The spread of the government-initiated smartphone app that alerts users that they may have been in close proximity to someone infected with the novel coronavirus has been sluggish.
It is hoped that, taking into account the app's very nature, which is that the more people use it, the more effective it becomes, a system to promote its use will be established.
The contact-confirming app, called COCOA, uses the Bluetooth short-range wireless communication technology to detect and record contact between users at a distance of one meter or less for 15 minutes or more.
If an app user tests positive and registers the result with the government's management system via the app, a notice will be sent to other users who have come into contact with the user within the previous 14 days.
It is expected that those who receive the notification will take polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, take care of their health and refrain from going out, among other steps, which will lead to containing the spread of the coronavirus. It would also be effective in striking a balance with economic activities.
However, since the start of the project about two months ago, the app has been downloaded about 15.01 million times, in the range of just 10% to 20% of the population. Some estimate that 40% or 60% of the population will need to use the app to make it more effective, so the current situation is not sufficient.
What is important is to make people thoroughly aware of the usefulness of the app and remove barriers to its spread.
So far, each local government has dealt with notifying people of contact in different ways. In some cases, even those who received the notice that they might have come into contact with others who tested positive and consulted with public health centers were not allowed to take a test if they had no symptoms.
On Aug. 21, the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry gave an official notice to local governments to ask them to provide free tests to app users who received the contact notice and wish to do so. The central and local governments need to expand the testing system to prevent confusion at the front line.
There have only been 428 positive registrations through the app. Some point out that even when the low penetration rate is taken into consideration, the figure is too small. Even if they are found to be positive, many people may hesitate to register the result with the management system, fearing that some in society might try to discover infected people.
Those who tested positive or have come into contact with such people must not be subject to discrimination. It is also important to protect personal information.
No name or phone number is registered in the app. In addition, if those who test positive register the result, their personal identification information is not sent to others who have come into contact with them. Unlike other countries, such as China, the authorities do not collect personal information.
The government needs to more carefully explain the mechanism of such privacy protection and the information management system in order to increase trust in the app.
Cooperation from the private sector is also essential. Hopefully, companies, universities, medical institutions and facilities for the elderly will consider using the app as part of measures to prevent the emergence of infection clusters.
-- The original Japanese article appeared in The Yomiuri Shimbun on Aug. 27, 2020.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
