Are famous people being diagnosed because they're the only ones being tested?

[Sweatheart]

Just seen Prince whatever of Monaco has tested positive. Theres been a bunch of celebs - no one I know has been tested at all. Is it just the rich and famous who are getting the tests?!

I think they're the ones who can afford to be privately tested.

Apparently £400 or so gets you a private test on demand.

I wondered the exact same thing! Myself, DH, DC and my parents all went on a day out at the farm, beginning of feb and we were all immediately unwell the next day for about 2 weeks. The dcs had a minor cold and the rest of us were really unwell with chesty coughs that left us short of breath and bed bound. Kept in etc, given strong antibiotics for chest infection that didn't seem to do anything for us. I'm wondering if we've had it. If I have already had it I'd be happy to help out at the local supermarket with no staff. But I'm not sure how you go about getting tested and I'm asthmatic so don't want to volunteer until I know.

If you can afford a private test of course you'll get one. Several drugs have shown promise in treating it - but mainly only work if given before things progress to a serious stage. If you get an early diagnosis you can start immediate treatment.

Who does these private tests? Can the NHS buy these tests? Why can’t they do tests for NHS doctors, nurses etc rather than bloody Iris Elba!

Idris = Iris!

I was also thinking this. No one seems to know anyone personally who has it, only celebrities.

Yeah, I thought it would be down to money, sorry should have said that.

If I have already had it I'd be happy to help out at the local supermarket with no staff

That's a lovely thing to do, but they don't know you are immune after it's gone.

I know some "normal" people who have been tested and are positive, and some others who have been really ill, but not tested. They do seem to have very specific and strict criteria.

Yes indeed, what do Idris Elba, Prince Albert of Monaco, Michel Barnier, Sophie Trudeau, Nadine Dorries et al have in common?? Surely not bags of dosh, connections, private doctors ...

Prince Albert is in Monaco, which likely has a different testing criteria to the UK. Ditto the Canadian PM's wife. I'm not sure how the Brexit negotiator got tested though.

Definitely some were from contact tracing which the UK has now stopped for some unknown reason.

theres a few online private blood testing sites advertising the them for £250 so its just people buying their own.

God I didn't realise that you aren't automatically immune. It's just so awful.

Surely we’re hearing about the celebs who’ve tested positive because...well they’re celebs! And they’ve paid for it.
Nothing to do with the NHS and who they’re prioritising.

God I didn't realise that you aren't automatically immune. It's just so awful

They just don't know either way yet. There isn't any long term data. The majority of scientists agree that people who get most viruses are immune.

The private tests aren't validated for routine use. They're probably accurate but haven't been certified as sufficiently specific and/or sensitive.

Maybe they’ve all been at the same parties!