Only 1 in 10 self-isolating after being contacted by Track and Trace

[GreenGoldRed]

Released SAGE documents show only 1 in 10 people are isolating when told to have confirmed exposure to a positive case (versus 65 % of people who said they would). Reasons given: they didn’t have symptoms, needed to get food from shop and dependent children (who they took to school etc).

Totally doesn’t surprise me. I live in a very middle class area. I know several people who have had to isolate (mainly returning from abroad) and not one has fully isolated, from going to a run, to seeing family and friends.

The number of threads where I see people saying they won’t adhere to rules, because “the government haven’t got an effective track and trace system in place”, but what do they think is an “effective system”? (I know people will say quicker results, but quicker results don’t impact on 14 day self isolation for exposure).

To me this should exemplifies the problem in this country. Lack of personal responsibility, but lots of shouting. Yes there will be people who have “good” reasons (can’t afford not to go to work), but that won’t be 90 per cent of people. People want easier answers so they shout, “ineffective track and trace” etc, but when asked to stay home for 14 days they don’t cause it’s too much of an inconvenience.

So question what does the govt do? I wonder if they reduced to 7 days (I know virus is 14 day incubation, but I am sure I read somewhere saying it would catch 90 per cent of cases) people would adhere better. Surely it’s better to get better compliance for a shorter period then barely any for 14 days?

I hope these people are being fined and if not, why not.

I think it's a nonsense. People can be asked to just because someone has said they met them outside or whatever, they just take the person's word for it...(so open to abuse)

On top of this, around 85% of cases are missed by T&T anyway.

People are advised to get tested just for some symptoms which misses many cases.

And people don't even spread it going for a walk for example. (it says you can't even leave for a walk)

On top of this, people don't have to isolate if told to by the app (but do by T%T)

The whole thing is full off errors.

I also think people will avoid testing due to the fines, now. And will avoid telling them of contacts.

I fully understand people not isolating if they can't afford to take the time off work and don't judge them at all.

The whole thing needs handing over to local authorities with appropriate funding. The whole process needs to happen much, much more quickly - results in 24 hours, contacts traced in 48.

Do it face to face and door to door, not through some vast, impersonal serco call centre.

Have people checking in on those who are isolating, not only for enforcement, but to make sure they're ok and have the support they need.

I know OP has made it look as if the need to work is not a major issue but it absolutely is. So many people's household finances are in the toilet after all these months. People will simply not comply if they can't afford to, especially as they may need to do this repeatedly. So there needs to be proper financial support for everyone who needs to isolate, not just those on qualifying benefits.

There are still too many stories of employers telling people to just get a test and come in if it's negative, when they've been told to isolate for 14 days. And of course so many people fear redundancy that it's difficult not to just do what your employer says. So there also needs to be much stronger enforcement of people's employment rights.