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All adults (in England)* to be offered twice-weekly tests

312 replies

MiaMc · 05/04/2021 07:53

How do we think this is going to work?

Reportedly only 20% of people with symptoms are referring themselves for formal testing. So unfortunately I can’t imagine take up of this being high unless it becomes mandatory to show evidence of the result in certain situations.

Sadly, too many people seem to take the view that if something isn’t going to benefit them directly they can’t see why they should do it.

Then there will be those people who come up with excuses as to why they should be exempt. If take up isn’t high enough and people don’t do the test correctly it’s going to seem like an expensive pointless exercise.

  • [Title edited by MNHQ to make it clear this relates to England only, and that tests are being offered but are not mandatory. Original title said: All adults to test themselves twice per week]
OP posts:
TristantheTyrannosaurus · 05/04/2021 16:14

@mylifeisajunkdrawer

Are they doing twice weekly testing in Australia and NZ where internal life within the countries is largely operating as normal?

No.

Borders is the key factor.

We're not in Aus or NZ and can't shut up borders the way they can and did.
sleepwouldbenice · 05/04/2021 16:16

@middleager

I'm feeling very bitter about this. I have done everything asked of me, yet at 48 and unvaccinated with no sign of the vaccine for me and DH, I'm beginning to feel resentful.
Feel the same today.....
puffinkoala · 05/04/2021 16:17

What will people do if the tests do become compulsory if you want to go to certain events/venues etc

Won't go.

The tests are easy to do but are they easy to do properly

TristantheTyrannosaurus · 05/04/2021 16:19

@mylifeisajunkdrawer

So 2 vaccines and still testing just in case some twit brings back a new variant into the country on their essential-to-them foreign holiday to drink beer in the sun.

So I basically got vaccinated so some twits could go on their summer holidays and now I have to test myself twice a weeks so they can enjoy this freedom, while here at home it is still another week until the indoors pools can open at the earliest.

Some people need to reevaluate their definition of freedom when it means other people have less freedom to facilitate it.

Obviously it is all about the money needing to be spent. I won't be spending it though.

Yes, because only 'twits' go abroad to get drunk, no one else. Hmm You got vaccinated to protect yourself, did you not?

People need to reevaluate their critical thinking skills and risk assessment skills.

dividedwefall · 05/04/2021 16:28

@mylifeisajunkdrawer you should be more angry at the people allegedly letting foreign 8000 tourists per day into the UK instead of getting yourself into a tizz about the 'twits' (nice) for whom leaving the UK is currently illegal.

Blaming and name calling each other is taking the focus off the real questions we should be asking.

Fferny1 · 05/04/2021 16:30

This copied n pasted .... on the Innova test from the British Medical Journal .

' lateral flow test in asymptomatic people was not included in the analysis, as studies have yet to be published. At a Science Media Centre briefing the authors referred to two such studies, neither of which has been peer reviewed: the Liverpool lateral flow pilot, which showed a test sensitivity of 40% based on 70 cases, and a University of Birmingham study with a sensitivity of 3% based on eight cases.

Jon Deeks, professor of biostatistics at the University of Birmingham and the review’s lead author, said, “These tests work a lot less well in people who are asymptomatic than symptomatic. The government has not been clear on this. The only data we have is based on the [Liverpool and Birmingham] studies, where a total of 78 people had covid-19, when 40 million tests have been given out.

“I personally find it quite shocking that the government thinks this is an adequate evidence base on which to base such a large, expensive, and quite invasive policy.” '

Who is making money out of such a badly advised ill thought-out policy?

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 16:35

Do people not realise that viruses mutate? Hence vaccinations get tweaked for new strains? Nothing to do with twits carrying on with their daily lives.

Gave the NHS workers an abysmal 1% pay rise but this new job pays up to.£750 a day to do some work with the NHS.

findajob.dwp.gov.uk/details/5585948

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 16:39

ANd for those who don't want to click links

Interim Head of Asymptomatic Testing Communication

Posting date: 30 March 2021
Salary: £750.00 per day
Additional salary information: per day pay range subject to IR35 status
Hours: Full time
Closing date: 28 April 2021
Location: London
Company: Triumph Consultants Ltd
Job type: Temporary
Job reference: PSR 1JP00037556
Summary

What's involved with this role:

Interim Head of Asymptomatic Testing Communication – Remote working – PSR 1JP00037556

Pay rate: Up to £750 per day pay range subject to IR35 status

This is an exciting role for an experienced communications professional and offers the opportunity to work at the heart of the Department of Health. The role is a senior leadership role within the NHS Communications team and may offer the first step in developing a possible future career in a senior communication role in the Civil Service.

You will primarily be responsible for delivering a communications strategy to support the expansion of asymptomatic testing, that normalises testing as part of everyday life. The role offers the opportunity to work with a wide variety of stakeholders across the public and private sector and provide communi-cations support to our marketing campaigns.

Key responsibilities:

Work on designing, delivering and communicating policy
Undertake or commission research
Gather and analyse data and information
Develop expertise in an area, or draw on the expertise of others
Keep up to date with social, political and economic developments, and brief others on these
Provide advice to senior managers, stakeholders and decision makers
Write briefings and reports
Carry out consultations with internal and external stakeholders - including colleagues, customers, or members of the public
Work with a wide range of people and organisations, including senior managers, public office officials and members of the public.

Essential criteria:

Experience of leading multi-functional communications teams
Crisis communications.
Outstanding stakeholder management and influencing skills with the ability to collaborate and engage with a wide range of senior stakeholders across both the public and private sectors.
An excellent leader of people who improves capability, leads through change and exhibits an engaging and adaptable style that connects with people at all levels, who prioritises the wellbeing and resilience of their team.
Ability to successfully navigate complex environments and deliver through effective and collab-orative partnerships across organisational boundaries.

Please quote the Job Title & Vacancy Reference No. in your application, or we will be unable to match your CV to the role being applied for.

“Essential Requirements” – Please check to ensure that your CV addresses the following items:

Our clients are generally seeking applicants who are reasonably local, so on that basis we would ideally like you to supply us with your address (or at least your post code) and a telephone number so that we can reach you during working hours.
Your recent UK working experience going back at least 5 years, or full employment history if you have been working for fewer years than this.
Your availability to work either immediately, or at short notice.
Qualifications and experience relevant to the job role – please give full details within your CV document.

Other preferable/desirable details to include on your CV, if applicable:

Any local authority/public sector experience.
Any relevant qualifications held or being studied for.

ALD
If you would prefer to send a CV straight to us rather than by way of an on-line application, you are very welcome to do so via [email protected] but please quote both the job reference and job title exactly as they appear below:

Job Ref: PSR 1JP00037556

Anticipated Length of Assignment: Unless otherwise stated (we do carry the occasional permanent vacancy) all of our roles are technically temporary, though opening assignments can be and often are, extended by clients on a longer term basis and can sometimes become permanent.

Please do try to resist contacting us with requests for progress updates.

We really do read every CV sent to us. All applications will be acknowledged by a human, not a robot, provided the job remains live and provided your CV meets the “Essential Requirements” listed.

Please note that we do our level best to take down ads as soon as roles have been filled. We are not in the business of harvesting CVs.

Important: We will interpret your application as being permission to submit your CV to this role (with the right to represent you) unless you advise us to the contrary.

Lemons1571 · 05/04/2021 16:50

@middleager

I'm feeling very bitter about this. I have done everything asked of me, yet at 48 and unvaccinated with no sign of the vaccine for me and DH, I'm beginning to feel resentful.
We’re disengaging too. I am not doing any more of these “just one more thing” until DH (a vulnerable late 40’s teacher) is vaccinated. I have drawn my line in the sand. It is not our responsibility to protect 66 million other people while getting sweet fa ourselves.
PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/04/2021 16:53

@IceCreamAndCandyfloss

I think for work places, education, holidays, travel and large gatherings they should be compulsory until it becomes so minor like other illnesses. The tests are easy to do and if they help save people from ill health etc surely that’s what a society does for each other.
The tests might be easy to do (in your opinion) but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't do it properly. I gagged when someone did my test so I don't think I'll have much luck doing it myself!
Eaumyword · 05/04/2021 17:05

I'm the opposite-I'd be terrified of someone doing it to me, but because I'm in control and do it myself, it's no bother to me. I have an embarrassingly strong gag reflex (even when brushing teeth!) and I've just got completely used to testing twice weekly since Jan.
Weirdly, I have a favourite throat side and nostril side-haven't tried on the other side Grin

PinkSparklyPussyCat · 05/04/2021 17:07

I was ok (apart from a coughing fit) when I someone did it but there's no way I'm doing it myself, especially if I don't have symptoms!

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 17:19

I've noticed the tests are different to the hospital ones. Those I can have without an issue. The school tests the swab is prickly and really horrid to use. Thought it was just me until one of my dc's also mentioned the same thing.

hamstersarse · 05/04/2021 17:32

More expensive madness

Why would we test healthy people?

ineedaholidaynow · 05/04/2021 17:43

These tests have picked up positive cases in schools (confirmed by PCR) so hopefully managed to reduce spread in schools and to families.

The people who tested positive didn't have symptoms at the time of test.

yeOldeTrout · 05/04/2021 17:52

@Theluggage15 said: One tender is worth £22 billion over 2 years!

do you have a link to that?

So... 2 years from now. Govt think this could all still be going on in mid 2023?

AcornAutumn · 05/04/2021 18:05

[quote yeOldeTrout]@Theluggage15 said: One tender is worth £22 billion over 2 years!

do you have a link to that?

So... 2 years from now. Govt think this could all still be going on in mid 2023?[/quote]
This NI pandemic publicity job lasts till then

www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/005534-2021?origin=SearchResults&p=1

Theluggage15 · 05/04/2021 18:26

@yeOldeTrout it was referred to in an FT article. Apparently it was released by PHE as part of operation moonshot but I think it’s still valid. Must be on a website somewhere! The duration is 2 years minimum.

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 18:40

This is from the BMJ about the costs

www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3520

The internal correspondence reveals that the government is prepared to almost match what it spends on the NHS in England each year (£130bn) to fund mass testing of the population “to support economic activity and a return to normal life” under its ambitious Operation Moonshot programme

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 18:44

Good law project took legal action
goodlawproject.org/search/?query=moonshot

More about the moonshot program

www.consultancy.uk/news/25610/government-moonshot-programme-will-cost-uk-over-100-billion

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 18:54

More about moonshot with several links.

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32917634/

WaitingForNormality · 05/04/2021 18:56

We've been doing this as a family for months now as Dh is a teacher. It's an easy to do DIY test and it's become part of routine on sun and wed evenings to test. It caught Dh's covid a few days prior to symptoms when he caught covid from a student the week schools went back. I'm high risk and pregnant (so obviously not able to have my vaccine) and was actually relieved to have a bit of warning dh had covid before he started coughing etc. as it gave me time to find alternative place to live during isolation period.

canigooutyet · 05/04/2021 18:56

Normally before posting links I cross check. Haven't done so with the above posts.
Although interestingly, the BMJ report was back in September when the data was leaked.

WaitingForNormality · 05/04/2021 18:57

Should add - Dh test confirmed by PCR the next day.

And we have a primary aged child too and our school actively encouraged all parents to participate in twice weekly testing when it was rolled out too.

LovingBob · 05/04/2021 22:09

I'm retired, I don't think I will be planning twice weekly covid tests for the rest of my life, I can't imagine many other retired folk will either

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