Are you still using the Covid app?

[TuesdayRuby]

Just that really. Who’s still got the app and is acting on its advice?
I deleted the app a few months ago as I hadn’t used it for ages (or had any changes in status etc) but had to re-add it recently to get in a venue and it’s just buzzed saying I have been in contact with someone recently who’s tested positive! I haven’t been with anyone outside my bubble since Friday so it’s so frustrating getting this notification when have no symptoms and I’m also fully vaccinated. I know lots of people who don’t use the app anymore so just wondered what the consensus was on here!

Handily, can can ‘check in’ with the app & then immediately cancel the check in.. I also have tracking off.. but I’ve never has anywhere tell me I have to do it & I’m out and about doing stuff with the kids every weekend. I’m on holiday in Wales at the mo & they are FAR stricter here than England but still no-one has told me to scan the code. But they take every single member of your parties name & number.. I went to an outdoor cafe on the seafront for a takeout bacon sarnie yesterday & even they took my name & number! I took my sandwich & went to the beach. I certainly wouldn’t be isolating if they contacted me! They also still queue for the shops here. Not done that in England for a long time!

I used it a month ago when out for a meal- I also used it last October when out for a meal, and having my eyebrows done. Apart from that it's not been needed.

I'd be happy to use it, but either it's not been asked for, or I do t get out much, I'm not sure which one it is x

I've just checked the app and I have contact tracing turned off- we were told to turn it off when we are at work as we don't keep our phones on us.

It's rubbish and venues can't insist you have it.

I have it for scanning into places but have the tracking part turned off. Can't face being told to isolate for spurious reasons.

Never had it. I happily check in manually where necessary and give my name and number, e.g. pubs & restaurants. Never needed to for simply shopping.

I have it. But have turned the contact tracing off. Phone in locker at work so could get an incorrect ping.
I’ve had 5 days of isolation that I wasn’t entirely convinced about after a trip to the vets where I wasn’t near anyone for 15 minutes or longer. 🤷‍♀️
Someone I know is on their fourth isolation due to the app.
It’s not fit for purpose.

If you are vaccinated, it’s ridiculous. Of course turn it off. In other countries, vaccinated people who come into contact with COVID positive are not even considered as contacts.
Better still, delete it

I never had it. It felt like an intrusion too far for me.

And @PinkSparklyPussyCat I lived in London until recently, I never had a problem getting in anywhere. Most places didn't bother at all, and were just glad to see people come. Anywhere that did want to know was happy to take my details manually. I was in and out of restaurants all the time and was never contacted once.

I'm in Scotland now and the system here is a bit different. All venues display a QR code and you scan it to open a web page -- no app needed. You check out of venues here too, which makes more sense to me.

Nope

I had it briefly last summer. It was soon deleted due to constantly sending aggressive red notifications to tell me to put blue tooth on. I was at home most of the time.

Can I ask a question?

I was a good citizen and did my 5 days in the house after my ping. If I had left the house with the phone switched on and scanning would the App do anything? I guess if I went out of my post code as that’s all it knows.

A question, if I may.

I put the App on my phone recently to 'check in' to the odd place.

I am completely unfamiliar with how it works, so can someone tell me where you can turn contact tracing etc off? And what the thing about 'cancelling' it immediately after checking in to somewhere is?

I work in a hospital and could name a few people who have managed to do nothing but isolate 🤔 for months. Day back at work, then off 'isolating'; day back, and repeat.

I have no idea how they do it, but it's working for them!

I am, within my team of 20, literally the only person who hasn't had a day off due to Covid related reasons (shielding/isolating/with Covid/traced/symptoms/vax side effects) whatsoever since March 20!

I am completely unfamiliar with how it works, so can someone tell me where you can turn contact tracing etc off? And what the thing about 'cancelling' it immediately after checking in to somewhere is?

When I go into the app, there's a list of menu options - Check in to a venue, Check symptoms etc. The last one is Manage contact tracing and you can switch it off in there.

When you check in to a venue, a message appears in the app screen confirming this. If you scroll down on this, there's an option that says something like Incorrect Check In? Click here to cancel.

You can also go to Settings - Venue History to remove a check in I think.

@Miljea

A question, if I may.

I put the App on my phone recently to 'check in' to the odd place.

I am completely unfamiliar with how it works, so can someone tell me where you can turn contact tracing etc off? And what the thing about 'cancelling' it immediately after checking in to somewhere is?

I work in a hospital and could name a few people who have managed to do nothing but isolate 🤔 for months. Day back at work, then off 'isolating'; day back, and repeat.

I have no idea how they do it, but it's working for them!

I am, within my team of 20, literally the only person who hasn't had a day off due to Covid related reasons (shielding/isolating/with Covid/traced/symptoms/vax side effects) whatsoever since March 20!

just delete it - you don't need it to check in. or turn your bluetooth off except when you're checking in.

I work for the NHS and we have to turn off the contact tracing at work as it pings you regardless of PPE or contact time so I eventually stopped turning it back on.

I prefer to use the app to check in because it saves writing my details on the sheet or book or whatever.

No I don't really use it. I downloaded last year. I didn't find it fit for purpose tbh. I was running it on a fairly new iPhone and it wouldn't open half the time and crash. I ended up deleting it.

More recently I have downloaded it again to check into venues when asked. But I have contact tracing turned off. I don't really come into close contact with anyone, I wear a mask and sanitise. If any of my friends or family got covid they could tell me personally.

I take the virus very seriously but for me the app is pants.

My friend had a message to isolate. Then shortly after another message to say no he didn't. It was a glitch.

You don’t have to have the app, you can write your contact details down at venues. I’m in London every weekend since April, in a different restaurant, I have never been contacted.

I use it to check it but contact tracing is turned off.

I've never used it. When I go to restaurants etc I just offer to write down my contact details.

I can't be faffing with signing in with pen and paper, it's so quick with the app.
Just don't have the scanning on.

I’ve deleted it. Pointless as I’m often not in the same part of the building as my phone and it’s a pain in the arse having to switch it on and off.

I do follow other guidance.

I always offer to sign in manually in hospitality venues, and around 50% of the time they never actually come back with a form or list...

People have deleted the app as they can’t isolate. Employers are no longer as accommodating. Companies no longer give refunds if you can’t go due to isolating. The “check in” paper lists are much longer than they were last year! Usually with names such as M Hunt and Harry Bawles, and a landline number that the staff can’t check there and then.