This contact tracking application could become the model to save the world from the spread of coronavirus

All eyes are on the search for contact tracking technology that surpasses the world and stands out from the rest, and on an island off the south coast of the United Kingdom, scientists hope to have developed an application that will become the model copied. In the whole world.

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This could be a crucial moment because the government will launch the application across the country in a few weeks, unless setbacks. It has been downloaded by 55,000 people on the Isle of Wight, according to the UK Department of Health, but will soon be available to millions of people.

US states and local governments, including North and South Dakota and Utah, are developing their own versions. These differ, with some taking a centralized approach to storing data, while others preserving data on users’ devices.

Many say that 60% of the population should download a tracking and location app for it to be effective, and a major obstacle to this is the concern for privacy.

But Bob Seely, the politician representing the Isle of Wight, 80 miles south of London, told MarketWatch that the privacy concerns were unfounded and “ironic”.

“There is nothing more ironic than people who visit Facebook to complain about the loss of their privacy,” he said. “This app doesn’t track your location, it’s the only app I downloaded that doesn’t ask for my location.”

And the initial phase of the deployment went “very well,” he said. “Many islanders asked for the link to the app before they even received their letter about it.”

“Last weekend, Dr. Geraint Lewis, head of the NHSX (Department of Health Services Technology) application, said that on average 25 people a day were tested for coronavirus after reporting it through demand, which helps not only to keep them safe, but also to everyone else on the island.

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Alice Webster, director of nursing for the Isle of Wight, told MarketWatch that the Isle of Wighters is thrilled to be part of the national deployment and called the application “a great solution”.

There were some technical issues, but she said, “I’m a bit of a technophobe, but I even managed to download the app.”

She said she knew there were privacy concerns, but people were eager to do “anything” to help control the virus.

“It is extremely difficult to work with patients who are really sick with COVID-19 and we are looking forward to doing anything to fight this virus,” he said.

The British government has said the app will play a vital role in getting the country moving again and released a “road map” on Monday to help block the coronavirus.

The people of the Isle of Wight told MarketWatch that they are proud to test the application and that if there were no technical issues, the response would be much greater.

Some residents were unable to download the app, while others said it drained the phone’s battery.

Meanwhile, Island counselor Paul Fuller told MarketWatch that the response to the app has been mostly positive.

“I have had people who are concerned about some of the negative things you hear on TV, about Big Brother and other things,” he said. “But I think people have thought about it and if it can save a person’s life, then it’s a good thing, right?”