[Adirondackian]

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) purchased data from tracking companies to monitor compliance with lockdowns, according to contracts with the firms.


The CDC paid one firm $420,000 and another $208,000. That bought access to location data from at least 55 million cellphone users.

The contracts, approved under emergency review due to the COVID-19 pandemic, were aimed at providing the CDC “with the necessary data to continue critical emergency response functions elated to evaluating the impact of visits to key points of interest, stay at home orders, closures, re-openings and other public heath communications related to mask mandate, and other merging research areas on community transmission of SARS-CoV-2,” the contracts, obtained by The Epoch Times, state.

The CDC said it would be using the tracking data to “assess home-by-hour behaviors (i.e. curfew analysis) by exploring the percentage of mobile devices at home during specific period of time.” The data could also be integrated with other information “to provide a comprehensive picture of movement/travel of persons during the COVID-19 pandemic to better understand mandatory stay-at-home orders, business closure, school re-openings, and other non-pharmaceutical interventions in states and cities.”

Under a heading labeled “potential use cases” for the data, the CDC said it could be used to try to connect the forced closures of bars and restaurants with COVID-19 infections and death rates, as well as try to assess the impact of state restrictions on close contact between people outside of their home.

The data could also be used to monitor adherence to mandated or recommended quarantines after arrival from another state and to examine the correlation of mobility patterns and spikes in COVID-19 cases at facilities such as churches, concerts, and grocery stores. It would also enable examining movement restrictions such as curfews to show “patterns” and “compliance,” the contracts state.

The contracts were previously reported on by Vice News, but the outlet only released a screenshot of a single page. Together, the contracts run 71 pages. Both were signed in 2021."

People ask me why I dont have a cellphone, there's one reason amongst all the others.

 

[wdcutrsdaughter]

Personally, I think they overpaid for it.

 

[nodak3]

Yawn. Walmart buys your data. Lots of places buy your data tracking you. Simply a tool public health used not to hone in on and punish any individual, but to see what was actually happening.

Example: if they told everyone to stay home AND THEY DID but a virus spread, that tells you something about transmission method. If they told everyone to stay home and THEY DID NOT and the virus spread, that tells you something different. Tells you later on saying "Staying home does not work" is lying.

Sort of like the masking kerfuffle. People misread a recent report. What it said was that mask mandates were not enforced and were largely ignored, so THOSE did not reduce the spread of covid. Of course buried in the report was the fact that if everyone chose to wear an n95 when out and about we would have pretty much tanked the virus early on. And that even today if you choose to be more protected you can do so with a mask, more with a procedure mask, and even more with an n95. And if you care about not sharing your own potential virus with others and want to protect them, masks are cheap and effective way to go, even n95s.

But the media, both liberal and conservative, spun it into more "masks don't work" propaganda.

And for those so inclined, turn off tracking, or turn off tracking and your phone, or leave it home. Problem solved.

 

[Paumon]

I don't believe any of that report.

Everybody should get rid of their cell phones anyway. People who use cell phones are asking for trouble. There is nor real need for them.

.

 

[GTX63]

Until you have fallen and can't get up.

 

[Adirondackian]

Until you have fallen and can't get up.

Funny how generations of people managed to live without them.

 

[kinderfeld]

Funny how generations of people managed to live without them.

Generations of people lived without every modern convenience we have.

 

[kinderfeld]

There is nor real need for them.

That's subjective. "Need" is relative.

 

[Adirondackian]

Generations of people lived without every modern convenience we have.

Exactly, "convenience", not necessity. What happens when that convenience becomes a spy you keep in your pocket. Well, in the case of the cellphone, which is like an addictive drug, people make excuses as to why being tracked, spied on, manipulated and surveilled isnt so bad [ as long as they get their fix ].

 

[kinderfeld]

Exactly, "convenience", not necessity. What happens when that convenience becomes a spy you keep in your pocket. Well, in the case of the cellphone, which is like an addictive drug, people make excuses as to why being tracked, spied on, manipulated and surveilled isnt so bad [ as long as they get their fix ].

Not everyone is using it to post stupid pictures of their pets on social media.
For some, it is a necessity for productivity. Most modern businesses require communication via telephone. Some more so than others. Not everyone has time to sit by a landline. Communication plus mobility equals productivity.

 

[Adirondackian]

Not everyone is using it to post stupid pictures of their pets on social media.
For some, it is a necessity for productivity. Most modern businesses require communication via telephone. Some more so than others. Not everyone has time to sit by a landline. Communication plus mobility equals productivity.

99% of its use has nothing to do with productivity....except maybe by those who track and sell your every move. Even if it did [ for sake of argument ], you're willing to give up your freedom, your privacy, your power....for what? "Increased productivity"? Seriously?

If it made you more "productive" would you put a camera in your bedroom? In your shower? Where do you draw the line?

 

[painterswife]

There are several instances where a cell phone can be the difference life and death.

There are also many jobs where it can be essential to keeping a business running. IT for one.

 

[Adirondackian]

There are several instances where a cell phone can be the difference life and death.

There are also many jobs where it can be essential to keeping a business running. IT for one.

I hear this mantra all the time...there could be an emergency. So, 25 years ago we were all dancing on a ledge? I have never had a cellphone, my father never had a cellphone, my grandfather, etc, all the way back. And they all lived. Dad lived 86 years, grandpa lived a similar life...all without cellphones. Ive never had one...where are these emergencies?

You are all probably a little older than me, you all lived your lives just fine without cellphones before. You know thats just an excuse.

 

[painterswife]

I hear this mantra all the time...there could be an emergency. So, 25 years ago we were all dancing on a ledge? I have never had a cellphone, my father never had a cellphone, my grandfather, etc, all the way back. And they all lived. Dad lived 86 years, grandpa lived a similar life...all without cellphones. Ive never had one...where are these emergencies?

You are all probably a little older than me, you all lived your lives just fine without cellphones before. You know thats just an excuse.

How are door dash drivers supposed to know when they have a pickup?

The world has changed.

 

[Adirondackian]

How are door dash drivers supposed to know when they have a pickup?

The world has changed.

Is that a joke?

 

[kinderfeld]

99% of its use has nothing to do with productivity....

Seeing how you don't have one, how do you know what all it's used for?

except maybe by those who track and sell your every move.

That was being done before cell phones.

Even if it did [ for sake of argument ], you're willing to give up your freedom, your privacy, your power....for what? "Increased productivity"? Seriously?

No ifs about it. It is an excellent tool. Smart phones, anyway. Androids and IPhones. People call them phones. But they're not. They are actually a small computer with a telephone app.

If it made you more "productive" would you put a camera in your bedroom? In your shower? Where do you draw the line?

Some people make a pretty good living that way. Ever heard of Just For Fans?

I hear this mantra all the time...there could be an emergency. So, 25 years ago we were all dancing on a ledge? I have never had a cellphone, my father never had a cellphone, my grandfather, etc, all the way back. And they all lived. Dad lived 86 years, grandpa lived a similar life...all without cellphones. Ive never had one...where are these emergencies?

Some believe that it's best to have and not need it than to need it and not have it. Like a gun.

You are all probably a little older than me, you all lived your lives just fine without cellphones before. You know thats just an excuse.

The same has been said about every new tech that comes out. Cars, planes, computers, cell phones, etc. I think I heard someone say that cell phones were the mark of the beast or some such BS. But anyway, who's making excuses? I don't need to make excuses for my use of any tech. If I choose to use a smart phone, that's my business. Your choice not to is yours.

Is that a joke?

No. She's just giving an example of how cell phones have created more business opportunities.

 

[coolrunnin]

Is that a joke?

You do know door dash, Uber, etc al are the reason unemployment is so low right? All require a cell phone.

Truck stops don't have payphones anymore, the world changed. Just because you don't need one, doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of life

Sent from my SM-X200 using Homesteading Today mobile app

 

[Adirondackian]

You do know door dash, Uber, etc al are the reason unemployment is so low right? All require a cell phone.

Truck stops don't have payphones anymore, the world changed. Just because you don't need one, doesn't mean anything in the grand scheme of life

Sent from my SM-X200 using Homesteading Today mobile app

So its worth selling your soul "because the world has changed"? If the world changes and asks for your freedom, your privacy, your autonomy.... You just hand it over? What are you willing to stand up for? Anything at all?

The point that I dont need one, and I do well, proves that its very possible to function at a decent level without a cellphone. Its a sacrifice but when you really consider what you give up with the cellphone its not even a question. All these excuses sound so hollow "what if there is an emergency"..."Muh productivity"...."the world has changed [ whatever that means" ]...it's sounds extremely lame.

Its tracking you. Its spying on you, its reporting your purchases, your contracts, your where-abouts, your interests, etc, etc..to people who are abusing and manipulating you. Don't you value yourself at all?? Where's your self respect?

 

[painterswife]

So its worth selling your soul "because the world has changed"? If the world changes and asks for your freedom, your privacy, your autonomy.... You just hand it over? What are you willing to stand up for? Anything at all?

The point that I dont need one, and I do well, proves that its very possible to function at a decent level without a cellphone. Its a sacrifice but when you really consider what you give up with the cellphone its not even a question. All these excuses sound so hollow "what if there is an emergency"..."Muh productivity"...."the world has changed [ whatever that means" ]...it's sounds extremely lame.

Its tracking you. Its spying on you, its reporting your purchases, your contracts, your where-abouts, your interests, etc, etc..to people who are abusing and manipulating you. Don't you value yourself at all?? Where's your self respect?

We don't need cars, electricity, grocery stores, landlines, doctors but they sure come in handy.

This website is spying on you but you are still here.

 

[kinderfeld]

So its worth selling your soul "because the world has changed"? If the world changes and asks for your freedom, your privacy, your autonomy.... You just hand it over? What are you willing to stand up for? Anything at all?

Guess I don't feel like my soul is tethered to any electronic device. Haven't lost any freedom from the use of a cell phone. In fact, I do a lot more with it than without.

The point that I dont need one, and I do well, proves that its very possible to function at a decent level without a cellphone. Its a sacrifice but when you really consider what you give up with the cellphone its not even a question. All these excuses sound so hollow "what if there is an emergency"..."Muh productivity"...."the world has changed [ whatever that means" ]...it's sounds extremely lame.

You forgot more opportunities. More freedoms.

Its tracking you. Its spying on you, its reporting your purchases, your contracts, your where-abouts, your interests, etc, etc..to people who are abusing and manipulating you. Don't you value yourself at all?? Where's your self respect?

There are many ways that all of that is tracked. Including, but certainly not limited to cell phones.