Virus tracing app divides community
OPINION is split over the release of the coronavirus app to help contract tracing COVID-19.
The COVIDSafe app is designed to help health officials identify people who have come into contact with somebody infected with the disease.
But Member for Kennedy Bob Katter called the app “Orwellian”.
“My generation had 1984 and Brave New World,” Mr Katter said.
“China has one CCTV camera for every three people – that is Big Brother watching. “That society terrifies me. “We have to balance whether the cure is worse than the curse. We are reaching that point now.”
Nationals backbencher Barnaby Joyce won’t download the app until he receives a briefing from the responsible minister.
Member for Cairns Michael Healy said he had downloaded the app and appealed for residents to do the same.
“We are appealing to the critical mass of the community,” he said.
The Rural Doctors Association of Australia has also supported the technology.
“The focus is on minimising outbreaks,” Dr Adam Coltzau, clinical lead of the COVID Rural and Remote Response, said.
In a closely split result, just over half of Cairns Post readers polled indicated they would not download the app.
But nationally more than 1.9 million people have already taken up the app.
The Federal Government’s goal is 40 per cent of the population.
The Cairns and Hinterland area currently has five active cases of COVID -19.
Queensland’s chief health officer, Dr Jeannette Young, said a Cairns resident had tested positive to coronavirus exposure overnight Sunday.
The result followed serology testing. “They have since recovered and there is no need for them now to be in isolation,” Tropical Public Health Services, Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service director Dr Richard Gair said.
“Serology tests are not generally available at present. They are only used for certain patients when there is a public health reason,” he said.
A serology test indicates past exposure to COVID-19.
“Serology is something that has happened,” Mr Healy said.
“My greatest concern is any evidence of community transmission.
“We need to keep our testing up.”