So happy tests are to be axed

[Wizzbangfizz]

So according to reports they are going to stop handing out LFT and will be stopping mass testing - this is excellent news for both the tax payer and the environment and surely marks a clear path this whole thing becoming endemic

@Bluebluemoon

Can somebody who is excited tell me why this is good news? Is it a tax thing?

No, it's a "beginning of the end" thing.

If people have to pay they will stop buying them, numbers of recorded infections will diminish, so then will isolations and we can get back to "normality".
Yes, people will now die of covid/with covid along with the multitude of other things people die of/with.

It's sad but guess what? We all have to die of something - it would be great if we could all die comfortably in our sleep aged 110, but that's not realistic.

Isn't it more of a 'pretending it is the beginning of the end' thing?

I found this statement I hope we will be one of the first major economies to demonstrate to the world how you transition from pandemic to endemic, and then deal with this however long it remains with us, whether that’s five, six, seven, 10 years from Zahawi really rather weird.

We don't decide it is endemic, it is a process that will happen naturally. We can call it endemic if we want to, but it is what it is.

I think the government have freaked out at the news it is going to take longer to get to endemic status than originally hoped.

It seems the government have 'decided' that Omicron is the last variant. Obviously everyone hopes they are right but...

It seems the government have 'decided' that Omicron is the last variant. Obviously everyone hopes they are right but...

But we can't carry on as we are in case of "what if's?"

Obviously they have weighed everything up and decided this is the path of lesser evil? Yes it could bite us on the arse but the economy is fucked and with all the other ramifications of lockdowns and restrictions having far reaching consequences I don't see how it's feasible to continue.

I have every sympathy for how scary this news must be for people and the families of people with vulnerabilities.

*Because this isn’t the flu.

Because covid is a much greater risk.

Honestly, did you pay attention in 2020?*

Whilst it isn't the flu, a bad flu season can kill 50,000 in this country. And is dangerous to the same people which covid is.

But the self righteous like to pretend they were first to care about protecting the vulnerable.

I know some would like restrictions just in case re new variant but it doesn’t make sense to do it

We will shift after peak tg

*Because this isn’t the flu.

Because covid is a much greater risk.

Honestly, did you pay attention in 2020*

As my earlier post said, if we tested as diligently for flu as we do for covid, I think most people would been very surprised just how many people actually contract and sadly die of flu every year. It’s dismissed as though it’s if no consequence - but like covid, it’s also killer, especially to the elderly. Many winter deaths in care homes from lower respiratory infections - an extremely common entry on death certificates - would actually be from flu.

Pre covid, the advice was always stay away from the doctor, they can do nothing for you and you run the risk of transmitting it to others so consequently thousands of cases will go unreported every year. I’ve had flu twice and was very poorly but ended up sweating it out alone at home. Unlike covid, flu is not a notifiable disease.

We can't work on what ifs and we can't adopt this fallacy of keeping everyone safe - it is impossible.

For everyone crying about new variants - we would need to close all borders and stop all travel - unrealistic and infeasible.

And no people didn't worry about people before and wear masks to protect the vulnerable - the coughed and spluttered and will likely to continue to do so as covid becomes just like the other respiratory illnesses.

@MarshaBradyo yes in Primary. Family members were specifically asked to test in both Primary and Secondary. Primary actually more important as kids don't test.

@Wizzbangfizz

We can't work on what ifs and we can't adopt this fallacy of keeping everyone safe - it is impossible.

For everyone crying about new variants - we would need to close all borders and stop all travel - unrealistic and infeasible.

And no people didn't worry about people before and wear masks to protect the vulnerable - the coughed and spluttered and will likely to continue to do so as covid becomes just like the other respiratory illnesses.

You’re absolutely right.

And there is an element of self responsibility too. If you know you’re vulnerable, you need to make your own assessment about risks.
As I keep saying, before covid, if you were receiving chemo you were advised not to mix, to avoid crowds, avoid too much interaction with children, practise good hygiene etc. All common sense as the slightest infection, even from a cold, could be fatal.

How on Earth do some people think the immuno suppressed managed before everyone jumped on the virtue signalling platform?

Bang goes my plan, cant get a test anywhere. I have enough to take my friend to hospital next week, but after that I am fucked.

@2389Champ I assume you know nothing about this. Avoid interaction with children? So if you get cancer put your kids into care presumably?

"Buy your own" is fine for people who have a disposable income. My disabled friend is on benefits. They have many health problems (physical and mental). They're very vulnerable. I can see this being a very serious issue for them.
My elderly family don't have a disposable income.

What are people who are living hand to mouth supposed to do? Seriously.

Just because some people haven't been extremely ill doesn't mean the same will be the case for others. Just because some people don't care about contracting illness or infecting others, likewise.

Yes, I know it costs money, but given the amount that has been mismanaged, misdirected and generally pissed about with, it isn't that we can't afford to fund it. It is that we don't want to.

[quote RoyalFamilyFan]@2389Champ I assume you know nothing about this. Avoid interaction with children? So if you get cancer put your kids into care presumably?[/quote]
Sorry, I should have qualified this. My DF was advised to limit interaction with children outside of the immediate family because of infection risk.

@rrhuth

I think the government have freaked out at the news it is going to take longer to get to endemic status than originally hoped.

By not taking strong measures to stop Omicron's spread, Covid will likely be endemic by the end of February, perhaps sooner. The more we try and suppress Covid, the longer it will take to become endemic.

[quote treeflowercat]@rrhuth

I think the government have freaked out at the news it is going to take longer to get to endemic status than originally hoped.

By not taking strong measures to stop Omicron's spread, Covid will likely be endemic by the end of February, perhaps sooner. The more we try and suppress Covid, the longer it will take to become endemic.[/quote]
What is your background to make that assertion?

@WeatherwaxOn

"Buy your own" is fine for people who have a disposable income. My disabled friend is on benefits. They have many health problems (physical and mental). They're very vulnerable. I can see this being a very serious issue for them. My elderly family don't have a disposable income.

What are people who are living hand to mouth supposed to do? Seriously.

Just because some people haven't been extremely ill doesn't mean the same will be the case for others. Just because some people don't care about contracting illness or infecting others, likewise.

Yes, I know it costs money, but given the amount that has been mismanaged, misdirected and generally pissed about with, it isn't that we can't afford to fund it. It is that we don't want to.

Exactly this

People talking about endemic don't understand what it means. It doesn't simply mean that loads of people are infected.

@2389Champ and what about if you're like that for life? So no crowds every again, no mixing...
trust me, it's not a fun situation to have been in the past two years
I'm neutropenic, as if I am on chemo except I'm not so I have all the risks but my body will be like this for the rest of my life

@luckylavender

Lots of articles on this...

Here's one:

"He added that as we move towards the spring “and we see the back of Omicron”, we can live with COVID more as an endemic disease."

www.cityam.com/omicron-could-be-first-ray-of-light-towards-covid-becoming-an-endemic-says-scientist/

My friend has cancer and I am taking her to hospital appointments. The official advice to her is not to get taxis or public transport but to get a lift from someone who tests beforehand. That is me. I cant afford to isolate while she has her hospital treatment. I can test and will do what I can to get free tests.

[quote treeflowercat]@rrhuth

I think the government have freaked out at the news it is going to take longer to get to endemic status than originally hoped.

By not taking strong measures to stop Omicron's spread, Covid will likely be endemic by the end of February, perhaps sooner. The more we try and suppress Covid, the longer it will take to become endemic.[/quote]
If you say so!

I'm not sure endemic actually means what you think it means?

Scientists are thinking around four years to get there, but I am sure you know best.

@RoyalFamilyFan

My friend has cancer and I am taking her to hospital appointments. The official advice to her is not to get taxis or public transport but to get a lift from someone who tests beforehand. That is me. I cant afford to isolate while she has her hospital treatment. I can test and will do what I can to get free tests.

Talking about hoarding tests online will encourage others to do the same,

So if you want to access them just do it without talking about it.

@Bluebluemoon

It seems the government have 'decided' that Omicron is the last variant. Obviously everyone hopes they are right but...

But we can't carry on as we are in case of "what if's?"

Obviously they have weighed everything up and decided this is the path of lesser evil? Yes it could bite us on the arse but the economy is fucked and with all the other ramifications of lockdowns and restrictions having far reaching consequences I don't see how it's feasible to continue.

I have every sympathy for how scary this news must be for people and the families of people with vulnerabilities.

By we do you mean the public or the UKHSA?

UKHSA very much have to continue in a mode of 'what if' for some years now. They need to monitor and check because the worst situation we the public could end up in is a dreadful variant only detected once cases get to hospital.

That doesn't mean we the public have to operate on a 'what if' basis day to day.

But it would be pretty mad to think it was definitely done and dusted, it hopefully will improve and improve (especially due to drug treatments) but we (both the UKHSA and the public) are at risk of flare ups presumably for some time to come.

[quote MaybeHeIsMyCat]@2389Champ and what about if you're like that for life? So no crowds every again, no mixing...
trust me, it's not a fun situation to have been in the past two years
I'm neutropenic, as if I am on chemo except I'm not so I have all the risks but my body will be like this for the rest of my life [/quote]
Believe me, I sympathise completely. I’ve had a close family member in a very similar situation. I’m so sorry that the last two years have been particularly shit for those in your position.

I guess the point I’m trying to make is; I would rather take responsibility for my own and/or my family’s health than assume or rely on others ‘doing the right thing’ After all, strangers won’t have the same diligence, vigilance or motivation to be careful as they won’t have the serious consequences of their unwitting carelessness, even if it’s done with the best of intentions - I would rather trust my own judgements. If that makes sense?

@MarshaBradyo I only have enough for her appointment next week. I have tried today everywhere to get more and cant. So not hoarding, I cant get what I need.

@2389Champ yep, and for me that means isolating as I can't trust people not to go out even when they're positive
The LFTs are important for me as it means someone can test before they see me otherwise I am totally isolated