To think if you can stand in a queue for 5 hours, you’re not ill

[TheMurk]

Five hour queue for Covid testing in Bury yesterday, as pictured in various newspapers.

Now, when I’ve been ill before with various Illnesses and viruses (flu, noro, mumps, bronchitis etc, remember them?) I’ve been in no position to go anywhere but my bed.

When I say ill, I mean suffering the generally expected effects of whatever virus it is, to such an extent that it disrupts my daily routine and requires rest, fluids and medications. Not so Ill that I’m in any danger, or need to go to hospital. But ill that is noticeable to those around me. Needed time off work, that sort of thing.

It’s by the by that in none of these instances I required any sort of test to establish what was making me ill - it was plainly obvious by the symptoms.

But supposing I had a virus so unique and potentially deadly that required a test and subsequent isolation measures, let me tell you now I would have been in no shape to drive, walk or bus it anywhere, stand in any sort of queue for even a short period, attend a test that is uncomfortable and then get myself home.

Especially if the virus is SO CONTAGIOUS that in the rest of the public domain you must wear a mask, stay 2 m away from everyone else and you can’t even touch so much as a library book for fear of being overwhelmed and struck down by this virus.

I mean, who are these people getting tested?

And if they’re well enough to stand in a five hour queue, they are far from a hospital admission - so why are all our lives on hold for this?

Bonkers.

@pennylane83

I guess we hope for better treatments .

They are still learning about the antibodies after infection and it is not looking good . I am not sure the vaccine will be affective.

I think it could be a combination of better treatments And a cheap instant test .

@pointythings

Brilliant.

Shouldn't you be outraged at the five hour queue, after god knows how many promises this government has made, rather than the people being tested so they can go to work?

walksen

@LouiseNW

"Tip of the Iceberg was referenced"

I'm not convinced that this supports your argument. If an epidemologist said the current ruse was the tip of the iceberg it would be concerning not reassuring. The whole point is 90% of the iceberg is lurking under the surface unseen....“

Well, exactly.

Sorry, missing your point? It is indeed extremely concerning.

Mine is we don’t know unless everyone is tested but everything I’ve read and heard this week coming from people far more in the know than most of us on MN is supporting a picture of a rapid increase in infections nationwide.

Follow emerging figures very carefully because of vulnerable loved ones, one extremely. People will obviously extrapolate what they will according to their personal circumstances and to an extent hear what they wish to. it’s what people do, me included.
We have to err very much on the side of caution here, so are.

My husband works in the covid track and trace and the majority of people with positive tests have no symptoms whatsoever and only got tested due to close contact YABU

@BashfulClam

My husband works in the covid track and trace and the majority of people with positive tests have no symptoms whatsoever and only got tested due to close contact YABU

But currently, close contact with no symptoms doesn't "qualify" you for a test. To book a test you have to confirm you have symptoms, so how can he know that the majority had no symptoms?

Op lots of the viruses you mention we already have measures in place to prevent spread. You seem to think all viruses are the same, but they arent? I mean id much rather get a cold than HIV.

Yearly flu vaccine
MMR vaccine
48hr rule for noro

The fact of the matter is covid is a new virus, we still dont know much about it. It is more infectious than flu whatever you say, and we havent had time to develop treatments or a vaccine if possible yet

Theres no point really testing the people holed up in bed with covid, you want to be testing the asymptomatic cases, the mild cases because these are the people that are spreading it.

As a PP said, it's not the people queuing for 5 hours that is an outrage, it is the need for a 5 hour queue.

It ain't like September return to school was sprung on the testing organisers. They had quite the run up to get their shit together.

[quote TheMurk]@MrsStefani what, just teachers and doctors?

Can’t imagine a lesser spotted doctor catching anything these days, they’ve not been see in public for months!

But my point is - if it’s so highly contagious and deadly, surely it’s 1.counterproductive for huge numbers of people to be congregating in lines for hours, and 2. Surely if it’s deadly you know all about it. If you need to guess and then get tested in case - you don’t have it, or if you do it’s no worse than any other sniffle.[/quote]
But the next person you pass it to may have a weaker immune system and it could kill them.

I'm struggling to see how you don't understand it - that's what's truly bonkers.

When I had suspected COVID at Easter I couldn’t have left the house never mind stood in a queue!

My mum was sent home from work recently for being in contact with a confirmed Covid case, she queued 3 hours for a test as otherwise she would have to have 2 weeks off work unpaid, which she can’t afford.

Also I think the contagion of people standing in queues is a problem.

Are we honestly 6 months in and people are still saying if you had a virus you'd know about it?

Scale goes Asymptomatic-severely symptomatic!

As a PP said, it's not the people queuing for 5 hours that is an outrage, it is the need for a 5 hour queue.

^^
But yes I agree with this.

Thing is,, if you have a fever and the next day the fever is gone, you still need to get tested before you can go back to school/work.

[quote TheMurk]@MrsStefani what, just teachers and doctors?

Can’t imagine a lesser spotted doctor catching anything these days, they’ve not been see in public for months!

But my point is - if it’s so highly contagious and deadly, surely it’s 1.counterproductive for huge numbers of people to be congregating in lines for hours, and 2. Surely if it’s deadly you know all about it. If you need to guess and then get tested in case - you don’t have it, or if you do it’s no worse than any other sniffle.[/quote]
It doesn't matter how badly (if at all) it affects YOU - if you're contagious, you risk spreading it to others who may well be far worse affected, such as vulnerable, etc.

Don't bother folks. The OP is clearly as mad as a box of frogs and highly educated on a diet of quack doctor YouTube. They are best ignored and told to go away.

These kind of people only understand once they get the virus and discover that "oh it's not the flu/other virus"

Like the covid deniers that have got the virus and in some cases died from it.

One actually did a live on his, FB saying he had thought it, was all rubbish.... until he got it. He was dead within two weeks.

Natural selection eh?

OP: Am I being unreasonable
4 out of 5 people: Yes
OP: No I’m not!

🙄

OP you are either deliberately missing the point or you are extremely stupid !!

You have to be tested within five days of symptoms starting. Those that go on to need hospital admission usually go downhill after that. There’s no way of knowing on day one if you will have a mild case or not. You have symptoms you get tested regardless of how well you feel.

"it’s also a complete (media driven) fallacy to claim that “infection rates are taking off again”.

@LouiseNW sorry didn't realise you were quoting the op there .

Guess you didn't get the memo you're not allowed back at work/school without a negative test if previously showing minor symptons etc. Jesus.

OP you are either deliberately missing the point or you are extremely stupid!!

This.

I'm wondering whether standing in a queue of potential virus carriers is that smart unless you have some pretty clear symptoms. Because if you didn't have it before you queued you probably would afterward! And of course, you wouldn't know until several days later, when you'd have to queue again.

I couldn’t stand in a queue for five hours even when well so it’ll probably finish me off. Why not give them numbers or notify them when it’s their turn so they can stay separated or in their cars? Idiotic government