Normality hinges on rapid testing

[Racoonworld]

On the BBC Hancock is saying that normality hinges on rapid testing for everyone. How long is this going to be for? I don’t mind testing for a month or two but I’m not doing it long term. Weren’t the vaccines supposed to be getting us back to normality?

Agree OP, it’s ridiculous. All the vulnerable and elderly are vaccinated, why would we all be testing twice a week? We don’t do that for flu

Plus the tests are very unreliable

Matt Hancock hasn't a clue. There is already a lengthy thread on this subject. Rapid testing is unreliable. Experts have said it is a massive waste of money. He's probably related to someone who supplies the kits.

The idea is that this will go on as restrictions are lifted/ until June/July and then maybe pick back up in the autumn/winter if infection levels pick back up.

Its ridiculous! Nurse here. My DH works in a school and is part of the Covid testing team. Theyve done over 5000 Lateral Flow Tests and not had even ONE positive....impossible!!

How is testing the healthy normal?

Normal is reducing the bullshit, not adding to it

Actually most other countries have demonstrated that testing needs to be combined with effective border control, which this country still does not have.

Guardian top story at the moment is that 8000 tourists are coming INTO the country each day, mostly without quarantine.

Roll on quarantine-free travel to and from the USA - currently running at an infection rate that got my county put in tier 4 and the hairdressers closed.
That will end well - NOT

It’s hard to believe that lateral flow tests could matter much when they’re not all that effective. We do ours but i can’t help wondering if it’s a bit pointless.

there is nothing about rapid (and frequent) testing

there is nothing normal about rapid (and frequent) testing

Oh great. Just one more ‘one more thing’ we have to do to get back to normality Goalposts moving yet again.

@Jo99996

How is testing the healthy normal?

Normal is reducing the bullshit, not adding to it

It’s fucking nuts isn’t it? Sometimes I think about what if I could go back in time before all this and tell myself what the world would be like in 2021. It’s dystopian.

Another 'just one more thing'. Beyond absurd now.

Why tf are we testing healthy people??

Fucking insanity. Getting really disillusioned recently, I genuinley think the world is going mad.

I do get the logic of mass testing asymptomatic people with a test which, if positive, means yiu have the virus, but also has many false negatives. As these are people who wouldn't otherwise be tested it should be catching a few cases we wouldn't otherwise know about.
However I do doubt whether it is cost effective and I agree it's far from normal.

I'm also worried about false reassurance. "I've got a cough today but I did a lft yesterday and it was negative so I'm fine, not going to bother isolating."
The messaging isn't at all clear.

I think that although it probably would benefit everyone as the more people tested the better, in reality very few people are going to go to the trouble of testing every week when it's a hassle, it's uncomfortable, and we always think we're negative anyway so what's the point. Relying on people without symptoms to test at home is unrealistic.

I agree with the PP about closing borders. Countries that have been successful have combined closing borders with rigorous testing and also going to huge lengths to trace contacts of positive people and enforce cooperation with isolating.

Who is still listening to this utter fool?

@HermioneWeasley

Agree OP, it’s ridiculous. All the vulnerable and elderly are vaccinated, why would we all be testing twice a week? We don’t do that for flu

I'm not sure what I think about the tests but just coming on to point out you're wrong about this. The vulnerable haven't been fully vaccinated. Most have only had the 1st dose.

@GreenTeaPingPong

I think that although it probably would benefit everyone as the more people tested the better, in reality very few people are going to go to the trouble of testing every week when it's a hassle, it's uncomfortable, and we always think we're negative anyway so what's the point. Relying on people without symptoms to test at home is unrealistic.

I agree with the PP about closing borders. Countries that have been successful have combined closing borders with rigorous testing and also going to huge lengths to trace contacts of positive people and enforce cooperation with isolating.

And people who can't afford to self isolate won't be testing. Who can blame them?!

I agree that border control would have more impact on preventing resurgence and dangerous new strains than these not always massively accurate tests.

Who's friend has a LFT producing company?

It's got to be one of them.

I don’t see how this strategy can work when according to the BMJ the test has a false negative rate of 40%. So it misses 4 out of every 10 people who have Covid.

Would it depend on people providing their own proof of a negative test result?

I do lateral flow tests at home twice a week for work. I submit the result on the government website and then they send me a text & email with the result that I have told them.

If I ever got a positive, there would be absolutely nothing stopping me from me from ticking the box for a negative result, and then tah dah! I have 'proof' to show that I'm fine.

Of course I don't intend to do that. But I could absolutely see people doing it if they have booked & paid for an event that requires a negative test result and are asymptomatic but test positive with a home lateral flow just before hand.