Public emergency alert - being sent to your phone
Discussion
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hstewie said:
hstewie said:johnboy1975 said:
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: Imagine actually being surprised that one of the emergencies the Government might want to use an emergency alert system to alert people about is a public health emergency.
fking hell 
Let's say this warning system came in 4 years ago. How do you envisage it being used during the covid years?f
king hell A: Everytime the case rate went over 2000 cases per 100,00 people, area specific? (You could find this info out, sans sirens, if you were minded to do so)
B: Just for the initial lockdown? (Most of the population were aware Boris was doing a broadcast)
C: Carefully so as to avoid panic?
(You're aware of the plan, as such, to force compliance through fear?) https://12ft.io/proxy?q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.telegrap... said:
SPI-B warned in March last year that ministers needed to increase “the perceived level of personal threat” from Covid-19 because “a substantial number of people still do not feel sufficiently personally threatened”.
You're not a Boris fan, I seem to recall...yet you trust him to use it judiciously??And (important to this thread) - how would it have added to our "armoury"?
When the various NHS apps came out in the pandemic I put them on my phone.
I'd pretty much forgotten that I even had them on my phone until yesterday (or perhaps Thursday) when the NHS app popped up a notification that it was closing down in April.
That's a full on Covid app 100% at the mercy of the Government with all that potential for misuse over 2-3 years and even at the height of the pandemic I don't remember it being misused.
I think that ought to put some fears to rest but to put it politely some people seem so far down the hole I don't think they know which way is up any more.
Getragdogleg said:
Three, "It's going to be a bit cold/wet and this sodding thing has just honked its tits off again like its the end of the world, sod this, I'm turning it off".
Why do you think the system will be used for such benign events? It’s not anywhere else, so why would it be different in the UK? Or is it just grrrr, authorities, nanny state, ID cards, grrrr? I think we already know the answer.Edited by dvs_dave on Saturday 1st April 22:04
Disastrous said:
xx99xx said:
Disastrous said:
I’m not even going to address that nonsense - what if I was asleep? Seriously?? I’d either wake up or not. What would you do?
Humanity is actually doomed. How do you guys find your way out the house in the morning?
Me? I'd get woken up by the emergency alert on my phone. Then I'd have a check of the internet and decide what to do, if anything, next.
Not sure how you'd instinctively wake up if a cloud of chlorine gas was heading your way, or a torrent of floodwater. Unless your room mates in your dorm have their alerts switched on and it wakes you up?
You’ve just conjured that up now but tbh, if I’m asleep and an imaginary gas cloud is heading my way there's probably not much I can do about it.
You can crack on ask the internet for help though. It may save your life!
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-03-23/several...
You may have also missed references to Ulley Dam, East Coast Surge etc where alerts may have been useful. Not useful to you though, because you probably don't live near those places and you're prepared for anything at all times and know what will or won't happen in the future. How dare the government introduce a warning service that doesn't reflect your personal life experiences!
Keep being hilarious though, this place needs more jokers like you to lighten up the serious bits.
KAgantua said:
I actually think these are a good idea... in countries with extreme weather (The States, for example) and risk of flooding/ tornadoes/ wildfires.
The UK has none of these, and its this same attitude that ensures we collectively lose our st at some... minus temperatures. Or.... a little bit of snow...
It’s laughable really. My GF is Polish and she tells me they laugh at the UK and how we lose our st over a bit of weather.
The UK isn’t as prone to extreme weather events as many places, but dangerous flooding (for example) is certainly not uncommon. Sometimes disastrously. Eg Boscastle flood. And the UK unfortunately suffers more than it fair share of terrorist attacks. And major industrial toxic fume accidents (e.g Buncefield, scrap fires, etc) aren’t uncommon either. Events which are right in the sweet spot of what such localised capable alert systems are for.The UK has none of these, and its this same attitude that ensures we collectively lose our s
t at some... minus temperatures. Or.... a little bit of snow...It’s laughable really. My GF is Polish and she tells me they laugh at the UK and how we lose our s
t over a bit of weather.But for those who think it’s going to be used to warn of irrelevancies that you easily see for yourself such as the occasional light drizzle so that you can tell everyone that you told them so, you’ll have a long wait.
Or, you know, just turn it off and get back to dominating the stairs.
dvs_dave said:
Getragdogleg said:
Three, "It's going to be a bit cold/wet and this sodding thing has just honked its tits off again like its the end of the world, sod this, I'm turning it off".
Why do you think the system will be used for such benign events? It’s not anywhere else, so why would it be different in the UK? Or is it just grrrr, authorities, nanny state, grrrr? I think we already know the answer.I dipped out of this thread for a while because its all gone a bit "religious" on here, from both sides.
The truth is somewhere in the middle, I don't trust the Govt not to use it for something daft, maybe not at first but at some point we will likely get "climate crisis" alerts or "speed kills-slow down" style warnings. But I don't think its part of some wider conspiracy to enslave us in a tech prison either.
I turned it off, my phone is on silent the whole time I am at home anyway because I have a severely mentally disabled son, we have to keep intrusive stuff to a minimum to keep him on an even keel and not stressed. I don't want something bypassing my silent settings with a big noise.
If a text comes through, ill possibly check it. I'm sure if its proper serious one of the neighbours will knock the door.
xx99xx said:
Try reading the whole thread (and reading up on what these alerts are used for and how they're issued) before embarrassing yourself even more. Here's the link I posted last Tuesday, as an example of when these alerts might be useful for the targeted area:
https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-03-23/several...
You may have also missed references to Ulley Dam, East Coast Surge etc where alerts may have been useful. Not useful to you though, because you probably don't live near those places and you're prepared for anything at all times and know what will or won't happen in the future. How dare the government introduce a warning service that doesn't reflect your personal life experiences!
Keep being hilarious though, this place needs more jokers like you to lighten up the serious bits.
You obviously feel very strongly about this, so I’ll try not to take the piss but I had quoted dvs_dave who was all in favour of alerts because they let him park his car out the rain. You waded in with the chlorine gas thing but having read the article I’m none the wiser as to what the alert would have done. The people who were affected were inside the building where the leak happened, no?https://www.itv.com/news/london/2022-03-23/several...
You may have also missed references to Ulley Dam, East Coast Surge etc where alerts may have been useful. Not useful to you though, because you probably don't live near those places and you're prepared for anything at all times and know what will or won't happen in the future. How dare the government introduce a warning service that doesn't reflect your personal life experiences!
Keep being hilarious though, this place needs more jokers like you to lighten up the serious bits.
Anyway, rather than snipe at me, you might notice that I’d actually already posted way back at the start of the thread saying that I don’t think these are any sort of a big deal, but what’s more concerning is that so many of the population have such little trust in the government that they actively resist/resent this.
I’ll just turn mine off because I’d rather be left alone but it’s got to be worrying how many people are angry about it?
Finally, I reserve the right to judge anyone who needs gov text messages to manage their own safety thanks.
dvs_dave said:
KAgantua said:
I actually think these are a good idea... in countries with extreme weather (The States, for example) and risk of flooding/ tornadoes/ wildfires.
The UK has none of these, and its this same attitude that ensures we collectively lose our st at some... minus temperatures. Or.... a little bit of snow...
It’s laughable really. My GF is Polish and she tells me they laugh at the UK and how we lose our st over a bit of weather.
The UK isn’t as prone to extreme weather events as many places, but dangerous flooding (for example) is certainly not uncommon. Sometimes disastrously. Eg Boscastle flood. And the UK unfortunately suffers more than it fair share of terrorist attacks. And major industrial toxic fume accidents (e.g Buncefield, scrap fires, etc) aren’t uncommon either. Events which are right in the sweet spot of what such localised capable alert systems are for.The UK has none of these, and its this same attitude that ensures we collectively lose our s
t at some... minus temperatures. Or.... a little bit of snow...It’s laughable really. My GF is Polish and she tells me they laugh at the UK and how we lose our s
t over a bit of weather.But for those who think it’s going to be used to warn of irrelevancies that you easily see for yourself such as the occasional light drizzle so that you can tell everyone that you told them so, you’ll have a long wait.
Or, you know, just turn it off and get back to dominating the stairs.
Disastrous said:
You obviously feel very strongly about this, so I’ll try not to take the piss but I had quoted dvs_dave who was all in favour of alerts because they let him park his car out the rain. You waded in with the chlorine gas thing but having read the article I’m none the wiser as to what the alert would have done. The people who were affected were inside the building where the leak happened, no?
Anyway, rather than snipe at me, you might notice that I’d actually already posted way back at the start of the thread saying that I don’t think these are any sort of a big deal, but what’s more concerning is that so many of the population have such little trust in the government that they actively resist/resent this.
I’ll just turn mine off because I’d rather be left alone but it’s got to be worrying how many people are angry about it?
Finally, I reserve the right to judge anyone who needs gov text messages to manage their own safety thanks.
Anyway, rather than snipe at me, you might notice that I’d actually already posted way back at the start of the thread saying that I don’t think these are any sort of a big deal, but what’s more concerning is that so many of the population have such little trust in the government that they actively resist/resent this.
I’ll just turn mine off because I’d rather be left alone but it’s got to be worrying how many people are angry about it?
Finally, I reserve the right to judge anyone who needs gov text messages to manage their own safety thanks.
RE: the gas thing. Emergency services had to inform residents to keep windows and doors closed. The alert system could've been useful for doing that. That was my thinking.
Whether that would've been a 'risk to life' incident is debatable but it's the principle that is worth highlighting, that we just don't know what incidents are going to happen in the future yet there will definitely be some where an alert will be of some use to minimise impacts to some people.
dvs_dave said:
Getragdogleg said:
Three, "It's going to be a bit cold/wet and this sodding thing has just honked its tits off again like its the end of the world, sod this, I'm turning it off".
Why do you think the system will be used for such benign events? It’s not anywhere else, so why would it be different in the UK? Or is it just grrrr, authorities, nanny state, ID cards, grrrr? I think we already know the answer.Edited by dvs_dave on Saturday 1st April 22:04
As traffic signs they were great. But now grossly misused. How much more evidence do you need?
xx99xx said:
What if you were asleep? Or do you set an alarm for every hour so you can check social media/your news source of choice through the night? I'm guessing you don't and you don't feel the need to based on your experience of not being affected by a risk to life emergency so far.
Some things can happen with no warning though as it's not just about weather. And even if it was weather related, not everyone is as diligent in being aware of breaking news. I suspect an alert system was far easier to implement than an education campaign to get everyone, residents and visitors, to watch/read news more frequently.
Do you really take your phone to bed with you?Some things can happen with no warning though as it's not just about weather. And even if it was weather related, not everyone is as diligent in being aware of breaking news. I suspect an alert system was far easier to implement than an education campaign to get everyone, residents and visitors, to watch/read news more frequently.
monkfish1 said:
xx99xx said:
monkfish1 said:
Do you really take your phone to bed with you?
Most people do.I speak only for myself, but generally going to bed is to go to sleep.
You say most do. Did you make that up or is there evidence?
https://www.stylist.co.uk/life/phones-in-bed-damag...
74 percent keeping a device within reach:
https://parade.com/health/sleeping-with-phone-next...
71% of smartphone owners sleep with or next to their mobile phones on a typical night:
https://www.shieldyourbody.com/sleep-phone/
Google will provide plenty of other surveys.
In terms of what for, most people, I'd imagine, use the phone as an alarm clock. A lot of people also read before going to bed. It used to be paper books, these days it's phones.
Disastrous said:
You obviously feel very strongly about this, so I’ll try not to take the piss but I had quoted dvs_dave who was all in favour of alerts because they let him park his car out the rain. You waded in with the chlorine gas thing but having read the article I’m none the wiser as to what the alert would have done. The people who were affected were inside the building where the leak happened, no?
Anyway, rather than snipe at me, you might notice that I’d actually already posted way back at the start of the thread saying that I don’t think these are any sort of a big deal, but what’s more concerning is that so many of the population have such little trust in the government that they actively resist/resent this.
I’ll just turn mine off because I’d rather be left alone but it’s got to be worrying how many people are angry about it?
Finally, I reserve the right to judge anyone who needs gov text messages to manage their own safety thanks.
That would be a sensible end to it, as for someone who doesn’t care, you seem to care very much.Anyway, rather than snipe at me, you might notice that I’d actually already posted way back at the start of the thread saying that I don’t think these are any sort of a big deal, but what’s more concerning is that so many of the population have such little trust in the government that they actively resist/resent this.
I’ll just turn mine off because I’d rather be left alone but it’s got to be worrying how many people are angry about it?
Finally, I reserve the right to judge anyone who needs gov text messages to manage their own safety thanks.
johnboy1975 said:
bhstewie said:
hstewie said: I'm not a Johnson fan in the slightest but I can separate out what I think of the man from what I think of the idea of this system if used correctly.
When the various NHS apps came out in the pandemic I put them on my phone.
I'd pretty much forgotten that I even had them on my phone until yesterday (or perhaps Thursday) when the NHS app popped up a notification that it was closing down in April.
That's a full on Covid app 100% at the mercy of the Government with all that potential for misuse over 2-3 years and even at the height of the pandemic I don't remember it being misused.
I think that ought to put some fears to rest but to put it politely some people seem so far down the hole I don't think they know which way is up any more.
So, as per Rizzos answer, you seem to be alighting on option B. Which is fine (and the correct answer) but not that useful I'd say...When the various NHS apps came out in the pandemic I put them on my phone.
I'd pretty much forgotten that I even had them on my phone until yesterday (or perhaps Thursday) when the NHS app popped up a notification that it was closing down in April.
That's a full on Covid app 100% at the mercy of the Government with all that potential for misuse over 2-3 years and even at the height of the pandemic I don't remember it being misused.
I think that ought to put some fears to rest but to put it politely some people seem so far down the hole I don't think they know which way is up any more.
If you don't think an alerting system is any use that's fair enough but that isn't what you seemed to be on about with all that stuff suggesting it would have been misused during the pandemic.
Sway said:
768 said:
And to combat this we've spent millions on sending a text message. In a world where you could choose to instead buy flood defences.
How many 'millions' has it cost?Got figures?
This thread is hilarious! How do some people get through the day (and night...)
You've got to be joking, surely? After the last 3 years, that's the last thing I'm going to do!
Education plans to get us to watch more news? I never realized that the Government cared so much about us.
xx99xx said:
Some things can happen with no warning though as it's not just about weather. And even if it was weather related, not everyone is as diligent in being aware of breaking news. I suspect an alert system was far easier to implement than an education campaign to get everyone, residents and visitors, to watch/read news more frequently
You've got to be joking, surely? After the last 3 years, that's the last thing I'm going to do!
Education plans to get us to watch more news? I never realized that the Government cared so much about us.
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