On the booster thing, I heard a talk the other week from some scientists who were developing a "lft" style assay for covid antibodies - basically a blood test that could really quickly tell you your antibody levels. And they were working on a saliva test to do the same thing. That approach sounds more sensible to me... so testing antibody levels and giving a booster if they are below a certain level, rather than just giving it to everyone every year/ 6 months/ 3 months routinely. It makes sense that antibody levels don't decline at the same rate in everyone (and I know antibodies aren't the only immunity, but they are a decent back of the envelope measure of how quickly you will react to fight an infection) and some people may need topping up more frequently than others, which may depend on natural infection too. It may be that older/ vulnerable people need a booster more often, but they should probably just be given that as and when, rather than needing to wait for a "round" to be approved by JCVI... so a test at the GP every 3ish months, and then a jab afterwards if needed?
I don't think they will make stuff conditional on future boosters - in the UK at least. There seems to be enough evidence that they don't really do much to stop infection (especially of the newer variants), but they DO stop severe disease, so anyone vulnerable to that should take it to protect themselves. But, like with the flu jag, it shouldn't be made obligatory. Not sure how other countries will play it, and while I'd be annoyed if they retained the requirement for "vaccine within the past 6 months" or whatever, I suppose I'd just weigh that up along with other decisions as to where to go on holiday. I'm sure some countries will realise that their stance on it is putting off/ encouraging tourists and take that into account! That relies on being able to get boosters privately, though, I suppose, which I don't think we can do in the UK yet, so it's all moot really. If there's no universal 4th round, then no one boosted in December will be able to go to Europe in the summer if they have that rule!
I'm on the fence about ending free testing. I think it should still be available to those that want to test before going to see vulnerable relatives/ care homes etc. But I don't think we should be encouraged/ made to test before going into school or the shops or whatever as the messaging is in Scotland at the moment. And having it free and promoted gives organisations the "right" to insist on it when they probably shouldn't. Also, can you imagine the run on people stocking up on LFTs in the next few weeks if they announce they will be chargeable from x date?!
Sorry to hear of your long-something mibbe 