A Sick iPhone App

on September 3, 2009 at 7:31 AM

A disease-tracking iPhone app.

I'm tossing this one in the ridiculous iPhone app category. A new application, Outbreaks Near Me, allows neurotic concerned citizens and moms to pinpoint outbreaks of disease, like the swine flu, in their area.

Created by researchers at Children's Hospital Boston in collaboration with the MIT Media Lab, users can track diseases in their area in real time. (Because you really need this information then and there.)

And by all means, if you come down with some scary communicable disease, plug it in so your phone can tell everyone!

Yes, I'm being sarcastic, but I just don't think this does anything but feed public fear. Let the epidemiologists do their job and let me raise my kids without the fear that danger may be lurking around the next corner all the time.

Would you ever download this application? Could this really help protect you and your family safe on a day to day basis?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: illness, in the news, products

Comments (5)

aurorabunny

on Sep 3, 2009 at 8:34 AM

Silly. For Swine Flu at least...most people suspected of having it aren't even being tested anymore.

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Lanasmom

on Sep 3, 2009 at 10:07 AM

I guess i could possibly see the use if you were planning a trip somewhere and wanted to see if that town/state etc. was currently experiencing a big outbreak, then you might choose to go somewhere else.

rozepyle

on Sep 3, 2009 at 12:57 PM

im definately telling hubby not to add this to his iphone the last thing i need is to freak out about who has swine flu where

KELLI2L

on Sep 5, 2009 at 12:25 PM

Ridiculous is exactly right. . . .

This iPod application is very questionable too. . . . Does the CDC (Centers for Disease Control) need that much help? If so, then they should pay people to use it. Except - that would be helping BigBrother wouldn't it? Why would anyone buy this application? It could prove to be very troublesome. . . . . .