£500 prize for a positive test, roll up roll up

[PicsInRed]

It's fantastic that help is at hand for those who can't afford to isolate but I do hope kids (or perhaps regular, asymptomatic testing) is excluded from this or the ex will be scratching my ones sinuses on a weekly basis.

In fact will there be enough tests if the asymptomatic go for regular testing?

news.sky.com/story/covid-19-anyone-who-tests-positive-may-get-500-amid-fears-just-one-in-four-britons-fully-self-isolate-12195040

It's already happening. This was a link on my track and trace message two days ago.

Certain groups of people will deliberately try and catch covid to get the £500

Yes, I don't think it wil go ahead

There's no such thing as a free cake. People are so gullible.

I honestly wonder how the people who come up with these hare-brained ideas got into their jobs?! I despair too.

@justanotherneighinparadise

It’s in the papers. It won’t happen. They’re not that daft.

The last few months would suggest that yes, they possibly are.

It was stated that police would then have access to your NHS details if you claim it. No thanks.

I lived in a country at a time when young men were throwing themselves in front of cars to kill themselves to get blood money for their families. It was so common that the government had to change the law to stop it.

There was a high profile case in the UK a few years ago where a woman killed herself and I remember thinking at the time there was a financial motive. And sure enough it later transpired there was.

Some people would do anything for money. Some are poor and feel they have no choice, some value money over their own health and some are just greedy.

This whole scheme is fraught with problems.

Its quite worrying as some might not take as much care when they are out and put others at risk if they thought that £500 was up for grabs

@mrshoho

I'm reminded of the historical disastrous idea in some countries to pay people to donate blood. We know how that turned out.

Exactly, desperate people will employ desperate measures to make ends meet and stave of hunger or homelessness for themselves (and their kids). Quite understandably so.

Good idea for those scared to test incase they lose income

But surely people will just go around licking people to try to get the money?

But surely people will just go around licking people to try to get the money?

I wonder if you live near me... people where I live would totally run around licking each other of they thought it would lead to a £500 windfall. 🤣🤣

I've heard it all now.

If this comes to pass then I'm even more fucked off with how this Government is blowing the public purse.

I know loads of people who would happily catch it for 500 pounds. This is a really, really stupid idea from the government. COVID party anyone?

It’s a terrible idea. As we see, lots of people don’t self-isolate anyway, even if they have tested positive.

How would this work with postal tests? Could you get your infected friend to do the swab instead? Split the cash.....

As many other reasonable people have suggested, this idea is insane. Alas there are too many people who would deliberately try to become infected to get this award. We already see how many flout the current guidance. Our country is borrowing astronomical amounts to pay for covid as it is. Our national debt is spiralling!

@BillyAndTheSillies

It's already happening. This was a link on my track and trace message two days ago.

This seems to suggest that the scheme isn't quite what is being reported by the press.

£500 to cover lost income is fair. £500 to anyone regardless of circumstances is not.

@sonsmum

As many other reasonable people have suggested, this idea is insane. Alas there are too many people who would deliberately try to become infected to get this award. We already see how many flout the current guidance. Our country is borrowing astronomical amounts to pay for covid as it is. Our national debt is spiralling!

Alas! I see what you did there, very good sonsmum

Sigh... people criticise the government for not providing enough support for people to self isolate when they can't afford to.

The tory friendly paper "leak" some idiotic story about a scheme to address it with clearly obvious gaps/flaws (not at all subtly).

Everyone points out that it's a stupid idea.

The idea is dropped, and people stop blaming the government for their failure to make isolation easier for people.

I posted on the other thread too. The government has decided against that policy.

See:

*Posted at 11:5911:59
Universal self-isolation payment idea 'never made it near PM'

Ben Wright

BBC political correspondent

Government sources are firmly downplaying the idea of a universal £500 payment for people required to self-isolate.

One senior source says the idea was drawn up by officials but never made it near the prime minister.

It is understood there are fears in government that such a payment system could create perverse incentives.*

Source: [[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/uk-55763212]]

What a stupid way to do this. I don't see why companys cant pay them regular wage for their isolation period then claim that back off the government? Also what did the government expect people to do who are already struggling?
Honestly sometimes I think our country would be better run by a bowl of fruit!

I just posted this on another thread: Perhaps we are being played??

It has emerged that the £500 which should be there for those self isolating on low incomes cannot be accessed by many with genuine need. In some areas it is almost impossible.

So they put this story out. Get us all angry about how insane it is to give everyone £500. Which stops us pointing out how inadequate the current system is.
There should be some middle ground between "70% of applications rejected leaving thousands with an impossible dilemma" and "£500 for everyone"

What CaptainMerica said basically.

And if it goes ahead, are they going to microchip and follow their movements?

Coz if asymptomatic, they could happily get on with their lives anyway.

I agree, this story is definitely in the press for a reason, either to gauge support, or let us get used to the inevitable, or generate sufficient anger that Gov can drop it and claim we don't "want" to provide more financial help.

These sorts of "leaks" are almost always intentional, especially right now.