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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:
PhilCornwall1 · 14/09/2020 07:15

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?

To be honest, they've been taking the piss from day 1.

The minute I saw Boris Johnson behind a lectern attempting to be intelligent, they were taking the piss.

diplodocusinermine · 14/09/2020 07:25

This has been all over Radio 4 news last week - don't know where you're getting your news from.

TheoriginalLEM · 14/09/2020 07:30

Is it me, or does anyone else think the lack of tests is so the gov can play down the actual number of cases??

mrshoho · 14/09/2020 07:30

@diplodocusinermine

This has been all over Radio 4 news last week - don't know where you're getting your news from.
BBC news on the tv. BBC news page. It should be headlined and kept at the forefront.
Dinocan · 14/09/2020 07:31

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.

^^ this with f*ing bells on. It’s an absolute scandal. Local authorities could have provided testing centres in every town, and bought staff back from furlough. They are set up to run stuff like this. They have public health departments. Instead, as with everything this government does, the money goes straight into the pockets of private business (shareholders). It makes me want to scream.

FrolickingLemon · 14/09/2020 07:48

Piers Morgan / Susanna Reid / Dr Hilary having a good old rant about it on GMB this morning. Rightly so.

SaltySosha · 14/09/2020 07:57

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.

Exactly. There is no massive outcry about this and it is just been brushed under the carpet... along with the fact they have crammed thousands of children and teachers back in to school in a non socially distanced way 🤦‍♀️

I think it's worth letting the bbc know it isn't acceptable.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/contact/complaints/make-a-complaint/#/Complaint

SisyphusDad · 14/09/2020 07:59

'Not being reported.'

From the Guardian Web site, just now.

Myusername2015 · 14/09/2020 08:04

I got Told by a operator tests are released at 8pm each night. But then she also told me my walk in centre was fully booked and I strolled in to no patients. Even better ending to the story readers my results were “inconclusive” so have to be repeated 😟

TooStressyTooMessy · 14/09/2020 08:05

I have just watched the 8am headlines on BBC breakfast. Not a mention Angry.

thepeopleversuswork · 14/09/2020 08:06

This has been headline news for days... not sure what sites you're looking at if you're not seeing it?

trebletheclef · 14/09/2020 08:07

I know two people who developed symptoms last week. One is a teenager just started back and college, and the other is a teacher. Neither have been able to book tests within 200 miles of their homes despite having tried since last Thursday. It is a shambles.

TooStressyTooMessy · 14/09/2020 08:07

I am pleased it is being reported elsewhere and on radio 4 it seems but I would have hoped what I would view as the ‘main’ news on BBC1 and one the BBC news website would have it as a rolling item. Not just mention it a couple of times then ignore it. I might switch to watching GMB.

CatsFantastic · 14/09/2020 08:09

I booked a test on Friday morning for Friday afternoon and had the results 24 hours later so there are tests available and they are turning them around quickly.

middleager · 14/09/2020 08:15

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/computer-says-zero-covid-tests-18915399

Today in Birmingham they are launching doorstep tests where kits are dropped off to homes in areas with high rates of infection but little take up of tests. So households that may not have symptoms.

GoingToInfinity · 14/09/2020 08:21

For those struggling to one, I managed to order a home testing kit about 10 minutes from the government website.

littledrummergirl · 14/09/2020 08:24

We've all had colds for a few days. Dd now has a cough (normal with a cold), I've been trying on and off since yesterday to book a test with no luck yet. The site is busy.

We actually live five minutes from a car park being used as a test centre but last week they weren't using it. Has anyone else noticed local sites no longer being used?

littledrummergirl · 14/09/2020 08:29

GoingToInfinity
I've been trying to get a test since before 8am and keep being told that they are busy. There is no option to book any kind of test for me.

WilsonMilson · 14/09/2020 08:32

I’m in Northern Ireland.
Had to book a test for dc who had a fever last week. Nothing available online. Literally nothing - it kept saying ‘no test sites found’ and then a few hours later it offered me on in Scotland. Hmm

Eventually, the next morning at 8am I was able to get a home test ordered - they were unavailable the day before. There were still no testing sites available at that point.

It took another day for the test come and came after the last post, so has to wait until the day after that to test.

Finally got it sent away on Saturday morning and now awaiting results.
I was very surprised and dismayed at the lack of available testing sites in NI. People are going to be missing loads of work and school if they have to wait for home tests.

Phoenix21 · 14/09/2020 08:36

People getting tests - can you list area? I’m getting message that home test is also unavailable.

I cannot get one - home walk or drive in. My next door borough is facing lockdown due to sharp increase.

My child isn’t allowed back at nursery until they have one. I’m now off work (am WFH but work have said cannot work with child which is understandable) and household in isolation.

Absolute cluster fuck of epic proportions for a developed country.

Jeremyironseverything · 14/09/2020 08:36

Not only can't you get a test, it's infuriating that you have to go through the whole rigamole of filling in the form every time you try. It's not a quick form.

Bubbletrouble43 · 14/09/2020 08:39

I'm getting an unsolicited test sent to me as have been contacted to take part in a study by imperial college. Anyone else? Seems they've underestimated how many they need?

Peaseblossom22 · 14/09/2020 08:41

Do you have to start from scratch with the form every time , I have just been refreshing ?
Has anyone tried to get a private test?

Peony9876 · 14/09/2020 08:41

It is in sky news, bbc news and in the guardian and ft. Not sure about the rightwing press as I don't follow it.

Guardian today
www.theguardian.com/world/2020/sep/14/utter-shambles-gps-and-medics-decry-nhs-test-and-trace-system?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

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