Ending of free testing in England

But these tests aren’t always helping , there is a local choir here and everyone tests before going to the rehearsal evening, A few weeks ago those attending had all tested negative, but the next day the choir leader let everyone know that she had now tested positive for Covid ….within two days 14 out of 20 members had CoviD
??‍♀️

volver

We really need to put a lid on this myth that if we all stop testing the infection rates will be hidden. Just yesterday, the ONS Infection report came out, and that does not use the reported cases to estimate prevalence. As far as I'm aware, the ONS reporting is going to continue. Does anyone have the opposite view?

I don't think that people are so much worried about not knowing what the infection rates are so much as, with the loss of free testing kits people will, wittingly or unwittingly, by 'carrying on with their lives regardless', working and socialising while infected, increase infection rates.

Are you also of the opinion that the research which shows that the covid19 virus can seriously affect any organ in the body, causing long term damage in a way that colds and flu can't, potentially storing up a future public health crisis, is just so much doom mongering?

There have been several posts here and on other threads saying its all a government plot to make it look as though there are fewer cases. That cannot be the case while the ONS are still publishing their results.

I can understand why people are concerned about not being able to test when they feel they should. I have a couple of boxes of tests to use if I go to visit my elderly relatives and I count myself lucky that I can afford to buy more if I need to.

In answer to your last paragraph, the answer is "no".

So it would be really good if people stopped trying to paint everybody who doesn't buy into the apocalypse scenarios as an enemy of the people intent on denying facts.

With regard to care homes surely the home itself has to take some responsibility to check that all visitors have done a lateral flow and for those that cannot afford the £2 to take a test they should have a supply to offer them. The last care home I had experience of charged 1k a week so a few spare tests should not be that extortionate. They I believe will still receive free tests for staff

BlueBelle

But these tests aren’t always helping , there is a local choir here and everyone tests before going to the rehearsal evening, A few weeks ago those attending had all tested negative, but the next day the choir leader let everyone know that she had now tested positive for Covid ….within two days 14 out of 20 members had CoviD
??‍♀️

A test is only as good as the person doing it.

Many many people will not pay for a test. The numbers testing positive will drastically reduce. The people who want to, will use the new stats to their advantage.
Nobody will be able to understand how the stats show so few cases but more people are becoming ill and the hospitals again become overwhelmed.
We are a nation of selfish idiots.
PS. I often feel that only those of us who have been very ill with Covid or lost someone dear, can see through the blindfolds.

MaizieD? QED.

Shinamae
I assure you that it is true Shinamae, do you think I’m lying since you find it difficult to believe?
I am not lying. I arrived at my mother’s care home yesterday to be told by the deputy manager that visitors to care homes are no longer required to test before visiting. My mother has been in a care home for six months and visitors have had to test before visiting. Testing is no longer required by care homes for visitors. This is government policy. The staff are still required to test. The visitors are not required to test. Believe or not Shinamae, but it is the truth.

Legs55

I received a box of LFT kits, no follow up email but I have had a letter stating I am still in a vulnerable group, Diabetic Type2, I'm 66. Also have a PCR test & I will receive tablets if I test positive. So far I have managed to avoid catching Covid, I have numerous Hospital Appointments & still go shopping, I do try to wear a ask but I have breathing difficulties due to having AF. All my family have had it once or twice, maybe I've been lucky or have a natural immunity

I do suffer from Hay Fever (tree pollen) so I do cough, sneeze etc despite all my medication

I'm 67 and type 2 diabetic so does that mean I'm still considered vulnerable. I haven't received any tests or new advice so is it your AF that makes you vulnerable - I don't know what that is!

Incidentally Shinamae, you are telling me what happened last week.
That is no longer relevant, the new guidance came in yesterday, the 1st April. Visitors to care homes no longer need to rest before visiting!

test before visiting……

We have had more of the BA2 variant in Scotland compared to England and Wales and it is even more transmissible than BA1. Northern Ireland had it first and their rates are going down now. I still feel that wearing a mask in crowded places is protective and will keep doing that. I’m also glad we still have free LFTs at the moment.

volver

*MaizieD*? QED.

But...

maddyone kind of illustrates the point I was trying to make about witting or unwitting transmission

Testing is no longer required by care homes for visitors. This is government policy. The staff are still required to test. The visitors are not required to test.

Imperfect though LFTs might be (see Bluebell's post about the choir) they do, in most cases, give a reasonable indication of one's covid status. Without LFTs how will people judge whether or not they're likely to be spreading covid? How likely is it that most people will be willing to, or can afford to, buy LFT kits?

I perfectly understand what you're saying about the ONS survey and the figures not being hidden. (Though I think that people aren't as familiar with it as they are with the government dashboard) Haven't they just announced that they have another year's funding?

MaizieD, we are violent agreement.

we are in violent agreement.

(Must learn to type.)

I still get people coming into my GP surgery wear a face covering

Cases in my area up by 50%. At the school where I work, the covid guidance has been withdrawn in line with the Government's directive and will now be managed in line with any other respiratory infections.

volver

*MaizieD*, we are violent agreement.

Blimey! (Maizie faints with shock emoji)

Rules for visiting care homes changed from the 1st April but it might take a while before all care homes implement them.

No limit to number of visitors, no testing and no booking appointments. No isolation for residents after being in hospital or attending a medical appointment. No automatic lockdown if cases are found among residents or staff, it will depend on advice from local health authority and a risk assessment will be done. If there is an outbreak, residents are entitled to one named visitor. Anyone visiting to help with personal care for a resident will be required to test and these tests will be provided - if visit daily, only need to test two or three times a week, If a resident has Covid, that person can still visit but will need to test, these tests to be provided by the care home. Masks to be worn in corridors and communal areas but not necessary in bedrooms.

Any care home not following these guidelines should be reported to the CQC. Mums care home have been very good about visits, the only difference now will be the lack of testing, I been going for inside visits as often as I like for as long as I like for several weeks and even had lunch there last weekend.

I am slightly uneasy about the lack of testing especially as my mum has not been vaccinated ( she refused to cooperate!) but she’s had Covid twice with no obvious symptoms. I will continue to test as I do have a stock as I would hate to pass Covid to anyone at the care home.

"Volver" Why the need to be so rude? Prof Pagel has been reporting from known data - now that is no longer available ONS figures are all we have. Indie Sage have worked tirelessly to inform the public when sage reports were not available. Just no need for an attack like yours.

Rosie not at all my daughter tested negative for 3 days whilst coughing and obviously not well so she kept in thinking she had a bad cold but it was only on the fourth day that she tested positive so it’s nothing to do with the competence of the person at all She could have been out and about for those three days be.ieving she was fine

Priviliged

"Volver" Why the need to be so rude? Prof Pagel has been reporting from known data - now that is no longer available ONS figures are all we have. Indie Sage have worked tirelessly to inform the public when sage reports were not available. Just no need for an attack like yours.

Rude? Rude?

Why? Because I said that I disagree with her? Because I gave my opinion that she always focuses on the negatives? Because I pointed out that Indy SAGE are self appointed people with no responsibility and no accountability?

If telling the truth is rude, the world has change since I was a girl. I'm not about to defer to them just because they are on YouTube a lot.

How about this?

Prof Pagel is qualified in Operational Research and has done a lot of analysis of the Covid Stats since March 2020. In my opinion, she focuses only on the medical aspects with no consideration given to the societal and economic impacts of her messaging. Independent SAGE are not in any way an official body, and are using the acronym "SAGE" to suggest that they are somehow associated with the official bodies advising the government. They are not, of course, and are completely self appointed with no responsibility for the outcomes or implementation of the measures they advocate. In my opinion, they have been a negative force in the COVID medical communications because they cast doubt on official messaging and on the attitude and response of the general population to the recommendations made by the scientific and medical organisations who actually have the responsibility for managing the UK though the Covid crisis.

Better?

I’m with you on that one, pink quartz.

maddyone

Shinamae
I assure you that it is true Shinamae, do you think I’m lying since you find it difficult to believe?
I am not lying. I arrived at my mother’s care home yesterday to be told by the deputy manager that visitors to care homes are no longer required to test before visiting. My mother has been in a care home for six months and visitors have had to test before visiting. Testing is no longer required by care homes for visitors. This is government policy. The staff are still required to test. The visitors are not required to test. Believe or not Shinamae, but it is the truth.

Finding it difficult to believe is not accusing you of lying..

People previously classified as CEV, and now at ’Higher Risk’ or some such, can still access free tests, and should keep lateral flow tests at home. If covid symptoms become apparent and an LFT is positive and reported in the usual way, the NHS can arrange anti-viral medications as an extra precaution. It’s important not to delay testing and reporting.