Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing technology

Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by graeme on Friday April 10, 2020 @01:55PM (#22835508)

Thinking big, if this works against covid: could it later be used to severely limit or eliminate diseases such as the common cold and the flu?

That would be an incredible win for humanity.

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Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by buboard on Friday April 10, 2020 @07:45PM (#22838525)

but we would lose herd immunity for the flu

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Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by hdjrork on Friday April 10, 2020 @02:46PM (#22836123)

Nobody does contact tracing for flu, let alone common cold (which is caused by a bunch of different viruses)

Also, common cold mortality is extremely low.

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Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by disgruntledphd2 on Friday April 10, 2020 @03:24PM (#22836452)

We could, though, It's not practical today, but it's definitely something that humanity could achieve, especially with technology like this.

Even if it's not the most important thing we could do, eliminating influenza and the common cold would be pretty fricking awesome.

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Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by Beefin on Friday April 10, 2020 @06:27PM (#22837966)

He's saying that because this technology will exist, the possibility will exist. Plus this will no doubt not be the last emerging virus.

To answer your Q, Op: yes. Provided Apple/Google doesn't remove the functionality in a later software update.

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Re:Apple and Google partner on Covid-19 contact tracing tech... by SlowRobotAhead on Friday April 10, 2020 @01:57PM (#22835538)

Could the cons be as incredible as the pros?

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