1/ OK, so a few days ago, I wrote some thoughts about the Apple+Google contact tracing API + framework. A few key topics have come up in the questions that I think are worth clarifying.
2/ Some are pointing out that tech is not the silver bullet. I strongly agree. There are many issues to consider beyond tech, including having a social safety net for people who need to be tested & quarantined.
Tech can, at best, accelerate contact tracing.
Tech can, at best, accelerate contact tracing.
3/ One thing I didn't say clearly: with this framework, Apple & Google servers get ZERO additional data.
They're building a framework, not the apps that use the framework. Those apps will get some data, and the framework exists to *minimize* how much data they get.
They're building a framework, not the apps that use the framework. Those apps will get some data, and the framework exists to *minimize* how much data they get.
4/ One suggestion I made got some groans: that public health departments could write the apps. Since my posts, the UK's NHS has been reported to be writing an app against the APIs, and the French President announced they're working on an app, which I bet will use this framework.
5/ Whether US public health departments will build an app is indeed a different question, but I'm still betting it will happen. Of course they may very well outsource some of the development, and ideally there would be an open-source version that can be minimally customized.
6/ Some folks were concerned that someone's phone would just go off non-stop. Keep in mind that contact tracing is useful only if the epidemic is under control and the number of new cases each day is low. So I'm not concerned here.
7/ Some pointed out that many don't have a smartphone, and what do we do about them?
Critically, research shows we only need to contact trace 60+% to contain. Also, contact tracing can be accelerated via the app, but doesn't need to be done only via the app.
Critically, research shows we only need to contact trace 60+% to contain. Also, contact tracing can be accelerated via the app, but doesn't need to be done only via the app.
8/ Finally, many are rightly concerned about usage – too little --> apps are useless, while mandating apps --> awkward.
I'm not sure, except I'll say that, once we all internalize what's at stake & how necessary contact tracing is, I think we'll find a path to usage.
I'm not sure, except I'll say that, once we all internalize what's at stake & how necessary contact tracing is, I think we'll find a path to usage.
