[talk] COVID-19 testing without proprietary software

[Raul Cuza]

On Tue, Aug 17, 2021 at 1:48 PM Pete Wright <pete at nomadlogic.org> wrote:
> On 8/17/21 10:32 AM, George Rosamond wrote:
> > On 8/17/21 12:15 PM, Pete Wright wrote:
> >>
> >>
> >> On 8/17/21 8:44 AM, Charles Sprickman wrote:
> >>> I recently bought a few Binax Now tests and there was no software
> >>> (or reporting) requirement.
> >> me too - i also liked how i didn't need to scrape my inner cranium to
> >> get a sample for the test.
> >
> > Oh, I think you're going to miss having your brain scrapped through
> > your nose with a wooden QTip.
> >
> > I wasn't aware of the Binax, but as is the "rule" with open source, is
> > it supported as legit by those who require tests?
>
> it is def not approved for use to prove you are covid-19 free for
> traveling for example, but based on what i read on the internet it seems
> like a pretty reliable canary.  my kid was feeling sick so we all took
> the test and it came back negative, our plan was if it was positive we'd
> then reach out to our Dr. and start self isolating.
>
> we are pretty paranoid in general (never stopped wearing masks, etc.) -
> but it did give us a bit of piece of mind.
>
> >
> > Honestly, when it comes to healthcare, it seems the more it's
> > regulated for privacy, the less privacy there is.
> >
> > I mean:
> >
> > http://mirrors.nycbug.org/pub/presentations/20210707-anonymity/mgp00034.html
> >
> >
> > I also wrote a blog post related for $work, but am not posting any
> > $work URLs here. Hit me offlist if you want a good example of how
> > crappy the picture is.
> >
> > The punch line is this: you need *my* DoB to get someone a gift
> > certificate for a facial, but it's okay since that Windows computer on
> > your desk is "secure" and you're regulated by HIPAA?
> >
>
> that's "funny" - i'm shocked major advertising companies would game
> systems like this :)  i'm actually working through a HIPAA audit now and
> I'm often torn between "this just seems like a generally good security
> practice" and "well this is just a public works project to keep people
> like me employed".
>
> -p
>
> --
> Pete Wright
> pete at nomadlogic.org
> @nomadlogicLA

I took a test on the streets of brooklyn. All I had to do was provide
a valid email address. All the other info I gave them "had typos" in
it. I was also provided a unique code which I could use to go to a web
site. There I had to enter some of the info as I entered it on the
form.

I am not sure if this process ran proprietary software or not. I know
I was not required to run anything except an email client or web
browser to get my results.

- Raúl