Clear wants to help businesses track employee COVID-19 cases
Clear plans to join the fight against the spread of COVID-19 by bringing health reporting technology to the workplace.
The privately owned biometric identity platform is best known for its expedited airport security screening. The company plans to use the same technology to track self-reported health data in the workplace.
Here's how it would work:
Step 1: Download the Clear app to your phone and enroll in Health Pass. Verify your identity and link any partner accounts. In the near future, you'll be able to upload or link your coronavirus-related test results.
Step 2: When you enter a building or venue that requires health clearance, snap a selfie within the location to verify your identity on site. Then complete a real-time health quiz and provide your secure health information via the QR code.
Step 3: Once your identity has been verified and your health results are linked to that profile, walk up to a Clear pod and use either facial recognition or your QR code to share your verified health status. You'll also be asked to check your temperature and gain touchless access. The only information your employer or venue will receive is a yes/no on your health screening; other sensitive details will not be passed along.
Where can I use Health Pass by Clear?
Health Pass doesn't have a roster of partner businesses, although Clear told media company Axios that potential partners include restaurateur Danny Meyer, the New York Mets and the Las Vegas COVID-19 recovery task force. Members could already use Clear outside of the airport at a number of locations — at least before the coronavirus quarantine went into effect. For example at Met's stadium at Citi Field.
Related: Here's where you can use Clear outside of the airport
Will Health Pass by Clear actually work?
In April, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned against "immunity passports," stating that there's "currently no evidence" that recovered individuals can't become reinfected.
Currently, most individuals don't have access to reliable tests within the U.S. TPG himself, Brian Kelly, recently took two separate COVID-19 antibody tests — and got different results each time. Because Clear's biometric reporting tool relies on self-reported health information, and later on will rely on medical tests, Health Pass by Clear can provide a false sense of security where there may still be a very real risk of infection.
Bottom line
Like many of you, we at TPG can't wait to get back to the skies -- or even back into our offices for some face time with our coworkers. Much is still unknown about the coronavirus and nothing will improve until scientists have more accurate data or an effective vaccine. Health Pass by Clear might be a useful tool down the road — but it's important to remember that self-reported or untrustworthy data means next to nothing, and could potentially be more dangerous than no information at all.
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