scholarly journals The acceptability and uptake of smartphone tracking for COVID-19 in Australia

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. e0244827 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Stephan Lewandowsky ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Andrew Perfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Widespread Acceptance ◽  
Representative Samples

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Governments are instituting mobile tracking technologies to perform rapid contact tracing. However, these technologies are only effective if the public is willing to use them, implying that their perceived public health benefits must outweigh personal concerns over privacy and security. The Australian federal government recently launched the ‘COVIDSafe’ app, designed to anonymously register nearby contacts. If a contact later identifies as infected with COVID-19, health department officials can rapidly followup with their registered contacts to stop the virus’ spread. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google’s Bluetooth exposure notification system) in two representative samples of the Australian public prior to the launch of COVIDSafe. We compared these attitudes to usage of the COVIDSafe app after its launch in a further two representative samples of the Australian public. Using Bayesian methods, we find widespread acceptance for all tracking technologies, however, observe a large intention-behaviour gap between people’s stated attitudes and actual uptake of the COVIDSafe app. We consider the policy implications of these results for Australia and the world at large.

scholarly journals The acceptability and uptake of smartphone tracking for COVID-19 in Australia

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Stephan Lewandowsky ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Andrew Perfors ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Widespread Acceptance ◽  
Representative Samples

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, many Governments are instituting mobile tracking technologies to perform rapid contact tracing. However, these technologies are only effective if the public is willing to use them, implying that their perceived public health benefits must outweigh personal concerns over privacy and security. The Australian federal government recently launched the `COVIDSafe' app, designed to anonymously register nearby contacts. If a contact later identifies as infected with COVID-19, health department officials can rapidly followup with their registered contacts to stop the virus' spread. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google's Bluetooth exposure notification system) in two representative samples of the Australian public prior to the launch of COVIDSafe. We compared these attitudes to usage of the COVIDSafe app after its launch in a further two representative samples of the Australian public. Using Bayesian methods, we find widespread acceptance for all tracking technologies, however, observe a large intention-behaviour gap between people’s stated attitudes and actual uptake of the COVIDSafe app. We consider the policy implications of these results for Australia and the world at large.

scholarly journals Young Adults View Smartphone Tracking Technologies for COVID-19 as Acceptable: The Case of Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 1332
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
YuWen Wang ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Shulan Hsieh ◽  
Carol Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mobile Tracking ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Community Transmission

Taiwan has been successful in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, without a vaccine the threat of a second outbreak remains. Young adults who show few to no symptoms when infected have been identified in many countries as driving the virus’ spread through unidentifiable community transmission. Mobile tracking technologies register nearby contacts of a user and notifies them if one later tests positive to the virus, potentially solving this issue; however, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their acceptance by the public. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google’s Bluetooth exposure notification system) among four samples of young Taiwanese adults (aged 25 years or younger). Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies (>75%), with acceptance for each technology surpassing 90% if additional privacy measures were included. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan and similar cultures.

scholarly journals Young adults view smartphone tracking technologies for COVID-19 as acceptable: the case of Taiwan

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Yu Wen Wang ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Shulan Hsieh ◽  
Carol Strong ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
Bayesian Methods ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Mobile Tracking ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Community Transmission

Taiwan has been successful in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, without a vaccine the threat of a second outbreak remains. Young adults who show few-to-no symptoms when infected have been identified in many countries as driving the virus' spread through unidentifiable community transmission. Mobile tracking technologies register nearby contacts of a user and notifies them if one later tests positive to the virus, potentially solving this issue; however, the effectiveness of these technologies depends on their acceptance by the public. The current study assessed attitudes towards three tracking technologies (telecommunication network tracking, a government app, and Apple and Google's Bluetooth exposure notification system) among four samples of young Taiwanese adults (aged 25 years or younger). Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies (> 75%), with acceptance for each technology surpassing 90% if additional privacy measures were included. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan and similar cultures.

scholarly journals High national acceptance for COVID-19 contact tracing technologies in Taiwan

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul Michael Garrett ◽  
Yu Wen Wang ◽  
Joshua Paul White ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Simon Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Data Security ◽  
Telecommunication Network ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Security And Privacy ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Policy Compliance ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Nationally Representative ◽  
Technology Benefits

Taiwan has been a world leader in controlling the spread of SARS-CoV-2 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Recently, the Taiwan Government launched its COVID-19 tracing App the `Taiwan Social Distancing App', however the effectiveness of this tracing App depends on its acceptance and uptake among the general population. We measured acceptance for three hypothetical tracing technologies (telecommunication network tracing, a government App, and the Apple and Google Bluetooth exposure notification system) in four nationally representative Taiwanese samples. Using Bayesian methods, we find high acceptance for all three tracking technologies, with acceptance increasing with the inclusion of additional privacy measures. Modelling revealed acceptance increased with the perceived technology benefits, trust in the providers' intent, data security and privacy measures, the level of ongoing control, and one's level of education. Acceptance decreased with data sensitivity perceptions, and perceived low policy compliance by others in the general public. We consider the policy implications of these results for Taiwan during the COVID-19 pandemic and into the future.

High national acceptance for COVID-19 contact tracing technologies in Taiwan (Preprint)

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paul M. Garrett ◽  
Yuwen Wang ◽  
Joshua P. White ◽  
Yoshihisa Kashima ◽  
Simon Dennis ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Technology Acceptance ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Virus Spread ◽  
Security Measures ◽  
Contributing Factors ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Social Distancing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Privacy Measures ◽  
Credible Intervals

BACKGROUND Governments worldwide have introduced COVID-19 tracing technologies. Taiwan, a world leader in controlling the virus’ spread, has introduced the Taiwan ‘Social Distancing App’ to facilitate COVID-19 contact tracing. However, for these technologies to be effective, they must be accepted and used by the public. OBJECTIVE Our study aimed to determine public acceptance for three hypothetical tracing technologies: a centralized Government App, a decentralized Bluetooth App (e.g., Taiwan’s Social Distancing App), and a Telecommunication tracing technology; and model what factors contributed to their acceptance. METHODS Four nationally representative surveys were conducted in April 2020 sampling 6,000 Taiwanese residents. Perceptions and impacts of COVID-19, government effectiveness, worldviews, and attitudes towards and acceptance of one-of-three hypothetical tracing technologies were assessed. RESULTS Technology acceptance was high across all hypothetical technologies (67% - 73%) and improved with additional privacy measures (82% - 88%). Bayesian modelling (using 95% highest density credible intervals) showed data sensitivity and perceived poor COVID-19 policy compliance inhibited technology acceptance. By contrast, technology benefits (e.g., returning to activities, reducing virus spread, lowering the likelihood of infection), higher education, and perceived technology privacy, security, and trust, were all contributing factors to overall acceptance. Bayesian ordinal probit models revealed higher COVID-19 concern for other people than for one’s self. CONCLUSIONS Taiwan is currently using a range of technologies to minimize the spread of COVID-19 as the country returns to normal economic and social activities. We observed high acceptance for COVID-19 tracing technologies among the Taiwanese public, a promising and necessary finding for the successful introduction of Taiwan’s new ‘Social Distancing App’. Policy makers may capitalize on this acceptance by focusing attention towards the App’s benefits, privacy and security measures, making the App’s privacy measures transparent to the public, and emphasizing App uptake and compliance among the public. CLINICALTRIAL Not applicable.

The Role of EMS Systems in Public Health Emergencies

1997 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 30-35 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara A. McIntosh ◽  
Patricia Hinds ◽  
Lorraine M. Giordano
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Health Department ◽  
Definitive Treatment ◽  
Local Health ◽  
Public Health Response ◽  
Pneumonic Plague ◽  
Notification System ◽  
The Public ◽  
Public Health Emergencies ◽  
Isolation Facilities

AbstractIntroduction:Until now, the public health response to the threat of an epidemic has involved coordination of efforts between federal agencies, local health departments, and individual hospitals, with no defined role for prehospital emergency medical services (EMS) providers.Methods:Representatives from the local health department, hospital consortium, and prehospital EMS providers developed an interim plan for dealing with an epidemic alert. The plan allowed for the prehospital use of appropriate isolation procedures, prophylaxis of personnel, and predesignation of receiving hospitals for patients suspected of having infection. Additionally, a dual notification system utilizing an EMS physician and a representative from the Office of Infectious Diseases from the hospital group was implemented to ensure that all potential cases were captured. Initially, the plan was employed only for those cases arising from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDCJ/Public Health Service (PHS) quarantine unit at the airport, but its use later was expanded to include all potential cases within the 9–1–1 system.Results:In the two test situations in which it was employed, the plan incorporating the prehospital EMS sector worked well and extended the “surveillance net” further into the community. During the Pneumonic Plague alert, EMS responded to the quarantine facilities at the airport five times and transported two patients to isolation facilities. Two additional patients were identified and transported to isolation facilities from calls within the 9–1–1 system. In all four isolated cases, Pneumonic Plague was ruled out. During the Ebola alert, no potential cases were identified.Conclusion:The incorporation of the prehospital sector into an already existing framework for public health emergencies (i.e., epidemics), enhances the reach of the public safety surveillance net and ensure that proper isolation is continued from identification of a possible case to arrival at a definitive treatment facility.

scholarly journals Comparative analysis of state public health measures and number of COVID-19 cases in California, Texas, and New York (April to July 2020)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yasmin Khajenoori ◽  
Lina Kamil ◽  
Joyita Bhattacharjee ◽  
Ellie Feng ◽  
Sanvi Pal
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
United States ◽  
New York ◽  
State Policy ◽  
Health Department ◽  
The United States ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
The Public ◽  
Health Measures ◽  
Global Pandemic

In response to the spread of COVID-19 in the United States, every state has utilized varying degrees of public health policies yielding different trends in the number of cases. Due to the lack of a unified approach taken in response to the global pandemic in the United States, we can look at the general trends in case numbers from different states in the context of the public health measures that have been implemented. Through the use of multiple databases, we collected data from each states health department websites and policy data came from the COVID-19 US State Policy Database on the CDR, as well as the KFF state policy database in order to graph the number of daily new cases in three different states while marking the dates when the certain policies were implemented. The scope of this particular review focuses on California, New York, and Texas, each of which have taken different approaches and are reflective of three different areas of the continental United States. The four policies that are analyzed include shelter in place orders, mask mandates, the closure and reopening of non-essential businesses, and the closure and reopening of restaurants for in person dining. To further understand the reopening strategies of these three states, we have utilized the “National Coronavirus Response: A Roadmap to Reopening” guide to compare the points at which each state decided to open considering testing capacity, contact tracing, and case numbers/trend in cases at that point in time. Based on this data, we comparatively analyzed trends in cases and policy measures, taking into account other factors like tracing and testing capacity to evaluate the appropriateness of each state’s measures in its overall goal of reopening. Overall, we have found New York which began as the hotspot for COVID-19 cases, to ultimately be the most successful state in regard to reducing the number of daily new cases and surpassing goals for contact tracing and testing. Conversely California, which began as a success story, has seen a sharp rise in cases after moving into phases of reopening. Similarly, Texas has also seen a rise in cases over recent months with the relaxation of public health measures before meeting the markers for reopening. Both California and Texas have been far behind on testing and contact tracing capabilities. Not only abiding by public health policy recommendations but also being consistent with these measures throughout the course of the pandemic are correlated with lower numbers of cases when comparing New York with California and Texas. This finding implies that for future pandemics, and moving forward with the current pandemic, extreme caution should be taken in timing public health measures and tracking cases.

Fiduciary Principles and Public Offices

2019 ◽  
pp. 302-322
Author(s):  
Ethan J. Leib ◽  
Stephen R. Galoob
Keyword(s):  
Administrative Law ◽  
Public Law ◽  
Public Institutions ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Public Officials ◽  
Public Office ◽  
Public And Private ◽  
Normative Structure ◽  
The Public ◽  
Positive Law

This chapter examines how fiduciary principles apply to public offices, focusing on what it means for officeholders to comport themselves to their respective public roles appropriately. Public law institutions can operate in accordance with fiduciary norms even when they are enforced differently from the remedial mechanisms available in private fiduciary law. In the public sector, fiduciary norms are difficult to enforce directly and the fiduciary norms of public office do not overlap completely with the positive law governing public officials. Nevertheless, core fiduciary principles are at the heart of public officeholding, and public officers need to fulfill their fiduciary role obligations. This chapter first considers three areas of U.S. public law whose fiduciary character reinforces the tenet that public office is a public trust: the U.S. Constitution’s “Emoluments Clauses,” administrative law, and the law of judging. It then explores the fiduciary character of public law by looking at the deeper normative structure of public officeholding, placing emphasis on how public officeholders are constrained by the principles of loyalty, care, deliberation, conscientiousness, and robustness. It also compares the policy implications of the fiduciary view of officeholding with those of Dennis Thompson’s view before concluding with an explanation of how the application of fiduciary principles might differ between public and private law settings and how public institutions might be designed or reformed in light of fiduciary norms.

scholarly journals Emergency Manager Perceptions of the Effectiveness and Limitations of Mass Notification Systems: A Mixed Method Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
William V. Pelfrey
Keyword(s):  
Text Messaging ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Notification System ◽  
Emergency Managers ◽  
Emergency Manager ◽  
Wide Variability ◽  
Manager Perceptions ◽  
Critical Resource ◽  
Multi Method Approach ◽  
Method Approach

AbstractDisasters can move quickly. Effective communication is a critical resource that can significantly enhance public safety. A mass notification system (MNS) uses text messaging to inform constituents of crisis, provide recommendations, connect to resources, and has the advantage of speed. Limited research has been conducted on the variables that influence the effectiveness, utilization, and perceptions of MNS. The extant study employs a multi-method approach to advance the scholarly knowledge on MNS. All emergency managers in a state were surveyed on issues of MNS enrollment, utilization, and brand. A subgroup of emergency managers were then interviewed to provide depth to the survey findings. Key findings indicate wide variability in MNS usage, little relationship between population size and enrollment, and a high perceived importance of MNS as a communication modality. Policy implications and recommendations are offered.

Data-driven sector coupling in 5G-based smart networks

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-68
Author(s):  
Guenter Knieps
Keyword(s):  
Data Privacy ◽  
Service Providers ◽  
Policy Implications ◽  
Network Industries ◽  
5G Networks ◽  
Privacy And Security ◽  
Open Set ◽  
Application Service ◽  
Downstream Application

5G attains the role of a GPT for an open set of downstream IoT applications in various network industries and within the app economy more generally. Traditionally, sector coupling has been a rather narrow concept focusing on the horizontal synergies of urban system integration in terms of transport, energy, and waste systems, or else the creation of new intermodal markets. The transition toward 5G has fundamentally changed the framing of sector coupling in network industries by underscoring the relevance of differentiating between horizontal and vertical sector coupling. Due to the fixed mobile convergence and the large open set of complementary use cases, 5G has taken on the characteristics of a generalized purpose technology (GPT) in its role as the enabler of a large variety of smart network applications. Due to this vertical relationship, characterized by pervasiveness and innovational complementarities between upstream 5G networks and downstream application sectors, vertical sector coupling between the provider of an upstream GPT and different downstream application industries has acquired particular relevance. In contrast to horizontal sector coupling among different application sectors, the driver of vertical sector coupling is that each of the heterogeneous application sectors requires a critical input from the upstream 5G network provider and combines this with its own downstream technology. Of particular relevance for vertical sector coupling are the innovational complementarities between upstream GPT and downstream application sectors. The focus on vertical sector coupling also has important policy implications. Although the evolution of 5G networks strongly depends on the entrepreneurial, market-driven activities of broadband network operators and application service providers, the future of 5G as a GPT is heavily contingent on the role of frequency management authorities and European regulatory policy with regard to data privacy and security regulations.

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