Is testing being phased out now by stealth ?

[Twinklingstarface]

Is the Gvt easing us out of this pandemic by testing less so positive case numbers appear to have dropped in a few weeks? I’m sure with the lack of tests employees and pupils will still need to attend work rather than assuming a positive result in absence of a test. All chemists here are out of stock so is this the beginning of the end of asymptomatic isolations?

I've withdrawn my approval for our school to test my DC at the start of school. And yes pre vaccines the tests were necessary to protect the vulnerable - now they aren't. It cannot continue indefinitely and nor should it.

It’s the wrong people testing anyway
The data shows it’s not really the older vulnerable people going to hospital anymore so clearly even if they get covid most are fine

The idea that people in care homes are massively at risk doesn’t show in the data anymore

@Watapalava

Vulnerable people are triple/4x vax

They are not as ‘vulnerable’ to covid anymore - nothing like they were

It’s natural that now risk is reduced, we should reduce reaction to it

Except of course they are the pesky people whose immune systems are so wonky that they might never form the intended immune response.

And of course here's the 25% or so who won't get the expected protection from the current 2+booster

I can see why there voices of caution, and a noticeable contingency planning

Wizz

I withdrew mine months ago

Ds in year 11 said all their year refuse testing now whether parents have consented or not as they don’t want to miss days when not ill

I tend generally to favour cock up over conspiracy, and I think that’s the situation here.

That said, they will (and should) scale down testing - probably around Easter. I don’t think we’ll see mass asymptomatic testing again for free, possibly some workplaces will provide for staff and I expect testing before hospital admission for planned procedures, and probably care home visits (with visitors no doubt paying for their own tests) will carry on for a long time.

[quote RoyalFamilyFan]@Twinklingstarface sorry that is not true. Parents are advised to make sure their secondary age kids are tested regularly. Few people are still doing this. Nurseries do not ask parents to test kids unless they are ill. Workplaces recommend employees test regularly, but again there is no enforcement unless you work with vulnerable people.

Unless you are suggesting people should not test if they have symptoms?

The reason testing has gone up so much is that lots of people are meeting older relatives and want to protect them. Every single person I know with family gatherings with older relatives for Xmas tested. This was entirely predictable. Except by our government.[/quote]
You can’t just say that my experience is wrong. My employer has specifically required tests on numerous and regular occasions as have my childrens’ schools. My sister in law has been asked to provide evidence of daily LFT at her child’s nursery. It may not be a “ legal requirement “ but they have decided that is the policy they will follow. So testing maybe being done for vulnerable visits but it is absolutely NOT the only testing being done.

Marvellous for those of us who are CEV and can’t work from home, thrown under a bus yet again. Ffs. Obv we can die and it doesn’t matter because we have underlying conditions do are collateral damage.

I wondered , what with all the people having positive lft’s but negative pcr’s , whether the pcr tests are being knobbled ( joking, sort of )

@Watapalava

It’s the wrong people testing anyway The data shows it’s not really the older vulnerable people going to hospital anymore so clearly even if they get covid most are fine

The idea that people in care homes are massively at risk doesn’t show in the data anymore

Seriously stupid comment. Even the TV news explains that it is young people then moves up through the ages.

I am not sure a country that conducted 1.5 million tests yesterday (that were reported would have been more) is phasing them out but you know you go whatever works for you!

@DeckTheHallsWithGin

Totally. A million with Long Covid and there will be more.

I am 3 x jabbed but I honestly don't think this will stop Covid from messing my body up. Already only operate on 50% of energy normal for someone my age. I kinda feel doomed. DS back to school soon and there is little chance we will avoid it.

Though being mild for many it is still a potentially dangerous and damaging virus for others. Its unpredictability makes it hard to balance risks.

So yes, for me testing is a way to keep people safe. Prevention is better than cure.

Testing is unsustainable. Think how much it costs to buy in all these tests (from China!) which are then given out free of charge. Also the environmental impact of all that bloody plastic sickens me.

Come on then genius, what’s the best way to reduce the impact of this global pandemic? I assume you don’t want any restrictions either?

I think the ultimate aim is to wean the public off regular testing access, as a deliberate tactic, but the current shortage is because of government ineptitude.

I agree with this

@DeckTheHallsWithGin

Marvellous for those of us who are CEV and can’t work from home, thrown under a bus yet again. Ffs. Obv we can die and it doesn’t matter because we have underlying conditions do are collateral damage.

Yes - those who had cancer diagnosed before the pandemic were all going to die anyhow.

Compare how it's a tragedy that some newly diagnosed have had treatment delays.

Same demographic, same cancer - do they matter or not?

that is why I've been stockpiling and advising others too

Jesus Christ - I only hope those you are "advising" are not listening to you

@Dghgcotcitc

I am not sure a country that conducted 1.5 million tests yesterday (that were reported would have been more) is phasing them out but you know you go whatever works for you!

I agree with this

What is the rate like compared to other countries

Nah. I reckon if they wanted to phase out testing they could just do it- I doubt they'd get a massive outcry.

I think there will be a gradual move towards a pay as you go model. Tomorrow a private (assume they have some sort of contract) company is opening in our medium sized village offering fit to fly PCRs with a fast turnaround for about 80 quid. I suspect by later in the year there may be a charge for all tests.

Whilst free they will be used but I agree with pp that charging, even minimal, would phase out fairly quickly if that’s what was wanted

Yes.
Then they can say the number if cases is going down. Claim victory. Don’t need any restrictions and look we just need to learn to live with the virus (latest comment from our health minister)

And act all surprised when the number if people in hospital is increasing and getting too much to cope with.

@OvaHere

I think there will be a gradual move towards a pay as you go model. Tomorrow a private (assume they have some sort of contract) company is opening in our medium sized village offering fit to fly PCRs with a fast turnaround for about 80 quid. I suspect by later in the year there may be a charge for all tests.

The fit to flight testing companies have been there since 2020. Nothing new there at all.

But asking people to pay for a test?

No one will test and the virus will just run rampant.
You’ll just have to hope that you don’t catch it.

I understood it was the plan to bring in charges from April 2022, but the new variant may be an issue. It depends how things go really - but Sunak is supposed to be against continuing with free tests.

It will be harsh if they are charged for for everyone, given income disparity.

We have the vaccine - covid is going nowhere and will become like all the other diseases we have in society now - and those who are vulnerable will continue to have a yearly vaccine. This cycle can't continue and the health secretary is right - we do need to live with it!

The fit to flight testing companies have been there since 2020.
Nothing new there at all.

I was surprised to see one in a small location though which made me think eventually all tests might be processed by such companies.