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A thread on a COVID tracing app for AB…
Such a tool has shown, in places such as South Korea, to be an imp component in handling the pandemic. It needs to be part of AB’s plan.
But we seem to be at loggerheads re how to do this. #ableg
Such a tool has shown, in places such as South Korea, to be an imp component in handling the pandemic. It needs to be part of AB’s plan.
But we seem to be at loggerheads re how to do this. #ableg
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In May, AB launched a COVID tracing app for Android and iOS (ABTraceTogether). But there were privacy concerns and it didn’t work well on iOS devices. It’s only been downloaded 250K times, and only a very small percentage of Albertans are actually using it.
In May, AB launched a COVID tracing app for Android and iOS (ABTraceTogether). But there were privacy concerns and it didn’t work well on iOS devices. It’s only been downloaded 250K times, and only a very small percentage of Albertans are actually using it.
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In early July, the feds launched an app (COVID Alert) which works across borders and has no technological limitations. It is less intrusive, as it collects no personal data. It depends on the user, upon learning that they’ve been infected, to take action.
In early July, the feds launched an app (COVID Alert) which works across borders and has no technological limitations. It is less intrusive, as it collects no personal data. It depends on the user, upon learning that they’ve been infected, to take action.
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It’s now activated to work in 8 provinces, and has been downloaded 5M times.
It’s now activated to work in 8 provinces, and has been downloaded 5M times.
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There are two diff philosophies at work here.
The AB app emphasizes efficacy over privacy, as the govt knows who's been infected and can follow-up with those people to ensure that they get tested and quarantined if nec, and to trace their contacts, as collected by the app.
There are two diff philosophies at work here.
The AB app emphasizes efficacy over privacy, as the govt knows who's been infected and can follow-up with those people to ensure that they get tested and quarantined if nec, and to trace their contacts, as collected by the app.
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But that’s labour-intensive, and with our sharp rise in cases, AHS announced that it doesn’t have the staff to keep do it on a timely basis.
But that’s labour-intensive, and with our sharp rise in cases, AHS announced that it doesn’t have the staff to keep do it on a timely basis.
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The fed app emphasizes privacy to the detriment of efficacy, as it depends on users' willingness--once they've tested positive--to obtain and enter a code, and on people receiving that code to get tested.
The fed app emphasizes privacy to the detriment of efficacy, as it depends on users' willingness--once they've tested positive--to obtain and enter a code, and on people receiving that code to get tested.
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“The federal version notifies people when they have been exposed to someone who has been infected for the novel coronavirus, while the provincial app collects data for use by provincial contact tracers.”
“The federal version notifies people when they have been exposed to someone who has been infected for the novel coronavirus, while the provincial app collects data for use by provincial contact tracers.”
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AB announced on Aug 9 that it would adopt the federal app, but Kenney said recently that it wouldn’t, but gave no real reason. Kenney said the AB app’s problems were addressed in a September update, making it fully functional on all platforms
AB announced on Aug 9 that it would adopt the federal app, but Kenney said recently that it wouldn’t, but gave no real reason. Kenney said the AB app’s problems were addressed in a September update, making it fully functional on all platforms
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(side note: this means they kept working on it, rather than work to adopt the fed one.)
UCP Ministers have derided it as “Trudeau’s app.”
(side note: Kenney keeps emphasizing “personal responsibility” over govt intervention, which would point to the federal app, but…)
(side note: this means they kept working on it, rather than work to adopt the fed one.)
UCP Ministers have derided it as “Trudeau’s app.”
(side note: Kenney keeps emphasizing “personal responsibility” over govt intervention, which would point to the federal app, but…)
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BC is the only other prov to not implement the federal app, and has indicated that it would like the app to have more flexibility. It wants exposure notifications to be more specific; eg to be able to tie cases to an event.
BC is the only other prov to not implement the federal app, and has indicated that it would like the app to have more flexibility. It wants exposure notifications to be more specific; eg to be able to tie cases to an event.
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"What we really would like to see is an app that we could download when we're at a celebration or a party or a church service, so that we can identify those specific times when there may have been somebody with COVID who was in that vicinity," Henry said on Monday.
"What we really would like to see is an app that we could download when we're at a celebration or a party or a church service, so that we can identify those specific times when there may have been somebody with COVID who was in that vicinity," Henry said on Monday.
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Meanwhile in AB, cases are again rising sharply, people are dying. An effective app is needed. What’s the best option to move ahead?
Google’s policy is that it will only work with one jurisdiction, so it’ll work with the feds and not with individual provinces.
Meanwhile in AB, cases are again rising sharply, people are dying. An effective app is needed. What’s the best option to move ahead?
Google’s policy is that it will only work with one jurisdiction, so it’ll work with the feds and not with individual provinces.
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The federal app works seamlessly across borders. Presumably, it can be enhanced to address provinces’ needs.
It’s time to implement it, Mr. Premier @jkenney
/fin
The federal app works seamlessly across borders. Presumably, it can be enhanced to address provinces’ needs.
It’s time to implement it, Mr. Premier @jkenney
/fin
