I also don’t trust what t&t and the app decide. If I know I’ve been with someone at close quarters and then they test positive in the time frame then fair enough. But some nameless faceless entity deciding for me that I was too close to X when I don’t even know who X is and am certain that I haven’t been close to anyone at all?

I just can’t go there.

Jessuk86 · 09/10/2020 20:24

I songs have the app my phones battery drains too quickly anyway will get it when I upgrade as easier than having to write details etc. I get that people are not wanting to go out as much and that’s fine but I am enjoying being able to eat out with friends and family as long as they are comfortable too also in doing this I hope we are doing a little bit to help the economy. I am fortunate that I can wfh and my OH also can we have preschool age children so self isolating and working with them at home will be challenging if we had too but 2 weeks in the bigger scheme of things really isn’t the end of the world.

Original poster
Asterion · 09/10/2020 20:25

@PleasantVille

I'm not sure I really understand this, you're choosing not to go to places where you might be at risk but not to avoid the risk simply to avoid having to check in.

Is that right? It's entirely up to you if you go out, I'm just not quite getting the issue here.

There's no issue. I was asking if anyone else is doing that too.
OP posts:
PracticingPerson · 09/10/2020 20:25

Yes basically, I almost can't see how I could be a contact of anyone as I keep 2m apart almost all of the time and only meet up outside.

I haven't had to leave my details anywhere, except at work, but we use single offices so even if a colleague tests positive, I won't be a contact.

So just school to throw a spanner in the works!

LeanishMachine · 09/10/2020 20:25

If, for example, I leave my phone in a locker, next to another phone of someone who subsequently tested positive, would it tell me I need to isolate, despite the fact thatvshe was playing badminton while in was on the running track? As I understand it there's no questions asked and you don't get told who you're supposed to have been in contact with to dispute it. No, I'm not getting involved in that.

NorthDowns · 09/10/2020 20:26

@oxydrive73 me too!
I know loads of people who are of the same opinion also.

WorkingItOutAsIGo · 09/10/2020 20:27

No I am not avoiding it because I understand that we all have to work together to manage this thing. So I happily leave my details.

BigBadVoodooHat · 09/10/2020 20:28

@PleasantVille

I'm not sure I really understand this, you're choosing not to go to places where you might be at risk but not to avoid the risk simply to avoid having to check in.

Is that right? It's entirely up to you if you go out, I'm just not quite getting the issue here.

I don’t think having to check in is what is giving the OP pause for thought. It’s the fact of having to self-isolate in the event that you drank a coffee near someone who later tests positive.

I’m exactly the same As the OP. I tend not to go anywhere where I need to check in, I don’t eat out, go to cafes, shops, etc, not through fear of catching anything, but because I’d rather not have to put myself under house arrest for a fortnight if the notoriously glitchy app decides I should.

ChikiTIKI · 09/10/2020 20:28

What you're doing is totally fine. Just like tax avoidance.

Tax evasion however. Not OK. Just like t&t evasion might not be morally OK.

I'm doing the same as you. Not on purpose. Just don't really get out anymore.

dementedma · 09/10/2020 20:28

There is no way I am downloading a govt tracking app onto my phone. I socially distance, give my details in cafés if asked, but I refuse to be told to self isolate for two weeks because someone sitting on the other side of the room.has a (possibly false) positive test.

PleasantVille · 09/10/2020 20:29

@oxydrive73

I'm going to be unpopular but I leave my details nowhere if I'm asked to fill a form in I give fake details. No way am I staying in because Joe Blogs has a positive test. I won't have been near him because I socially distance. If someone close to me got it, I would, of course, self-isolate but no way am I filling a form or downloading an app.
Unless I've totally misunderstood you don't automatically have to isolate simply because you were in the same venue as a positive case unless you're a close contact

Isn't that how it works?

WoobyWoo · 09/10/2020 20:29

I haven’t downloaded the app yet as haven’t been anywhere that’s required it. I go to school twice a day, wfh, go to the supermarket very occasionally as I get a delivery, the local fields for dc sports, out for a run or bike ride, that’s it really. I wouldn’t object to downloading it if I did have to for something but so far haven’t needed to.

LolaSmiles · 09/10/2020 20:29

I'm also avoiding places that want me to check in and I don't have the app.

I don't have to check in at work (school) and the government has said I can be within 2m of students for hours every day as it's only socially distancing 'if possible', but if I went to a cafe and checked in I'd be expected to have a fortnight off work just in case someone who might not have been in the same room or floor as me has tested positive. If keeping a 2m distance almost none of the time is considered acceptable at work, then it's unacceptable to me to be told I need to isolate and set a fortnight of cover work for my students when not coming into close contact with someone.

Original poster
Asterion · 09/10/2020 20:30

@WorkingItOutAsIGo

No I am not avoiding it because I understand that we all have to work together to manage this thing. So I happily leave my details.
I left my details in one place, and then realised the implications. Not going somewhere like that again!

That is my way of "managing this thing".

OP posts:
Pinkfluffyunicornsdancing · 09/10/2020 20:31

The app means nothing anyway. I know someone who was contacted by the app to self isolate because of a positive case at work, via the app.
Their workplace insisted the app isn't legally binding and they have to go to work. So if isolation via the app can be dismissed without a fine then what's the point.
Their workplace stated that if contacted via email or telephone call then they will be required to isolate and work from home. But because it's the app, they take sap or holiday or go into the office.

EskSmith · 09/10/2020 20:31

I don't trust the app and won't go to places where you have to leave your details. I would of course comply if I had been in close contact with someone identified as being positive.

Notselfish · 09/10/2020 20:31

Good. I'm glad you are staying away. I don't want people like you in society.

The most hilarious comment I've ever read on mumsnet. Please come back and explain what you meant.

Yes op I am actively avoiding being tracked and traced. We've all just had to isolate due to my son catching Covid. Wouldn't be worth the hassle of having to isolate just to go for a meal or to a pub. It's only absolutely essential activities for us.

It's going to be a very long quiet winter.