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Original poster

Why isn't it headline news that no tests are available?

220 replies

Froginaboginasmock · 13/09/2020 16:08

Surely this is incredibly important - Govt said over and over we couldn't return to school/work without Test and Trace - and it's already broken down.

No tests whatsoever available now in my area, scores of others on MN reporting the same. Checked the Guardian live, BBC - nothing. Why isn't this being reported? It doesn't seem to be restricted tests, having no travel etc anymore: it's no tests.

OP posts:
Techway · 13/09/2020 20:45

Something has happened as zero tests available which is a change from a few months ago.

The testing says to only have a test if symptoms are temperature, continuous cough or loss of taste.

If not those symptoms I'm working on the assumption that it's fine to go to work/school.

Definitely get a thermometer, pretty essential in current situation. Tongue or under arm are under a tenner.

Sootikinstew · 13/09/2020 20:50

This is news to me. I got ill yesterday and my taste and smell has gone.

I think it's just a standard cold but ordered a home test for arrival tomorrow no issues today, mid afternoon.

I'm East Midlands if that matters.

Dinocan · 13/09/2020 20:53

I don't know why it’s not headline news. It’s an utter shambles. Everyone I’ve spoken to in the past 2 weeks who was after a test since going back to school etc has been told they will have to drive to the other end of the country to get tested! The government are too busy breaking international laws and hurtling towards a no deal brexit at the moment I guess to worry about the looming wave of Covid.

WhoWants2Know · 13/09/2020 20:55

If I remember correctly, 200,000 tests administered each day does not equate to 200,000 people tested.

It more accurately reflects how many swabs are used/posted. So if a person has a throat swab and a nasal swab, that counts as two tests. If they post a swab to you, that counts as a test--regardless of whether you are able to return it in time for it to give a valid result.

Thousands of tests have been binned because they weren't transported at the appropriate temperature.

So the problem isn't that people are taking tests that don't need them. It's that the system can't cope with the number of people who do need them.

TheLastStarfighter · 13/09/2020 21:29

Must be very much the luck of the draw. We decided DS1 needed a test for a persistent cough at 6pm yesterday, and by 7:15 he was tested and we were on our way home.

The test centre (Edinburgh) was deserted though. About 30-40 staff and only about 5 cars.

Facelikearustytractor · 13/09/2020 21:53

I have heard very little, but I know how bad it is from here. Doesn't surprise me one bit that it is a shambles and that makes me feel rather hopeless and sad about the future.

It is really scary that in a pandemic they can't even come up with a decent testing system. We are most likely leaving the EU on a no deal at the end of the year and that is a million times more complicated than this. I am off to the preppers threads....

Giraffey1 · 13/09/2020 21:58

It has been all over the media. For days.

KeyWorker · 13/09/2020 22:11

I’ve just emailed our MP due to lack of available tests. It’s a shambles.

doodlyfiddly · 13/09/2020 22:13

This is something that really concerns me. Forget about all the new rules etc, if people who need tests can't get them to continue with the restricted lives we are currently living, what is going to happen?

My friend needed tests for her family a couple of days ago. She was offered Aberdeen then Inverness. We are in Essex. After 6 hours, she finally got one 50 miles away and felt she had no choice but to go for it. She knew they only had colds, but felt under pressure (from the school I think) to get them done. So what will happen when all the children have colds? It feels like all judgment has gone out of the window.

GrapefruitsAreNotTheOnlyFruit · 13/09/2020 22:18

I am literally unable to understand why a shambolic system costing ££££££ has been set up when extra funding could have been provided to the NHS, GPs and local authorities. We could have then gone to our local clinic or GP surgery for testing and the local authority could have contact traced.

So much money is being wasted on these contracts with outsourcing firms.

Boredbumhead · 13/09/2020 22:23

Because we have a group of disaster capitalists running the country.

StealthPolarBear · 13/09/2020 22:35

I live in the North East and needed a test. Offered one in Lancashire. Then I saw a story on the media about someone down south who'd been sent to London. Why didn't I get that one?

WithGusto · 13/09/2020 23:05

There hasn't been any postal tests for weeks and weeks as far as I can gather. We’re very lucky our LA are running their own Covid testing with a private healthcare company (think it’s the people who normall do all the sexual health stuff) anyway it’s brilliant we were blown away with what a good service it was.

Do have a really good google and ask around to see if your local council are doing the same.

WithGusto · 13/09/2020 23:06

And yes been all over the media since last Monday.

Roguesausage · 13/09/2020 23:08

How odd. I've had a letter randomly offering me a postal test. I'm not ill or vulnerable.

480Widdio · 13/09/2020 23:12

Son in law had symptoms,no test available unless he travelled 75 miles.Utter shambles.He didn’t go.

pontypridd · 13/09/2020 23:20

I'm so shocked reading on FB that so many people locally can't get tested.

It's frightening.

This doesn't just need to be picked up and made big in the media. It needs to be talked about in parliament. Boris and Hancock need to be grilled on this.

Does anything like that happen anymore?

PhilCornwall1 · 14/09/2020 05:13

@pontypridd

I'm so shocked reading on FB that so many people locally can't get tested.

It's frightening.

This doesn't just need to be picked up and made big in the media. It needs to be talked about in parliament. Boris and Hancock need to be grilled on this.

Does anything like that happen anymore?

It'll make no difference, Johnson will just bluster and stutter his way through it, talking incoherent bollocks as per usual, probably about Operation Bullshit or whatever it's called.

Hancock will just wear his Head Boy sneer (He must have learnt that from Osbourne) and just not answer the question.

Big news or not, it won't change anything.

oopsiedaisy2 · 14/09/2020 05:40

I also can't work out why the radio silence, why isn't it trending on twitter? Surely if people can't get tests they're going to shout about it! We can get any tests where I live for 100 miles! No home tests either. It's a complete joke and they have the audacity to blame people for having tests!! The mind boggles!

coconutmonkey · 14/09/2020 06:13

It's not headline news because mainstream media is merely a puppet for the government. It will largely focus on/cover up issues which it is told to by greater forces.

Seek out other media outlets like UK Column or TruePublica for critical, questioning news stories.

Peaseblossom22 · 14/09/2020 06:21

Have been trying for 24 hours, just says no postal tests available and then no test sites . I am so angry that these people are in charge, it is truly scary, thinking about ordering a private test

MrsClatterbuck · 14/09/2020 06:24

@1point21gigawatts

I'm a teacher. Colleague has come down with a cold and has a cough. We live on the south coast of England. She was offered a test in Belfast!! She will now have to stay away from school for longer than should be necessary.

I agree this should be being made far more of a big deal than it seems at the moment.

And someone in Belfast needing a test could be asked to go for one in Scotland. It has happened here.
anneyc · 14/09/2020 06:47

My son developed a cold, followed by cough at the end of last week. Low grade temp, no loss of taste. I rang 111 for advice after using the online 111 checker. Was phoned back by a Dr who advised that, just a common cold, as temp was low grade , no need to test. Very sensible result, I thought. He always catches a cold when he returns to school in September. I am still worried about sending him to school today with the cough however, No one wants a cougher around them.

longwayoff · 14/09/2020 06:54

Deloitte and Serco are in receipt of public money for the provision of these "world beating" test systems. In fact, so many services have been handed out to Bozo's mates that it's no surprise they can't fit it all in.

whyohwhydidieatthatpie · 14/09/2020 07:12

Totally agree and started a thread about the same issue after trying and really struggling to get a test for my DC. I do know it's been covered in the press, but I just can't believe it's not the main headline. Particularly given that lack of testing was identified as a key failing with the first wave. I find it amazing that at the same time as this huge failing the government is getting away with talking about their 'moonshot' plan. They don't even seem to be providing clear answers about the failing, other than some lab issues.

I feel like it's some sort of cruel joke, like they're taking the piss out of us all. Between this and the fiasco with Dominic Cummings, they can't be serious surely?