NHS Covid 19 App

[kalidarkone]

We’re supposed to remember to switch off contact tracing when we get to work. I know I’ll either forget to switch it off at work, or forget to switch it on outside work

Why would you switch it off at work?

 

[Orang Utan]

Why would you switch it off at work?

We are told it will trigger too many points and staff will then have to isolate more!

 

[LDC]

We are told it will trigger too many points and staff will then have to isolate more!

Huh? isn't that the point?

 

[Orang Utan]

Huh? isn't that the point?

I know, right. I’m leaving it on, if only so I can get two weeks off work soon

 

[campanula]

Christ, I have barely worked out how to use a smart phone (which is definitely not smart in my hands). I have one app on it (weather) and some birdsong thing. Have no idea what any of this means. Am I going to get banned from the local Tesco if I don't have a phone to wave? Seriously, this is all quite worrisome to the (tiny) percentage of us who have not jumped aboard the tech train.

 

[xenon]

Christ, I have barely worked out how to use a smart phone (which is definitely not smart in my hands). I have one app on it (weather) and some birdsong thing. Have no idea what any of this means. Am I going to get banned from the local Tesco if I don't have a phone to wave? Seriously, this is all quite worrisome to the (tiny) percentage of us who have not jumped aboard the tech train.

Someone will correct but AFAIK, you don't have to check in, using a QR code or otherwise, in shops.

It's more for hospitality venues, event venues, that sort of thing. If someone hasn't got a capable smart phone, these type of venues have to take their details manually or turn you away. (Which would be a bit dafd.)

 

[Cid]

I know, right. I’m leaving it on, if only so I can get two weeks off work soon

This is the guidance for the limited situations where it shouldn’t be used

Should I use the NHS COVID-19 app while I'm at work?

It's important you use the app at all times, including while at work, except if you:

• store your phone in a locker while you're working or are involved in a leisure activity, like swimming
• are already protected by a Perspex (or equivalent) screen
• are a health and care worker and are wearing medical grade PPE, such as a surgical mask, in a clinical setting

In most of these situations, you're already protected, so it is highly unlikely that you would catch the virus. If your phone is not with you, use the ‘pause’ function on the app so that the contact tracing part doesn’t work. Or, you could switch your phone off . If you forget, you might get an alert because an infected person was near your phone when your phone wasn’t with you.

Might be an idea to point this out to your employers, perhaps liberally accompanied by pursed lips and words like ‘liability’.

 

[andysays]

We’re supposed to remember to switch off contact tracing when we get to work. I know I’ll either forget to switch it off at work, or forget to switch it on outside work

Why would you be told to switch it off at work? ETA I see this has already been asked and dealt with

One of my colleagues discovered this afternoon that the App had been installed on his work phone without his knowledge or permission. Those of us who also have work phones checked and it appears it's been installed on all of them. Still haven't had a chance to have a proper look, but doing it without notifying us seems a bit off...

 

[Orang Utan]

This is the guidance for the limited situations where it shouldn’t be used



Might be an idea to point this out to your employers, perhaps liberally accompanied by pursed lips and words like ‘liability’.

We’re supposed to store our phones in a locker while at work, but no one does.

 

[Cid]

Why would you be told to switch it off at work? ETA I see this has already been asked and dealt with

One of my colleagues discovered this afternoon that the App had been installed on his work phone without his knowledge or permission. Those of us who also have work phones checked and it appears it's been installed on all of them. Still haven't had a chance to have a proper look, but doing it without notifying us seems a bit off...

This also not in line with guidance I think. Supposed to be installed only on the phone you have with you most of the time.

Category · COVID-19 app support

faq.covid19.nhs.uk

 

[Cid]

We’re supposed to store our phones in a locker while at work, but no one does.

Also in the guidance:

If your employer’s policy is to store phones while you're at work, you should speak to your employer to see if they will review their policy on storing phones. If this is not possible, and in the case of sports or other activities which mean that you are away from your phone, the ‘pause’ function should be enabled.

 

[Orang Utan]

We’re supposed to store our phones in a locker while at work, but no one does.

This is really fucking me off the more I think about it. We’re in constant contact with the public and we’re supposed to keep our phones in our locker and/or switch off contact tracing when we’re at work, so as not to set off too many trigger points. It would not be unreasonable to infer from this that my employer cares more about keeping things running than about its employees’ health and safety, no?

 

[andysays]

This also not in line with guidance I think. Supposed to be installed only on the phone you have with you most of the time.

Category · COVID-19 app support

faq.covid19.nhs.uk

Thanks for the link.

So can someone confirm that in order for it to work, it's not enough for the App to be installed, it also has to be activated in some way and switched on/left running?

 

[andysays]

This is really fucking me off the more I think about it. We’re in constant contact with the public and we’re supposed to keep our phones in our locker and/or switch off contact tracing when we’re at work, so as not to set off too many trigger points. It would not be unreasonable to infer from this that my employer cares more about keeping things running than about its employees’ health and safety, no?

I think that would be perfectly reasonable, especially when combined with some of the other things you've posted recently about what your employer has instructed you to do.

Has any of these measures been overseen by a union?

 

[Cid]

Thanks for the link.

So can someone confirm that in order for it to work, it's not enough for the App to be installed, it also has to be activated in some way and switched on/left running?

No it doesn’t, asked upthread platinumsage posted a link iirc. You’ll also see in the guidance it needs to be deactivated by turning off tracking in the app, or turning off the phone.

 

[Cid]

So two important things on that I suppose. 1) employer can’t make you download. And 2) one person, one phone. So for anyone whose work phone isn’t their main phone, installing on work phone is not advised.

 

[platinumsage]

Thanks for the link.

So can someone confirm that in order for it to work, it's not enough for the App to be installed, it also has to be activated in some way and switched on/left running?

Once installed it needs to be opened and set up for it to start working (e.g. accepting the T&C, entering your postcode). Thereafter it runs all the time regardless of whether the app is open, unless you go into the app and use the button to turn it off. It makes it very clear as soon as you open the app whether it's currently on or off.

 

[blameless77]

Why would you be told to switch it off at work? ETA I see this has already been asked and dealt with

One of my colleagues discovered this afternoon that the App had been installed on his work phone without his knowledge or permission. Those of us who also have work phones checked and it appears it's been installed on all of them. Still haven't had a chance to have a proper look, but doing it without notifying us seems a bit off...

but it’s a work phone, so doesn’t belong. To you?

 

[TopCat]

We’re supposed to remember to switch off contact tracing when we get to work. I know I’ll either forget to switch it off at work, or forget to switch it on outside work

Why are you supposed to turn it off at work?

 

[TopCat]

Sorry this has been answered. Shit employer.

 

[andysays]

but it’s a work phone, so doesn’t belong. To you?

No, it doesn't belong to me, but it would seem to me to be sensible for my employer to notify everyone that they're doing this, if only because, as discussed above, if I don't activate it, it won't actually work.

 

[Cid]

No, it doesn't belong to me, but it would seem to me to be sensible for my employer to notify everyone that they're doing this, if only because, as discussed above, if I don't activate it, it won't actually work.

Do you keep it on you outside work?

 

[andysays]

Do you keep it on you outside work?

I bring it home with me, but take it out of my pocket and leave it at home overnight or over the weekend.

So if I go out this evening or tomorrow I will have my personal phone with me, but not the work one.

Sounds like I should download the App to my personal phone and use that, and not bother to activate it on the work one.

 

[gentlegreen]

This app has made me realise I'm probably wasting battery leaving my WIFi switched on when I'm away from home or work ...

 

[LDC]

We've been advised (healthcare) that it should be turned off at work as we're wearing PPE, so don't need notifications. Heard from GP friend that's what they've been officially advised too. Does make sense, stops people self-isolating when it's not needed, even if been in contact with positive case as PPE used. Is that the same with you Orang Utan ?

 

[souljacker]

This app has made me realise I'm probably wasting battery leaving my WIFi switched on when I'm away from home or work ...

Not really or not enough to worry about. Battery use is only really affected by it constantly connecting and reconnecting. If it's found some WiFi then it uses small amounts of battery. If it hasn't then it doesn't scan too often and uses various techniques to keep it's battery use low.

 

[gentlegreen]

I just installed it for a laugh ...actually it looks fun in a creepy kind of way ... I may go and hang out where there are people ...
I hope someone manages to hack it ....

 

[sheothebudworths]

We've been advised (healthcare) that it should be turned off at work as we're wearing PPE, so don't need notifications. Heard from GP friend that's wjhat they've been officially advised the same too. Does make sense, stops people self-isolating when it's not needed, even if been in contact with positive case as PPE used. Is that the same with you Orang Utan ?

It's in Cid 's post earlier -

Should I use the NHS COVID-19 app while I'm at work?

It's important you use the app at all times, including while at work, except if you:

• store your phone in a locker while you're working or are involved in a leisure activity, like swimming
• are already protected by a Perspex (or equivalent) screen
• are a health and care worker and are wearing medical grade PPE, such as a surgical mask, in a clinical setting

In most of these situations, you're already protected, so it is highly unlikely that you would catch the virus. If your phone is not with you, use the ‘pause’ function on the app so that the contact tracing part doesn’t work. Or, you could switch your phone off . If you forget, you might get an alert because an infected person was near your phone when your phone wasn’t with you.

 

[Orang Utan]

I think that would be perfectly reasonable, especially when combined with some of the other things you've posted recently about what your employer has instructed you to do.

Has any of these measures been overseen by a union?

Yes

 

[LDC]

It's in Cid 's post earlier -

Should I use the NHS COVID-19 app while I'm at work?

It's important you use the app at all times, including while at work, except if you:

• store your phone in a locker while you're working or are involved in a leisure activity, like swimming
• are already protected by a Perspex (or equivalent) screen
• are a health and care worker and are wearing medical grade PPE, such as a surgical mask, in a clinical setting

In most of these situations, you're already protected, so it is highly unlikely that you would catch the virus. If your phone is not with you, use the ‘pause’ function on the app so that the contact tracing part doesn’t work. Or, you could switch your phone off . If you forget, you might get an alert because an infected person was near your phone when your phone wasn’t with you.

Missed that, cheers.