Coronavirus

[DracoM]

OK, so bully for Track and Trace App..............all very fine
BUT
what about those who do NOT own an up-to-date modern mobile phone, or indeed any mobile phone?

Given the age demographic of the more vulnerable in society, how can any govt be assured that such can be reached? 15-50s yes, of course, but over 50? And then the Over 60? And even more, the Over 70?

[LMcD]

OK, so bully for Track and Trace App..............all very fine
BUT
what about those who do NOT own an up-to-date modern mobile phone, or indeed any mobile phone?

Given the age demographic of the more vulnerable in society, how can any govt be assured that such can be reached? 15-50s yes, of course, but over 50? And then the Over 60? And even more, the Over 70?

I'm over 70 and I haven't got a smart mobile phone - or even a stupid one. Quite a few of my friends and acquaintances of a certain age have an old, basic mobile phone which - ironically - they use for emergencies, by which they mean, for example, having to ring a taxi firm if they've missed the bus.
One local association of which I am member has over 600 members, a quarter of whom don't seem to have access to the internet.

[DracoM]

'Dear Matt Hancock, I think you ought to know that....'

[Phileas]

The answer is you need an immunisation fraction of 1-1/R where R is the expected number of infections from any 1 individual - if R is very high then this approaches 1 ie 100% immunisation - if R = 3 then you need 66% - the maths is just based on the probability that an infected person will find a non-immunised person to infect

Although I believe it’s more complicated than that partly due to the variability in the infectiousness of different people - apparently about 20% of carriers are responsible for 80% of transmissions.

If also a significant part of the population is shielding, then practical herd immunity level can be much lower, AIUI.

[Dave2002]

I'm over 70 and I haven't got a smart mobile phone - or even a stupid one. Quite a few of my friends and acquaintances of a certain age have an old, basic mobile phone which - ironically - they use for emergencies, by which they mean, for example, having to ring a taxi firm if they've missed the bus.
One local association of which I am member has over 600 members, a quarter of whom don't seem to have access to the internet.

I won't go into all the details of how or why I use mobile phones, but basically although I have several so-called smartphones, I don't use them much, and I still use what is now considered an antediluvian device made before 2010. It does have Bluetooth, but I suspect not the variety which is needed for the app to work.

To respond to DracoM, he might like to tell Matt a few more things.

Many older people switch their mobiles off when they are not using them.
Some people live in locations where their mobiles cannot pick up a signal.

[Dave2002]

Although I believe it’s more complicated than that partly due to the variability in the infectiousness of different people - apparently about 20% of carriers are responsible for 80% of transmissions.

If also a significant part of the population is shielding, then practical herd immunity level can be much lower, AIUI.

Trust biology and humans to screw up the maths!

[DracoM]

I won't go into all the details of how or why I use mobile phones, but basically although I have several so-called smartphones, I don't use them much, and I still use what is now considered an antediluvian device made before 2010. It does have Bluetooth, but I suspect not the variety which is needed for the app to work.

To respond to DracoM, he might like to tell Matt a few more things.

Many older people switch their mobiles off when they are not using them.
Some people live in locations where their mobiles cannot pick up a signal.

e.g. the hilly / mountainous / tourist-invaded / high Covid-count NORTH WEST...............Ahem, Mr H.....?

[Frances_iom]

I'm awaiting the decree from the comedian on high that being over 70 I must remain housebound - after all Scotland has just decreed that children who have left home to attend College or University may no longer return to parental homes.

[teamsaint]

I'm awaiting the decree from the comedian on high that being over 70 I must remain housebound - after all Scotland has just decreed that children who have left home to attend College or University may no longer return to parental homes.

And if it is so decreed, what do you think you will you do?

[Frances_iom]

And if it is so decreed, what do you think you will you do?

depends on how it is implemented after all BJ has suggested the army could help the police - my own opinion is that we seem to be entering on a 'save the pensioners' excuse into a state subject to arbitrary decrees - parliament is just a joke at present.

[Bryn]

depends on how it is implemented after all BJ has suggested the army could help the police - my own opinion is that we seem to be entering on a 'save the pensioners' excuse into a state subject to arbitrary decrees - parliament is just a joke at present.

I wonder what proportion of 'pensioners' have upgraded their smartphones (if they have them) in the past 5 years?

[teamsaint]

depends on how it is implemented after all BJ has suggested the army could help the police - my own opinion is that we seem to be entering on a 'save the pensioners' excuse into a state subject to arbitrary decrees - parliament is just a joke at present.

yes.
If I was out in that position, I would definitely use my judgement , rather than slavishly follow the law.

[Bryn]

Well I never!

https://bylinetimes.com/2020/04/22/palantir-coronavirus-contract-did-not-go-to-competitive-tender/

[oddoneout]

From a guardian article, my bold. It's obvious(I think) what she means but the choice of word is rather unfortunate.

Yvonne Doyle, the medical director at Public Health England, said the number of new cases was “a stark warning for us all”. She added: “The signals are clear. Positivity rates are rising across all age groups and we’re continuing to see spikes in rates of admission to hospital and critical care.”

[LMcD]

I'm awaiting the decree from the comedian on high that being over 70 I must remain housebound - after all Scotland has just decreed that children who have left home to attend College or University may no longer return to parental homes.

... and they've now been barred from bars, pubs and restaurants.