I’m more comfortable about easing the lockdown thanks to technology
As soon as I heard the app was launching on the Isle of Wight first, I saw it as a real opportunity to get things going. I was surprised at how enthusiastic I was, and talking to others there’s been a similar response. The only challenge initially was finding it in the app store.
Some people might be worried about the idea, but there’s nothing that’s made me feel that way. I’m naturally a bit of a libertarian but it’s incredibly limited information that you give, especially when I think how much Facebook knows about me.
It’s really very easy to use. It asks “how are you feeling today?” If you click on “I feel unwell”, then it would take you through some questions. If you don’t click on that, it says there’s no need to do anything right now. It gives you a link through to the NHS coronavirus page and there’s a separate section to click on if you’re a healthcare worker, as they’re telling healthcare workers to turn off Bluetooth when they put on their PPE.
I haven’t been pinged at all and I don’t know anyone who has. Only if it’s found that someone has got the virus do you get a second message. I’m the headmaster at a school on the island and my worry was about malicious reports, but there are people behind it, so there’s the chance to check and verify the actual report.
The phrase they use is that you have to have “meaningful contact” with people. If you literally walk past somebody, that’s not going to trigger it. As a teacher, the app makes me feel more comfortable about starting up and easing the lockdown.
It’s gone down really well and there’s been an excitement that we can do our bit. I think it’s very simple to use, it doesn’t seem to use too much battery life and I’m reassured there are humans working behind it. I will be carrying on using it, and the more we find out in this trial on the Isle of Wight, the less problems there’ll be when it’s rolled out nationally.
‘It’s gone down really well and there’s been an excitement that we can do our bit’