And so it goes on ... a failure in Test and Trace.

I've just found out that I live in an area where we aren't supposed to travel. I have seen that they want people to be tested twice a week. I saw the queues for tests on TV -no masks no social distanceing whatsoever. Am I going? NO!

One of the things that has not been clarified (or I haven't seen it) is just how ill those who have only one dose can/will be from the (First found in India variant)FFIIV. With only 30% protection (apparently). We know a very large proportion of the elderly and people with the underlying illness have been vaccinated and should have better protection but what about the younger people who have only had one vaccine. Long Covid seems to be going to an ongoing challenge - will there be more because of this variant?

Again, it seems there is so much reliance on the vaccine and little attention to suppression by TTTI.

Official guidance has been updated to advise against all but essential travel in Bedford, Blackburn and Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, Hounslow, and North Tyneside, where the Indian variant is growing fastest.

This is where Test, Track, Trace and Isolate (TTTI) should be working to suppress any new outbreaks and especially those of new variants. I do understand that have been affected by the errors in sending out the information from the centre for three weeks to some areas but these are all in areas where, to get people to isolate, you will need to make it possible for them and their families not to starve.

As I have said on another thread, but it is equally relevant here, the issue, as I see it, is that we have to adapt from Lockdown Strategy to Suppression Strategy. We cannot just go from lockdown (at any level) to nothing or to something that isn't working at a high level. The government has, in my opinion, singularly failed to bring this up to scratch. As far as I can see this is the only way we can open up the country.

Apparently the Test & Trace system cost £37 billion and apparently the verdict is that it made no significant difference.

True. However I’ve been pretty much shielding for over a year now and the only places I have been to is the dentists and for various vaccinations, so all of those places will have a record of me being there. My worry is that younger people are working and socialising and not giving correct details when they go out (which people have told me on Facebook is happening). And I was saying a year ago that people will not self isolate if they’re self employed or working on zero hours contracts because they can’t afford to.

Thanks growstuff and MayBee70. This partly backs up what I suspect.
Several friends and one of my sisters do not have compatible phones, others don’t want the app on their phone, though they have all been vaccinated.

I’ve got an ancient Nokia so can’t download anything. I was about to buy a decent phone when the pandemic started but didn’t want to go to a shop to buy one. I’m still not going to shops. As soon as I can I will buy one. If I got one via the internet I wouldn’t know how to set it up etc.

I have no idea whether people who have refused a vaccine have also refused any form of tracing. However, studies have shown demographic trends in those who haven't accepted vaccines. People who live in rented accommodation and those in lower paid jobs have been less likely to accept vaccines than others. I don't know why.

To answer your first question, Mollygo, my phone is too old to download the track and trace app, so I don't have it. I haven't been in a situation for over a year where there was more than a miniscule risk of being infected, so I wasn't that bothered about it. However, I received my vaccination (both doses) as soon as it became available for my age group.

It would be interesting to know figures about:
-how many on GN have downloaded a track and trace app,
-how many did not wish to download it, and their reasons for not doing so,
-how many didn’t have the appropriate device to download it,

Also, how many bother to scan the code on entry to places where it is offered, e.g. the gym.

Nothing is efficient unless everyone uses it.
I do wonder how many vaccine refusers also refuse to use any form of tracing.

Three of our local authorities have had to wait three weeks for data from the national test and trace.

If local public health departments were given the funding to manage the track and trace from the outset they would have been able to do a better job than the national system, which has had millions spent on it. They are in fact doing a very efficient job in many areas now. They have been run down for several years.

The Independent Sage group which meets on YouTube weekly have frequently discussed problems with the national track and trace system. The international recommendations are that close contacts of those who test positive should also be tested. This was not done in U.K. but contacts were routinely advised just to isolate. Also without adequate financial support those on zero hours contracts are unlikely to isolate if they cannot feed their families. It’s not really rocket science.

Alegrias1

Absolutely correct.
This is a system with one purpose and it failed. It's not a case of "** happens", it's a disastrous failure that has killed people.

EllanVannin

Wouldn't it be up to the companies that people work for ?

Many companies don't give sick pay. Some would go bankrupt if they did. Maybe the law should be changed so that companies take out compulsory sick pay insurance, but then there would be people who would claim that some companies and their employees would abuse it, as they do with claims about public service.

No, the quickest and most efficient way to ensure people take time off, for the benefit of everybody, would be through the benefits system. In the context of what's already been spent, it would be a tiny amount.

Like booking for Portugal and strolling into Spain ? It's only on the doorstep.

Isn't it also easy to drive through borders and into other countries without saying anything about where you're going ?

EllanVannin

What about those who test positive but because of financial commitments they have to continue working. Is that Boris's fault ?
I can bet that this has happened and will continue to do so.

You could equally ask if it's their fault. Boris has minds around him who can explain the push and pull factors encouraging people to behave as we need them to. Generally, it has to be said, the right goes for punishment for none compliance without ever taking on board that this still does not get the compliance required.

Are you saying that if you could not put food on the table for your children you wouldn't go to work? A good Tory would probably blame you if you didn't work and they went hungry or if you did and broke the rules. What is the harm balanced with the huge good, in giving support and enabling these people to do what helps us all?

The problem with right-wing thinking as I have described it is that once people start to break rules some will continue; so dear old Boris will create the very society the red-top rags scream about, where parts of it are not fit to live in.

Wouldn't it be up to the companies that people work for ?

Cross post varian.

EllanVannin

What about those who test positive but because of financial commitments they have to continue working. Is that Boris's fault ?
I can bet that this has happened and will continue to do so.

Yes. The government has been told repeatedly that this is happening, but have failed to provide the funding to enable people to isolate themselves. The money would have been peanuts in the context of the total amount which has been spent.

Failing to support

It is the fault of a government faing to support workers to self isolate.

What about those who test positive but because of financial commitments they have to continue working. Is that Boris's fault ?
I can bet that this has happened and will continue to do so.

I wasnt blamed Infact I was the only one to notice that suddenly the trial balance didnt balance which actually cant really happen but a bit of wizzery from tech sorted it
They only would have heard my colourful language

rosie1959

Alegrias1

rosie1959 you got me on another of my hobby horses - software development, quality and requirements

Alegrais I do just tend to say honestly what I think and be honest about my feelings
But am always willing to learn from anyone with more knowledge.
But I still hate masks and honestly think I will not be alone in chucking them in the bin ASAP

If you're right and a significant number of people chuck them in the bin, incidence rates will rise and sensible, cautious people will be denied the freedom to go to places they might want to visit.

rosie1959

Then I bow to your clearly superior knowledge Algerias
I am quite obviously not on your level
Fortunately nobody had my guts for garters as it was caused by a system error and my only superior the CEO would not dream of doing son

If you had no responsibility for the system rosie1959 you could not and should not be blamed but someone does have that responsibility and they are not fulfilling it. I don't think we can keep making excuses after all this time and on every error. Of course some errors happen but thats why we must have a Covid enquiry as soon as possible and learn from the mistakes.