Virginia's the first state to use new COVID-19 app from Apple, Google CORONAVIRUS

[underpants]

RICHMOND, Va. – Virginia has rolled out a smartphone app to automatically notify people if they might have been exposed to the coronavirus, becoming the first U.S. state to use new pandemic technology created by Apple and Google.

The Covidwise app was available on the tech giants’ app stores Wednesday ahead of an expected announcement from Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam.

“We’re using every possible approach to fight this virus and keep Virginians healthy,” Northam said in a statement provided to AP that encouraged all Virginians to download the app. “The COVIDWISE app is completely anonymous, protects personal privacy, and gives you an additional tool to protect yourself and your community.”

Once the pin is submitted, Stover said the app will notify other users of potential exposure, keeping the identity of the person who tested positive anonymous. He said the app notifies ‘close contacts’ using Bluetooth keys or ‘anonymous tokens’ that can determine which phones were within 6 feet of a positive case for 15 minutes or more–criteria based on CDC guidelines.


https://www.wavy.com/news/health/coronavirus/virginias-the-first-state-to-use-new-covid-19-app-from-apple-google/

[NCDem47]

1. Gosh, I don't mean to be a Debbie Downer, but how does this work when testing is crap?

If tested, days and weeks to get results.

And then there's "teh app is only as good as people will use it."

It's a step in the right direction I guess.

[underpants]

2. Yeah there are a lot of steps here

Like people registering themselves as positive. I’m downloading it since I’m the only in the house that goes anywhere. Found out today two more weeks and then we are all back in the office full time - no more teleworking.

[Initech]

3. And maybe I'm too paranoid, but I think this is going to make everyone suspicious of everyone else.

We're definitely venturing into uncharted territory when it comes to surveillance.

[underpants]

4. I heard a senior VDH person on the radio

This has been done in Germany and another country. A random ID number is assigned to the phone that changes every few minutes. We use something like this to log into our VPN network at work. Using Bluetooth any phones that both have this app talk to each other.

Pretty simple app - first screen tells you if you were near an exposure. Second screen allows you to mark yourself as having tested positive. Third screen let’s you notify VDH if you test positive or if you get an exposure notification.