Where the Isle of Wight goes, Britain follows – this rallying call from the government health secretary Matt Hancock launched the trial of the NHS app to track and trace coronavirus cases on Monday – but what are the politicians saying?
The number of residents who will need to take part is still unknown but developers say if at least half of the 140,000 population on the Isle of Wight use the app it will impact the spread of the virus — if not eradicate it altogether. However, that does not mean everyone will use it and the reaction on social media has been varied.
Many residents have confirmed their support for the government and will download the app, happily sharing their information and think it is a good place to test the app. 75% of Island Echo readers polled say they will download the app.
Conservative MP for the Isle of Wight, Bob Seely and leader of the Isle of Wight Council, Dave Stewart, have welcomed the decision to be the trial zone.
Cllr Stewart said:
“I have always been keen to ensure we keep our special community safe from the virus but at the same time explore ways to enable us to get back up on our feet and move forward from it.
“If we are able to help the country move forward then the Island will also have done its part in helping tackling this virus and rebuilding our lives through safe and social distancing when the time is right.”
Mr Seely said:
“We will be leading the country in terms of using the very latest technology to keep us safe.
“We have a moral duty to protect life now — but we also need to protect life in the future.
“This pilot scheme is an important stage of getting life back to normal in time and I am proud the Island is leading the way.”
But others have voiced concerns over privacy and are uncertain about whether to take part in the trial, due to data privacy issues.
At the daily press briefing on Monday, it was asked by Isle of Wight LDRS reporter Louise Hill whether the app will keep residents data private and protected. Mr Hancock was quick to assure people it was — saying the app had been signed off by the National Cyber Centre and designed with privacy and security front of mind. He said:
“The data is stored on an individual’s phone and not shared until it needs to be with the NHS after a contact is made.
“This has the highest levels of privacy built in so we can ensure people in the nature of privacy and also that it can be effective and save lives.”
The Isle of Wight Green Party spokesperson, Vix Lowthion, said:
“Any trial of an app must be part of a comprehensive review. This must include data and security concerns and other vital, locally based public health services which will have to work alongside the technology, both on the Island and when it rolls out nationally.
“Everyone wants to feel like they are ‘doing their duty’ and fighting this virus, and I have much sympathy with this.
“But while installing the app can help Islanders contribute towards the national effort, it urgently must be supported through a robust and comprehensive response of ‘real life’ contact tracers.
“Otherwise the vulnerable and isolated people of the Isle of Wight may be put at risk, by the false sense of security that an app could bring.”
Isle of Wight Labour’s Richard Quigley wrote to Mr Seely saying:
“Once the app is up and running, I think Islanders deserve to be regularly updated with general information on its use, and how it is helping to test, trace and isolate cases of Covid-19.”
I would not think it a good idea. Perhaps a bus with a SWAT team could come to Tescos and do tests in the queue, far better.