Ending of free testing in England

I’ve just read it volver. it’s unbelievable isn’t it? Perhaps I’d better illustrate this again, which I’ve already done on several threads already, just so effalump can understand.

effalump I know I had Covid ‘really bad’ because I was admitted to hospital with it and I stayed there for twelve days. During that time I was treated with oxygen therapy for eleven days (my oxygen saturation was 82 when I was admitted) antibiotics, anti viral infusions, potassium, steroids, omeprazole, and there were two other drugs that I can’t remember (eight treatments in all) but one of them was to dry up the secretions that made me feel as if I was drowning, and I had a CT scan to check if there were blood clots in my lungs. I was lucky, there weren’t. I had Covid pneumonia in one lung and subsequent X-rays have shown scarring to my lungs. The next one is due in June. So that is what having Covid ‘really bad’ looks like, but of course it can be much, much worse for some people. Now we’re vaccinated, fewer people get Covid ‘really bad.’ Some people are quite ill but don’t need hospital treatment. A number of Gransnetters have mentioned this. At least one Gransnetter was hospitalised and on a ventilator. That’s why I’m still cautious, but at the same time trying to get on with my life.

What rot!

effalump

It amazes me when people say "I had Covid really bad", etc. How on earth do you know. Neither of the tests actually determine which virus it is, only that there are (usually remnants) of viruses in our bodily system which, along with bacteria, we all carry out approx. 2lb in our bodies.
If you keep being told that you will feel extremely ill with it, several times a day on several different types of media, you will become conditioned to feel ill, even if you aren't.

Hope you're reading this maddyone. Seems it was all in your mind.

It’s shambolic. You can now work with covid and not bother testing.
Given that so many are going to plunge into debt with the fuel rises fiasco , whilst only getting sick pay what are they expected to do? People are in catch 22 and those most at risk, are the victims

Personally I think it's ridiculous and quiet possibly dangerous to end free testing.
The whole pandemic has been mishandled imo.

It amazes me when people say "I had Covid really bad", etc. How on earth do you know. Neither of the tests actually determine which virus it is, only that there are (usually remnants) of viruses in our bodily system which, along with bacteria, we all carry out approx. 2lb in our bodies.
If you keep being told that you will feel extremely ill with it, several times a day on several different types of media, you will become conditioned to feel ill, even if you aren't.

We are currently in Italy where admission to Restaurants, Museums, public places indoors, etc require green pass ( our 3rd NHS certificate) and in one instance not allowed entry without an FFP2 mask, not just any other type. I was wearing a UK medical (pleated) one, provided in our hospitals, but had to change it to my FFP3 which I wear on the flights.

Except if you work in a medical environment like a Covid Vac Centre kjmpde.

i wonder about the need for testing as there is no need to isolate anymore even if positive. it may be madness but it is true

My DH has worked in a vaccination centre since the first rollout and has avoided Covid, but he caught it last week.
Like a heavy cold/flu.
I hope you and your son have mild symptoms Socks .

You do wonder sometimes if the govt. doesn't mind if the elderly and more expensive patients drop off the rolls. I know I do, wonder that is, here in the USA.

My son delivered all over during the start of the pandemic and never caught it. Last weekend he caught covid. I've got it now also.

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.

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..

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

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?

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

"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.

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

*MaizieD*, we are violent agreement.

Blimey! (Maizie faints with shock emoji)

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.

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

we are in violent agreement.

(Must learn to type.)

MaizieD, we are violent agreement.

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?