COVID-19 Contact Tracing: A Hidden Majority

According to researches at Oxford University, we would need more than half the population to use COVID tracing apps for it to be an effective form of combating the virus (Drakopoulos 2020). This ideology would follow a popular term of late, herd immunity, which is when a large portion of the community is immune to a virus that prevents it from spreading. Considering that most Canadians would be open to the idea of downloading a tracing app, one wonders where the disconnect has been (Turcotte et al. 2020). The majority of recent cases in Ontario have been people under the age of 40, and with this in mind, it is evident that it is this demographic who are socializing and interacting in larger circles. If most of this demographic were to download this app, it might prove efficient. It is safe to assume that there is a lack of social distancing and other public health regulations being followed at most of these social gatherings. This could be why what looks like the "second wave" emerging, and it needs to be addressed sooner rather than later. 

If the government of Canada could focus their efforts on all adults under the age of 40 to download and use the COVID tracing app, this may prove useful. It may control the majority of COVID cases by getting a majority of these people to be on the app. According to Statistics Canada, young people between the ages of 15 and 24 are significantly more likely to not follow social distancing guidelines and avoid large gathers (Turcotte et al. 2020). This is where the media could come into effect in attempting to reinforce these rules in the mentality of the younger population. In 2012, almost 90% of people between the ages of 16 to 24 stated using social media (Statistics Canada 2012). Eight years later, and following the historical rising in social media users, it is accurate to say that this number is closer to 100%. What this means for contract tracing in Canada is that the media and government should use their social media platforms to help young Canadians know the importance of contract tracing and social distancing guidelines. 

Sources

Drakopoulos, K. (2020, August 13). The Logic Around Contact Tracing Apps Is All Wrong. Retrieved           from https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-the-logic-around-contact-tracing-apps-is-all-wrong/

Statistics Canada. (2012). Internet use by frequency of use, age group and sex. Retrieved from                         https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=2710001801

Turcotte, M., Aitken, N., & Yang, F. (2020, July 31). The willingness of Canadians to use a contact                 tracing application Retrieved from https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/45-28-                                       0001/2020001/article/00059-eng.htm



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