Is This A Waste Of Money?

[ichkeria]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-56632084

Sorry if it's covered elsewhere. I can't see it.

[bhg481]

Having the vaccine was just one thing; there were several others such as isolating etc. You might have noticed that not everybody has been vaccinated yet. Anyone can pick up the virus and give it an opportunity to mutate; take all the recommended steps you can to reduce this risk.

[ToraToraTora]

TC: "I guess 60%, if not more will end up going straight in the bin when they fall through the letter box, you don't really think that the people that are still working are going to put themselves out of work do you, I know Boris is daft enough to think so." - gawd what's happening? I agree with TC, I need a lie down! Most will not bother with a test because it comes with a punishment if found positive, it ain't rocket, vaccination + controls is the way out of this, simples.

[naomi24]

No, it’s not a waste of money. The government is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. They seem to be doing all they can to combat this virus and keep people safe. Anyone who refuses this offer and thinks it’s a waste of money can’t say they weren’t given the opportunity - but they’ll moan and criticise anyway 'cos that's what they do.

[Georgiesmum]

I think most people will be more than happy to do the test, just to give them peace of mind, the same as having the jabs will.

[emmie]

i will have my second vaccination, and take a test if they feel its necessary, but lots of people won;t do either

[teacake44]

The jab don't put you out of work, and why would you need peace of mind if there's nothing wrong with you ie, feeling fit and healthy, pointless and a waste of time and money.

[ToraToraTora]

"I think most people will be more than happy to do the test, just to give them peace of mind, the same as having the jabs will. " - not if they can't afford 2 weeks off work.

[Prudie]

I believe TTT makes a major point - and just because some think it's a waste of money doesn't mean they won't comply - but most on here are either retired or isolating would have little impact on salary. I'm lucky enough to be able to have weeks on full pay if I'm sick plus I can work from home if I want but millions are not in that position. The crux of it all though remains that these tests are very unreliable.

[teacake44]

There's only ever been one way of fighting any virus, and that's by vaccine. We now have the best vaccine we can get at this moment in time. There has got to be thousands of people sitting at home now spitting blood about this testing that's months and months to late. Those thousands and thousands of people think they may have cancer/ or the cancer is going un-checked, and un-tested. This government need now to change direction for these people, and just
keep the vaccination going for the virus.

[New Judge]

"Anyone who tests positive using a lateral flow test will be expected to self-isolate along with their household."

Will be expected to? Or will be ordered to (accompanied by threat of criminal sanctions)?

//"I think most people will be more than happy to do the test, just to give them peace of mind, the same as having the jabs will. " - not if they can't afford 2 weeks off work.//

Exactly, Tora. Many of those who have continued working (excluding those not WFH) are doing so because they have to. They are either not eligible for furlough, their employers want to continue trading or they are self-employed. These people cannot take a fortnight off work on the off-chance that they may have an infection which, if they notice anything at all, will just come down to a mild illness. The people who devise these plans seem to think that people can just take time off work as and when required. They can't. I have been speaking to a lot of tradesmen in the last year and almost as one they tell me that they simply cannot take time off work. That's why, when pubs were open and people had to sign in, there were many Disney characters apparently turning up for a pint in the King's Head.

[New Judge]

^^^ excluding those working from home

[dave50]

Assuming people will do the test because they want to feel safe or do the right thing is asking a lot after all this time. I think that ship has sailed. They might have done in the early days but people have had enough especially now the vaccine roll out has been so successful. All this continued talk of more testing and talk of further lock downs is testing their patience to the limit and that includes me.

[emmie]

i signed in at the local when it was possible to have a drink, seems so long ago now, with my own name and mobile number.

[ichkeria]

They will be available by post if you order one, I think is the idea.
They won't just "arrive"

[bluemoon1]

Sounds like just the job, live your life as normal, then when you want to go to a football match, concert, flight abroad etc get a negative test and off you go.

[jim360]

// No, it’s not a waste of money. The government is damned if it does and damned if it doesn’t. They seem to be doing all they can to combat this virus and keep people safe. //

I'm happy to accept the second and third points here, but I'm confused how it applies to this specific scheme. After all, the mere act of doing something that has "Covid" in the description can't be its own justification. Is this scheme going to be successful or effective? That's a more important question to ask, and answer, and as far as I can see there's no attempt made to even try in your post.

The key criticisms levelled at the scheme are:

1. high relative rate of false positives, especially in the present period, when the levels of Covid are low compared to the peak;
2. high chance of false negatives, giving people false confidence to go out and thereby spread the disease further;
3. chances of low compliance, rendering the exercise relatively pointless.

It can't be the case that supporting the Government is unconditional. I want to support the Government to help it do the *right* thing. This may not be it, although I reserve judgement on that for now.

[ichkeria]

"The health secretary said it would help squash any outbreaks as lockdown eases. "

They will do no such thing, pretty obviously.
I think it's good that people will have access to some sort of test if they want one, but why do these things have to be heralded with what plainly is nonsensical hype.

[tiggerblue10]

I ordered a pack of LFTs off the NHS website and my son went to stay with his dad for the week. I thought they were just doing this for secondary schools but found out you can get them for primary school children too.

[teacake44]

The nonsensical hype has been just a bigger problem as the pandemic, along with many lies.

[naomi24]

Jim, I don’t give a hoot whether you accept what I’ve said or not. I don’t need you to tell me what I should be addressing. Get over yourself.