How will they test school children

[Londonr]

Secondary school children are meant to have lateral flow test on returning to school. How can they do this if there are no testing kits?

[quote OnceuponaRainbow18]@treeflowercat

Shall we just say the same for hospitals and that then?

Guessing you don’t work in a school as usual that do want a bit of protection…![/quote]
That "little bit of protection" is mainly psychological, to make those that are nervous feel that "something is being done". It can only delay things. Over the course of the spring term it won't reduce the risk of catching omicron, it may just spreads it out a bit. That may be a good thing in so far as we need to spread out Omicron infection somewhat to avoid the whole country getting it at once... But those that think this kind of measure protects teachers or pupils from ultimately becoming infected are deluded.

I’ve managed to order some today, DD brought 2 packs of 3 home with her when school ended and all local pharmacies here have kits to pick up. I’ve not heard of anywhere there are literally none available for days on end.

@treeflowercat

Well I’d rather slow it down as wouldn’t want to end up in hospital at the moment. My doctor friend was in a serious accident last week and had to wait 4 hours for an ambulance…

My daughter was sent home with a box, and they've already got them in stock for anyone who wants to attend school to do them.

This is a survey regarding return to school arrangements, if anyone has a minute to fill it in?

www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/BZW7Q6S

@AllieBee83

That’s an usforthem survey.. no thanks!

The schools (or at least ours) don't use the same packaging as the home testing.
The school kits I've used come in bulk boxes of about 25 tests each. Not the 7s that you get from a chemist/by ordering/given out at school.

Frankly judging from the number of kids not taking packs home, and the numbers that don't or cant for 'first day back at school test I could probably find enough to test the school with a mix of throat/nose and double nose tests.
But our delivery arrived before the end of term anyway.