Apple Updates COVID-19 App With New CDC Recommendations for Healthcare Workers and Best Practices for Quarantining

[MacRumors]

Apple today updated its COVID-19 screening app, created to help people stay informed and take the proper steps to limit the spread of the coronavirus.

Today's update includes updated recommendations for healthcare workers to align with CDC guidelines, plus best practices for quarantining if you've been exposed to COVID-19.

The app update also adds new information for pregnancy and newborns. Apple has also updated its accompanying COVID-19 website to provide the same new information for those who prefer to use the website.

Apple created the COVID-19 app and website in partnership with the CDC, White House Coronavirus Task Force, and FEMA. Along with the features introduced today, the tools provided by Apple let users answer a series of questions on risk factors, recent exposure, and symptoms to receive CDC recommendations on the next steps that they need to take.

The screening tool is available to anyone who is 18 years or older in the United States. Data provided in the COVID-19 app and on the website is not shared with Apple, the CDC, or other government agencies.

Article Link: Apple Updates COVID-19 App With New CDC Recommendations for Healthcare Workers and Best Practices for Quarantining

 

[Mr. Awesome]

Here comes another COVID thread...

 

[nortonandreev]

Hopefully someone has told them you don’t have coronavirus if you’re sleepy, as they were suggesting in the initial release

 

[SeattleMoose]

This whole contact app thing is super creepy....so much room for governmental abuse.
When did Apple become....Google!!!???

 

[NickName99]

This whole contact app thing is super creepy....so much room for governmental abuse.
When did Apple become....Google!!!???

The US government is reporting 85,000 Americans dead from coronavirus in the past couple months. Would you rather be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

Edit: three days later, now it’s over 90,000 Americans.

 

[iGeneo]

This whole contact app thing is super creepy....so much room for governmental abuse.
When did Apple become....Google!!!???

Can you elaborate on what the "government" can abuse? You realize this app is nothing more than info, no data. Might as well be an ebook

 

[nutmac]

This whole contact app thing is super creepy....so much room for governmental abuse.
When did Apple become....Google!!!???

First of all, this app is NOT a contact tracing app. This is merely an information tool to help you get tested.

If you are talking about Exposure Notification API that Apple and Google are co-developing, you are seriously misinformed. From FAQ:

7. Where is the data stored and who has access to it?

If a user decides to participate, exposure notification data will be stored and processed on device. Other than the random Bluetooth identifiers that are broadcast, no data will be shared by the system with public health authority apps unless one of the following two scenarios takes place:

• If a user chooses to report a positive diagnosis of COVID-19 to their contact tracing app, the user’s most recent keys to their Bluetooth beacons will be added to the positive diagnosis list shared by the public health authority so that other users who came in contact with those beacons can be alerted.
• If a user is notified through their app that they have come into contact with an individual who is positive for COVID-19 then the system will share the day the contact occurred, how long it lasted and the Bluetooth signal strength of that contact. Any other information about the contact will not be shared.

In keeping with our privacy guidelines, Apple and Google will not receive identifying information about the user, location data, or information about any other devices the user has been in proximity of.

 

[Professor Rucy]

The US government is reporting 85,000 Americans dead from coronavirus in the past couple months. Would you rather be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

If you actually believe that an overwhelming majority of Americans—including the elderly, the most vulnerable to terminal illness in general—will even have an ounce of awareness of this iOS update to make any difference, you are living in a fantasy world, not just a safety bubble.

 

[globalist]

Is there an app for the flu, too? I think I caught something...

 

[NickName99]

If you actually believe that an overwhelming majority of Americans—including the elderly, the most vulnerable to terminal illness in general—will even have an ounce of awareness of this iOS update to make any difference, you are living in a fantasy world, not just a safety bubble.

Wow, what a weird straw man argument. It looks like you’re saying, in a roundabout way, that there’s no point trying to help, it won’t help most people. That sure strikes me as a “part of the problem” attitude, rather than a “part of the solution” one.

 

[fraslo]

The US government is reporting 85,000 Americans dead from coronavirus in the past couple months. Would you rather be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

Reported yes.
But vast majority of these 85,000 died with coronavirus, not from coronavirus. They had other illnesses like cancer, etc..., and they were counted as cv deaths because they also had cv. Internet is full of reports to this account.

 

[NickName99]

Reported yes.
But vast majority of these 85,000 died with coronavirus, not from coronavirus. They had other illnesses like cancer, etc..., and they were counted as cv deaths because they also had cv. Internet is full of reports to this account.

Actually, Dr Fauci said just two days ago that the death count due to coronavirus is likely higher than what’s been reported. Maybe you missed that, he just made that statement during Tuesday’s Senate hearing.

Fauci Says U.S. Death Toll Is Likely Higher. Other COVID-19 Stats Need Adjusting, Too

Researchers say the statistics issued about coronavirus cases and deaths do not necessarily reflect the full degree of the pandemic's impact.

www.npr.org

 

[Professor Rucy]

Wow, what a weird straw man argument. It looks like you’re saying, in a roundabout way, that there’s no point trying to help, it won’t help most people. That sure strikes me as a “part of the problem” attitude, rather than a “part of the solution” one.

An overwhelming majority of Americans is a “straw man?” What?!?

You know how you can be part of the solution, pal? Stop pretending that a 7-inch glass-and-plastic device with a screen gives a damn and focus on the real well-being of people, which includes opening doors, getting back to work and get busy living life instead of worrying about what life may throw at you.

 

[IlluminatedSage]

People do not really want an app from Apple combining with google to spy in real time. This is a huge privacy violation. many believe it to be a horrible thing to execute

 

[NickName99]

An overwhelming majority of Americans is a “straw man?” What?!?

You know how you can be part of the solution, pal? Stop pretending that a 7-inch glass-and-plastic device with a screen gives a damn and focus on the real well-being of people, which includes opening doors, getting back to work and get busy living life instead of worrying about what life may throw at you.

Sounds like you’re not very concerned about the 85,000+ Americans who have died in the past couple months. How many lives lost will it take for you to take it seriously?

 

[cardfan]

Actually, Dr Fauci said just two days ago that the death count due to coronavirus is likely higher than what’s been reported. Maybe you missed that, he just made that statement during Tuesday’s Senate hearing.

Fauci Says U.S. Death Toll Is Likely Higher. Other COVID-19 Stats Need Adjusting, Too

Researchers say the statistics issued about coronavirus cases and deaths do not necessarily reflect the full degree of the pandemic's impact.

www.npr.org

Is that the same guy that said have fun cruising if you’re healthy back in March? He flip flops more than a politician but don’t hold him to that which is his signature line.

 

[cardfan]

Sounds like you’re not very concerned about the 85,000+ Americans who have died in the past couple months. How many lives lost will it take for you to take it seriously?

Let’s apply this new found concern to everything that causes death. I’m more concerned about heart conditions, car accidents, flu, smoking, drinking, etc. I got apps for all of these and now try to keep up with running death tolls on these daily. Because I care. And I must do everything I can possibly do to be 100% safe.

Thanks man. You’ve awakened me to a world of being a nutjob. I gave up smoking, drinking, sold my car, quit my job, wear facemasks, and looking into aluminum foil.

 

[sakagura]

Reported yes.
But vast majority of these 85,000 died with coronavirus, not from coronavirus. They had other illnesses like cancer, etc..., and they were counted as cv deaths because they also had cv. Internet is full of reports to this account.

Dumb, ignorant, irresponsible conspiracy theory.

The virus exacerbates pre-existing conditions that you might have been able to recover from.

Hospitals aren't counting 'illnesses like cancer' as COVID-19 cases. They are counting patients whose lives have been shortened because they were infected. That is true whether you had a pre-existing condition or completely healthy. COVID-19 kills. For those who luckily survive, if their lungs are damaged from the infection there is a high possibility their lives are shortened too.

Conspiracy theories like yours that result in deaths should result in financial penalties, and prison sentences.

 

[CarlJ]

This whole contact app thing is super creepy....so much room for governmental abuse.
When did Apple become....Google!!!???

People do not really want an app from Apple combining with google to spy in real time. This is a huge privacy violation. many believe it to be a horrible thing to execute

WTF? You know you’re complaining about an app that ONLY OFFERS INFORMATION, right? This app has nothing to do with the exposure notification API, which hasn’t been released yet. And the API doesn’t collect any personally identifiable information. But I guess knee-jerk fear reaction is easier than actually learning and understanding.

 

[FrankieTDouglas]

The US government is reporting 85,000 Americans dead from coronavirus in the past couple months. Would you rather be part of the problem, or part of the solution?

Hopefully there will be a Patriots of Corona Act soon, so not only will I be part of the solution, we'll have lasting effects on the country through policy windows capitalizing on fear, too!

 

[aplnub]

Sounds like you’re not very concerned about the 85,000+ Americans who have died in the past couple months. How many lives lost will it take for you to take it seriously?

HONDAs (The HONDA Patient Population- Hypertensive, Obese, Non-Compliant, Diabetic and Asthmatics) will kill more people this year than COVID-19. Where's the outrage?

 

[Professor Rucy]

Sounds like you’re not very concerned about the 85,000+ Americans who have died in the past couple months. How many lives lost will it take for you to take it seriously?

Are you suggesting that if Apple had created this tracking app earlier, say in January, 85K would not have died? When the contact tracing app launches, how many lives lost will you accept before you realize software can’t save anyone?

 

[NickName99]

HONDAs (The HONDA Patient Population- Hypertensive, Obese, Non-Compliant, Diabetic and Asthmatics) will kill more people this year than COVID-19. Where's the outrage?

Hey look, another person who isn’t concerned with 85,000 Americans dying from coronavirus in the past couple months. It’s fine since lots of people also died from other things? That’s your rationale?

Edit: a few days later and now it’s over 90,000 Americans dead from coronavirus.