The $20 million federal COVID Alert app was discontinued due to lack of interest, according to a federal report..Only a fraction of Canadians used the app despite the prime minister repeatedly claiming it was their civic duty to download it..“The app was not being utilized to a huge extent,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer. “Not all innovations might work,” she added..Tam called the failed program “a good go at trying to utilize another tool in the current era of apps to try and protect the population.” The app was officially decommissioned last Friday..“I’m sure there will be lessons learned because it would be nice to be able to use some of these newer technologies as part of our ongoing management of outbreaks and pandemics,” said Tam. “But we are where we are.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, the federal government announced the COVID Alert program June 18, 2020 after budgeting an initial $16.5 million to develop and promote it..Smartphone users who tested positive were asked to upload the information using a key code that would trigger alerts to other smartphone users with whom they had contact..“The more people use it, the better it can trace and therefore slow the spread of the virus,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters at the time. “In fact, health experts say if enough people sign up this app can help prevent future outbreaks of Covid-19 in Canada.”.“Is there a level you’re trying to hit in terms of the number of people downloading the app?” asked a reporter. “If we can talk about a 50% uptake for example, or more, then it becomes extraordinarily useful,” replied Trudeau..“If you don’t get that 50% or higher is there a Plan B?” asked a reporter. “What we are doing, as it is, continues,” replied Trudeau..Records show of 33 million mobile device users in Canada only 6,951,575 downloaded the app, about 21%. Of 3,897,879 Canadians known to test positive for the coronavirus only 63,117, less than 2%, reported it using COVID Alert..“Usage remained limited,” said a federal COVID App Advisory Council report. “Several challenges persisted which prevented the app from reaching its full potential.”.“COVID Alert was unable to reach its full potential due to technological, adoption, process, resource and individual level factors,” said the Final Report: COVID Alert As A Public Health Tool..A 2021 survey by the Department of Health found only 20% of smartphone users said they were “very likely” to use the app. When asked why, respondents said they considered it ineffective (22%), called it “an invasion of privacy” (30%), said “I don’t want the government to have access to my location data” (30%) and concluded “I don’t trust the government to handle my data” (34%), said a COVID Alert App Exploratory And Concept Testing Final Report..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
The $20 million federal COVID Alert app was discontinued due to lack of interest, according to a federal report..Only a fraction of Canadians used the app despite the prime minister repeatedly claiming it was their civic duty to download it..“The app was not being utilized to a huge extent,” said Dr. Theresa Tam, chief public health officer. “Not all innovations might work,” she added..Tam called the failed program “a good go at trying to utilize another tool in the current era of apps to try and protect the population.” The app was officially decommissioned last Friday..“I’m sure there will be lessons learned because it would be nice to be able to use some of these newer technologies as part of our ongoing management of outbreaks and pandemics,” said Tam. “But we are where we are.”.According to Blacklock's Reporter, the federal government announced the COVID Alert program June 18, 2020 after budgeting an initial $16.5 million to develop and promote it..Smartphone users who tested positive were asked to upload the information using a key code that would trigger alerts to other smartphone users with whom they had contact..“The more people use it, the better it can trace and therefore slow the spread of the virus,” Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters at the time. “In fact, health experts say if enough people sign up this app can help prevent future outbreaks of Covid-19 in Canada.”.“Is there a level you’re trying to hit in terms of the number of people downloading the app?” asked a reporter. “If we can talk about a 50% uptake for example, or more, then it becomes extraordinarily useful,” replied Trudeau..“If you don’t get that 50% or higher is there a Plan B?” asked a reporter. “What we are doing, as it is, continues,” replied Trudeau..Records show of 33 million mobile device users in Canada only 6,951,575 downloaded the app, about 21%. Of 3,897,879 Canadians known to test positive for the coronavirus only 63,117, less than 2%, reported it using COVID Alert..“Usage remained limited,” said a federal COVID App Advisory Council report. “Several challenges persisted which prevented the app from reaching its full potential.”.“COVID Alert was unable to reach its full potential due to technological, adoption, process, resource and individual level factors,” said the Final Report: COVID Alert As A Public Health Tool..A 2021 survey by the Department of Health found only 20% of smartphone users said they were “very likely” to use the app. When asked why, respondents said they considered it ineffective (22%), called it “an invasion of privacy” (30%), said “I don’t want the government to have access to my location data” (30%) and concluded “I don’t trust the government to handle my data” (34%), said a COVID Alert App Exploratory And Concept Testing Final Report..This is what the Western Standard is up againstThe Trudeau government is funding lies and propaganda by directly subsidizing the mainstream media. They do this to entrench the powerful Eastern, woke and corrupt interests that dominate the political, social and economic institutions in Canada. Federal authorities are constantly trying to censor us and stop us from publishing the stories that they don’t want you to read. Ottawa may weaponize our taxes and police against us, but we’ve got a powerful ally on our side.You. Free men, and free women. We need you to stand with us and become a member of the Western Standard. Here’s what you will get for your membership:Unlimited access to all articles from the Western Standard, Alberta Report, West Coast Standard, and Saskatchewan Standard, with no paywall. Our daily newsletter delivered to your inbox. .Access to exclusive Member-only WS events.Keep the West’s leading independent media voice strong and free.If you can, please support us with a monthly or annual membership. It takes just a moment to set up, and you will be making a big impact on keeping one the last independent media outlets in Canada free from Ottawa’s corrupting influence.
