The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted lives and economies, causing the biggest global recession since the Great Depression. While the spread of misinformation has increased tensions and decreased our collective ability to overcome the pandemic, there are a few bright spots. One ray of sunshine is the joint effort between Apple and Google to create the Exposure Notifications System for contact tracing. This system will allow people to keep track of their contacts and ensure they are not spreading COVID-19. ..
Google and Apple say they have created the Exposure Notifications System to help governments and our global community fight this pandemic through contact tracing.
The app for your area lets you know when people in your area are getting vaccinated. If you’re an Android user, you can find and install the app for your area. iPhone users can opt-in to Exposure Notifications in their device settings.
What Is Contact Tracing?
Contact tracing is a public health technique that uses the principle of contact to prevent disease from spreading. Contact tracing is used to find anyone who came in contact with a confirmed case, to test that person or monitor them for infection, and to stop a disease from spreading.
It can be difficult to remember everyone’s name and contact information, especially if you’ve never met them before. To make the process easier, try creating a list of people you came into contact with yesterday and then breaking it down by category. For example, if you were at the grocery store, you might list people who worked there with you, people who bought your food, or anyone who was waiting in line. If you were on public transportation, you might list the stations where you were located and the people who waited next to you.
The Google and Apple Exposure Notification System is designed to notify the people you came into contact with but who you can’t identify directly. And it does that without sacrificing anyone’s privacy.
What is the Exposure Notifications System?
When you opt in to the system (iPhone) or install an app that’s part of the Exposure Notifications System (Android), it’ll notify you if you’ve been exposed to COVID-19. Here’s how it works: You will be notified by email about any exposures to COVID-19. This email will include a link to a website where you can learn more about the virus and how to protect yourself from it.
This technology makes it more likely that you’ll be notified if you come in contact with someone who has COVID-19, even if that person is a stranger. By using this technology, we can make it more likely that we’ll be able to identify and treat these patients as quickly as possible.
Your Identity and Location Will Remain Private
Google and Apple have jointly built a system that notifies users when their photos or videos are being shared publicly. The goal was to protect users’ privacy, and the system has been successful so far. ..
The Exposure Notification System is a program that allows you to turn off notifications for other users. Other users can’t see your identity, and neither can Google or Apple. The system doesn’t track your location, instead it uses Bluetooth to see if two devices are near one another. The device’s location is neither collected nor utilized.Only legitimate public health systems can use the Exposure Notification System, and they have to meet specific criteria around privacy, data use, and security.
This system only works if people use it, so the creators have an incentive to keep users’ information private.
Does My Area Have an App Yet?
This list shows you how many countries have Exposure Notification Systems (ENS) apps and how often they are updated.
If you don’t see an app for your region, contact your elected officials and ask for one.
What Happens If I Test Positive for COVID-19?
If you test positive for COVID-19, your region’s health authority might contact you. They will give you a code you can use to upload your diagnosis into the Exposure Notifications System. Your identity will remain private.
If other users of the Exposure Notifications System came into contact with you, they’ll be notified. The only information they’ll get is how many days ago they were exposed. Again, your personal information will not be shared with other users. ..
Should I Use the Exposure Notification System if I’m Vaccinated?
Second, if you do get a breakthrough infection, please call your doctor right away. They can help you manage the virus and prevent any serious health complications. ..
The Exposure Notification System (ENS) is a system that allows people to be aware of potential exposures to dangerous chemicals. The more people who are using the system, the better it works.
Dr. Rochelle Walensky, Director of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, recently said that fully vaccinated people who get a COVID-19 breakthrough infection can transmit the virus.
The Exposure Notification System (ENS) is still an important tool to use even if you are vaccinated. ..
Help End the COVID-19 Pandemic
The Exposure Notification System is a way for communities to communicate when they are being exposed to a health risk. By working together, we can all help protect ourselves from the potential consequences of an outbreak. ..
