Apple releases COVID-19 app, website based on CDC guidance
Apple has launched a new app, and a website, with resources to help people stay informed, and take the proper steps to protect their health during the spread of COVID-19.
Apple's COVID-19 app
Apple's free COVID-19 app helps users assess risk factors, recent exposure, and symptoms. Following answering the questionnaire, the app will provide the CDC's recommendations on the next steps to take. This includes whether or not a test is recommended at this time, and when to contact a medical provider.
Users of the app, or visitors to the website will also receive answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19, including who is most at risk and how to recognize symptoms. In addition, they will learn the most up-to-date information from the CDC such as best practices for washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and monitoring symptoms related to the coronavirus.
The new COVID-19 app, available on the App Store, and website were created in partnership with the CDC, the Coronavirus Task Force, and FEMA, to make it easy for people across the US to get trusted information and guidance at a time when the country's healthcare system is feeling the heavy burden of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 app and website were built to keep all user data private and secure. The tools do not require a sign-in or association with a user's Apple ID, and users' individual responses will not be sent to Apple or any government organization.
Apple also notes that travelers landing at select international airports throughout the US started receiving notifications on their iPhone to remind them of current CDC guidance to stay home and monitor their health.
Apple's COVID-19 app
Apple's free COVID-19 app helps users assess risk factors, recent exposure, and symptoms. Following answering the questionnaire, the app will provide the CDC's recommendations on the next steps to take. This includes whether or not a test is recommended at this time, and when to contact a medical provider.
Users of the app, or visitors to the website will also receive answers to frequently asked questions about COVID-19, including who is most at risk and how to recognize symptoms. In addition, they will learn the most up-to-date information from the CDC such as best practices for washing hands, disinfecting surfaces, and monitoring symptoms related to the coronavirus.
To help you stay informed, understand symptoms and take proper steps to protect your health, Apple has created a COVID-19 website and a US app in partnership with the CDC. As always, the data is yours and your privacy is protected. Stay safe and healthy. https://t.co/qUEMYOzZUC
— Tim Cook (@tim_cook)
The new COVID-19 app, available on the App Store, and website were created in partnership with the CDC, the Coronavirus Task Force, and FEMA, to make it easy for people across the US to get trusted information and guidance at a time when the country's healthcare system is feeling the heavy burden of COVID-19.
The COVID-19 app and website were built to keep all user data private and secure. The tools do not require a sign-in or association with a user's Apple ID, and users' individual responses will not be sent to Apple or any government organization.
Apple also notes that travelers landing at select international airports throughout the US started receiving notifications on their iPhone to remind them of current CDC guidance to stay home and monitor their health.
Comments
Canada's equivalent agency should have a website and maybe an app. If they want to collaborate and do a special COVID-19 app, it's up to them. Apple is an American company.
Sadly, the app is only available to those running iOS 13.1 or later. People running earlier iOS versions cannot use it.
That is piss poor execution.
Sorry Apple, you cannot extort me this way into installing iOS 13.
Gee, the CDC and WHO can write iOS apps that support iOS 12 and earlier. Red Cross? FEMA? My healthcare provider? TSA?
Why can't Apple do the same with this app? After all, they still write other iOS apps that work with older versions of iOS. They just released an iOS 12 update for my iPod touch 6th generation. And they can't make this compatible with anything prior to iOS 13.1?
I am willing to bet a buffalo nickel that there are more iOS developers on this planet who have written apps that support previous versions of iOS.
Again, this is piss poor execution by Apple on the iOS app development side. They might end up eventually realizing this and rewriting the app to support older versions of iOS.
This is about as dumb as Bank of America, United Airlines, Chase, Amazon, Google, Microsoft or Fidelity only releasing their iOS apps for users running iOS 13.1 or later. "Oh, just use the mobile website if you have an earlier version."
Sorry, defending Apple's shortsightedness in this case is ludicrous.
Please stop spreading misinformation.