  With the push for contact- and proximity-tracing solutions as a means to
manage the spread of the pandemic, there is a distrust between the citizens and
authorities that are deploying these solutions. The efficacy of the solutions
relies on meeting a minimum uptake threshold which is hitting a barrier because
of a lack of trust and transparency in how these solutions are being developed.
We propose participatory design as a mechanism to evoke trust and explore how
it might be applied to co-create technological solutions that not only meet the
needs of the users better but also expand their reach to underserved and
high-risk communities. We also highlight the role of the bazaar model of
development and complement that with quantitative and qualitative metrics for
evaluating the solutions and convincing policymakers and other stakeholders in
the value of this approach with empirical evidence.
