Download A Mobile App To Detect The Coronavirus

Would You Download A Mobile App To Detect The Coronavirus?

Yesterday, China launched a mobile app to let you know if you have had “close contact” with the coronavirus. According to CNET, citing Xinhua, China’s state-run news agency, users can scan a QR code with mobile apps, such as, Alipay or WeChat to find out if they are at risk based on their proximity to someone who has been infected or is suspected of infection. (See privacy comment/update at end of the post.)

The coronavirus app listed above is for those in China, and at the greatest risk currently. But it begs the question of - is this sort of app or device coming to a mobile device in your country? This app news hit my radar thanks to SmartBrief, which presented a poll to subscribers of the “While You Were Working” newsletter, with the following question: 

“Imagine the government didn't already have access to a bunch of your mobile phone location data and you were given the chance to download an app that would cross-check your location data history to see if you had been in close proximity to someone who had been diagnosed with coronavirus. Would you download the app?” 70 percent said “No.” I am guessing that a majority of that survey audience is not based in China.

There is also a real-time data-driven site, the Coronavirus app site that shows 44,000-plus confirmed infection cases in China. The next country on the list is Japan with 203 confirmed cases and it declines from there — with the rest of the world showing less than one percent of the total, to date. That could change rapidly, of course, but the site provides an additional view of just how far and wide the virus is in reality, providing calm in the midst of chaos. 

Data can sometimes be frightening, so to keep things in perspective and rational, I want to share this one (title notwithstanding): AI Predicts Coronavirus Could Infect 2.5 Billion And Kill 53 Million. Doctors Say That’s Not Credible, And Here’s Why - Forbes contributor, John Koetsier, explains why you should keep your wits and not freak out about coronavirus. Artificial intelligence, in this case, does not have all the data and facts and is likely wrong. Phew. This post lists several more data points and tips to protect yourself just below. 

Download A Mobile App To Detect The Coronavirus