WA Notify

WA Notify is the official COVID-19 exposure-notifications software for Washington State and Department of Health (DOH). The app is an instance of the Exposure Notifications Express platform developed by Apple and Google and configured by DOH.

Your voluntary use of WA Notify will help anonymously alert you and fellow users in Washington state who may have been near someone with a positive COVID-19 diagnosis. When you enable WA Notify, you are doing your part to help your community slow the spread of COVID-19.

Brief

WA Notify is a digital tool designed to augment the efforts of Washington State in curbing the spread of COVID-19. The app leverages Apple and Google's Exposure Notifications framework to alert users if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, all while prioritizing user privacy and battery efficiency.

Core Features

• 📲 Exposure Notifications: Exchange of anonymous identifiers between devices to alert users of possible exposure to COVID-19.
• 🔋 Energy Efficient: Works seamlessly in the background without significant battery drain.
• 🛡️ Privacy Protection: Ensures no personal or location data is associated with the identifiers.
• 🗝️ Verification Codes: Utilizes verification codes for accurate reporting of positive COVID-19 cases.
• 🔄 Automatic Deactivation: The tool will be removed from operating systems when no longer needed.

Pros

• 👥 Enhanced Public Safety: Assists in reducing COVID-19 transmission by timely notifying individuals of exposures.
• 🔒 Robust Privacy: Operates without compromising user identity or location information.
• 🤝 State-Supported: Backed by the Washington State Department of Health for trustworthy communication.
• 🆓 Free to Use: Available at no cost to the residents of Washington state.
• ♻️ Respect for User Choice: Only activates with user consent and ensures transparency in its function.

Cons

• 📍 Location-Specific: Primarily benefits residents within Washington state.
• 📱 Tech Requirements: Requires up-to-date Apple or Google operating systems.
• ❔ Dependence on User Reporting: Effectiveness hinges on users voluntarily reporting their positive test results.
• ⏲️ Response Timeliness: Potential delays between exposure, testing, and notification can occur.
• 🤷 Public Adoption: Full potential only realized with widespread community adoption.

Price

💵 The WA Notify app is available for free, with no additional in-app purchases.

Given the nature of WA Notify as a non-game public health tool, the Community section is not included in this description.