New covid contact tracing app now available

[dementedpixie]

protect.scot

Just had this sent to me from another group. Dutifully downloaded

Absolutely fair enough explanation- helpful for me to understand why people might need to use it. If I’m honest, I now understand its functionality a bit better from your explanation than I have done from others.

@Botanyboss my last message wasn’t in response to you. Calling my response dangerous, where it’s my free choice to download the app (isn’t it? Or is it a government-issued app?) does not help the discussion.

I won’t be downloading any gov produced app. Especially as the Scottish Clinical advisor Jason Leitch admitted in Federation of Small Business seminar yesterday (and is quoted in The Times) that “our current tests are a bit rubbish”. People are being given false positives because the test is also picking up dead Covid cells which are no longer infectious.
So your App might make you isolate because you were near someone showing positive, who is in fact, negative and you are not at risk.

The app doesn't 'make' anyone isolate. It just tells you if you've been in close contact with a person who has tested positive.

Yes, but if are then not going to act on that information and isolate, why bother having the app in the first place?

Ok well that's your choice I guess.. 😕 If you tested positive for Covid would you not add it to the app so any others who've been close to you know?

PCR tests detect the DNA of the pathogen (eg. virus or bacteria) they are looking for. Irrespective of whether that DNA comes from live or dead virus a PCR positive test indicates that you have that virus in your nose. All the indications are that this virus causes disease if present in the respiratory system. Clinicians discussing false positives from dead virus DNA are not saying that person did not have an infection, they are saying that you are in the first days of recovery where your body is successfully killing the virus. With all this talk of long Covid symptoms perhaps this is useful knowledge to have?
No medical tests are binary because they are measuring a biological process, for simplicity the medical profession report results as either positive or negative. In truth, a PCR test gives a result, there has to be a cut off line below which is negative and above which is positive. No biological test is 100% accurate I’m sure the medical profession is using tests which are as close as possible and we just have to live with that.

I'm not using public transport, am in and out of shops in less than 15 minutes, and sit outside of cafes.

I'm not going to ping anyone am I ? Or am I missing something.

I agree it's a good idea if you are out there mixing.

I'm in two minds. I can see it being useful if you gou out.

I have been out 4 times since March, it is great. I don't see much point.
I'm not sure I want to give the SNP a way to track me.
I don't agree with different, incompatible apps for different areas.

I agree it's a good idea if you are out there mixing
Or if you're working or have DCs at school or ever go shopping. There will be very few people who aren't in contact with others at all.

... It's an NHS app taylornats.

I have downloaded it but I'm not convinced it will make much difference. People can chose to ignore it. I don't go anywhere but DH is an essential worker. He's not keen on downloading it though.

ScotsLassie1 then why is it a different app from the English one? Why would the NHS build two apps both of which fail to tackle people crossing the border?

Is nhs scotland not separate from nhs England? They have their own websites too

Yes. The English Gov spent millions on one which wasn't fit for purpose so binned. Now the head of that fiasco is head of the now privatised, ex Public Health England (also wife to Tory MP.)
Of course, the English Gov were offered the same as what Scotland 's put in place but turned it down.

I'm not sure I want to give the SNP a way to track me.

The app doesn't track you.

It is an NHS Scotland app, "the SNP" don't have access to it.

If you download it will explain how it works, where and how encrypted keys of phones you have been near are held and for how long, before asking if you want to activate or not.

When I'm shopping I'm in constant motion and not particularly near anyone. (Browsing and trying things on for size is so 2019!)

It's useful for public transport and if you spend time inside public venues in one spot: restaurant, pub, office.

I was deciding whether or not to get it but it turns out it’s a moot point anyway as my phone is too old (perfectly functional iphone so not exactly ancient!). I think a lot of people are having the same issue, and of course many older people (the most at risk demographic) don’t have smartphones at all, so I do wonder how much help this can really be.

Think I read it was compatible with iPhone 6s and above? I have an iPhone 5SE which came out after the 6 and it works on.

If everyone who can download does, those who can't will get a benefit through them.

I don't really understand why people wouldn't download this if they are able. It's anonymous, and it doesn't force you to isolate. All it does is give you information - which then ideally would lead you to choose to self isolate, but if not, at the very least you may choose to be more cautious about your contacts for a few weeks.

Cdtaylor, the SNP doesn't track you with the app.

I think my view depends on the tech. It’s supposed only to ping if it’s a close contact for fifteen minutes or more, but I worry it will pick up further and shorter. Potential nightmare of pinging!

@WouldBeGood

I think my view depends on the tech. It’s supposed only to ping if it’s a close contact for fifteen minutes or more, but I worry it will pick up further and shorter. Potential nightmare of pinging!

The app is designed for 15mins and within 2m. The 15min won't be a problem,.

Measuring distance over Bluetooth is a potential problem for all (most?) of the apps globally, but not enough of a problem or reason to stop it being another tool to help in controlling the virus and helping us get back to closer to normal, but only if enough people download and use.

Yeah, @WeAllHaveWings, it’s not this app specifically, but I don’t fancy having isolate for two weeks if someone in a cafe or restaurant I’m in tests positive