to think it's going to be very difficult to get a positive antibody test if we don't get exposed to the virus

[chomalungma]

Regardless of the fact that the 'hone' antibody tests aren't that reliable at the moment anyway
And the fact that immunity may not last

There seems to be a plan to see if people have a positive antibody test and maybe give them more freedom after lockdown ends.

But if you don't have more 'freedom', then you are not going to be exposed to many people with the virus, especially if you take as many health precautions as you can.

So it may take a long time to get exposed - and then even longer to get a positive antibody test...

We really do need to put more effort into our exit strategy, I agree.

I think a big problem is that so many people have misinterpreted the point of lockdown and genuinely believe it is to prevent them from catching the virus at all.

This hugely suits the government, as it results in a high compliance rate.

I think the reason the government is being so cagey with communicating the exit strategy is because there will be an outcry when people are told that they will likely have to catch the virus.

I’ve been so surprised by the number of my (healthy, mostly under 40) friends who genuinely believe they won’t be infected if they just stay at home.

It’s going to be ugly when they are disabused of that notion.

I'm in the shielded group, but if things go back to sort-of normality, I'll have to provide childcare again for my DD. I did at the start of lock down because i didn't know i was in the shielding group. My eldest DD and their Father step in, but only because of wfh and being laid off.

I think I've had it, my DD who lives with me certainly has, so an antibody test would bring me some comfort. I know immunity could be a matter of a couple of months, but we are getting better at treatments and possibly closer to a vaccine. So this would do a lot for my stress levels. I'm only in my 50's.

It could open up medical appointments, I'm currently suffering because of a simple vitamin B injection. I get my meds through the hospital and that's got to be sorted out for early next month. But there people with more urgent medical needs who this would be useful for.

Antigen ( RT-PCR) testing capacity is a more complex picture than is being painted

I know. I used to do it many years ago.

I have also done more immunoassays than I care to think about.