@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward Important point. It's not either/or, and in context the money is not the issue. Digital contact tracing solves the problem of speed and recall bias, which is critical when faced with pre-symptomatic transmission and transmission from mild infections.
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward But to work, digital contact tracing needs support to reinforce messages, to provide information and reassurance, and crucially, to reach communities where uptake will be poor. We need to invest in multiple strategies, and build up evidence of what works and how to link together
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward So digital contact tracing isn't about undercutting investment in vital services, its about solving a problem that is very hard to solve otherwise, how to get the message that someone is a contact of a suspect or confirmed case fast enough for it to be useful.
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward The UK NHSX app is described here, and there is a clear commitment to a properly linked up approach nhsx.nhs.uk/blogs/digital-…
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward The combined strategy is described here: 18000 new contact tracers, the app, and lots more testing ft.com/content/4a282a…
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward There has understandably been much focus on the apps, the novelty, the different choices of architecture, the disagreements. Those are important debates. But so is discussion on how best to integrate them in public health to deliver infection prevention.
@yhgrad @nicolamlow @nataliexdean @EHaroz @DFisman @marcelsalathe @eggersnsf @jackiecassell @profhelenward We are currently focussing on simulations to support these more integrated approaches, and welcome others so that a plurality of analyses can rapidly improve approaches.
