Slippery and worrying content in today's lobbying briefing after #PMQs. A quick thread, regarding latest comments on the #NHSapp fiasco...
H/T @guardiannews for the quotes
1/6
H/T @guardiannews for the quotes
1/6
First, this on Johnson's "functionality" claim:
"When it was put to him that other countries do have apps, the spokesman said that they did not fully record people’s contacts and that they were not reliable enough to be used to tell people to self-isolate."
2/6
"When it was put to him that other countries do have apps, the spokesman said that they did not fully record people’s contacts and that they were not reliable enough to be used to tell people to self-isolate."
2/6
Worrying.
1. Ignores the privacy issue and will depress downloads.
2. More important, apps really should NOT tell people to self-isolate. It's a delicate personal request that requires human contact and reassurance.
Almost all other apps supplement existing contact tracing.
3/6
1. Ignores the privacy issue and will depress downloads.
2. More important, apps really should NOT tell people to self-isolate. It's a delicate personal request that requires human contact and reassurance.
Almost all other apps supplement existing contact tracing.
3/6
A reference to the Full Fact factchecking website. Its article:
"While it’s certainly true that some countries have launched track-and-trace apps, it may be too early to know whether these apps are having the intended effect in helping to contain the spread of the pandemic."
4/6
"While it’s certainly true that some countries have launched track-and-trace apps, it may be too early to know whether these apps are having the intended effect in helping to contain the spread of the pandemic."
4/6
True but also a truism, given how recent the pandemic is. Who keeps telling us metrics need to build over time? Boris Johnson.
Primarily, that emphatically isn't sufficient evidence from which to claim that the other apps are not "functional". At best, "The jury is out".
5/6
Primarily, that emphatically isn't sufficient evidence from which to claim that the other apps are not "functional". At best, "The jury is out".
5/6
In short, Johnson's claim still doesn't stand up and was made in Parliament. It was misleading - these answers are cagey, but still unhelpful.
Also, they imply the UK is still trying to rewrite best practice in contact tracing by making the app too active. That won't work.
6/6
Also, they imply the UK is still trying to rewrite best practice in contact tracing by making the app too active. That won't work.
6/6
