ZOE app "you need a test"

[Juststopswimming]

So my DD had a cold last week, and kindly passed it on to me early this week. I (like the good citizen I am) reported on the Zoe app on Monday that I had a sore throat but otherwise was physically normal.

Tuesday evening at 10.30pm (!), having reported on Tuesday morning that I felt physically normal, I get an email from the Zoe app saying that I should book myself a test. Clearly I wasnt going to book a test, since I have NO SYMPTOMS but i thought I'd click through and see what happened - and I was directed through to the usual gov.uk page to book a test (you know, the one where no one even if they do have symptoms can actually get a test?!)

AIBU to find this really appalling?! Yes in an ideal world for the researchers running Zoe, I'm sure they would like to know if people presenting with just a sore throat have Covid but given the current lack of tests shitshow - how is it a good idea to direct people with no symptoms to have a test!?

Ye si had this having reported a mild headache a couple of days earlier (completely due to lack of sleep). They do need to know about prevalence in people reporting other symptoms but I'm inclined to agree with you at the moment. I did similar and gave up when the only option was a five hour round trip.
Since then matt Hancock has said do not get tested if you don't have relevant symptoms. I think zoe should change their practice for now.

Completely agree StealthPolarBear - its really unfortunate as it'll mean we miss out on understanding any other symptoms of covid such as sore throat/headache.

Just too much pressure on the system right now :(

Also I should say that my irritation/anger is directed entirely at our absolute joke of a government and not the Zoe app/research team behind it!

If they don't carry out research, we aren't going to have accurate information about which symptoms need to be tested for.

Research and knowledge is absolutely vital in a pandemic.

If the government decide there aren't enough tests available to carry out research, or that it is a lower priority, they will stop it.

Yes I've had the same email last night. However the govt website no longer offers the option (quite rightly) for this kind of research to be a reason to apply for a test. I think Zoe need to update their systems. However it's a bloody shame that we can't partake in the important research being carried out via this project, because of govt incompetence.

Another side effect of the government's shit planning. We need people with other symptoms to get tested as that's the only way we learn about what other symptoms may or may not be relevant. But at the moment the poorly planned system is overwhelmed by the (completely expected) demand for testing.

You're right not to get a test, they need to be prioritised for people that would otherwise need to isolate. But you're also right to highlight yet another failing of the government's planning.

Is that why the option the zoe email suggested would be there wasn't?! That makes sense, i had to pick the one about local authorities.
Yes I think they should just pause it, say for a month.

I had the same when I stated I had a sore throat. Also had the letter couple of days ago asking me to have a test after being picked at random to have one. I logged in to it and it says if I change my mind in the meantime to dispose of the test in the bin...that’s madness surely, how many will be sent out to them just be discarded of?