Government is lying about lack of availability of CV testing chemicals

There is a big batch of antibody tests being shipped at great expense from China, but Public Health England say it will take time to see if they are effective because ‘a bad test is no worse than no test at all’.

This ‘time’ is a lot of BS, take it from one who knows about lab tests. This particular test gives a result in seconds (like a pregnancy test) and can be self administered from a droplet of blood.

Tests like this can be ‘tested’ in the laboratory very quickly. If it was a culture which had to be grown that is a different matter but these are chemical reactions. Therefore with the right will, a few thousand blood samples from those who they know have had the virus and recovered and a ditto from a control group who think they haven’t then the results could be cleared within 48 hours to a probability factor of +/- %.

It makes me so cross that certain people are dragging their heels on this.

I mean the blood test one shows antibodies and therefore when herd immunity is achieved

My understanding is that the current test only checks for presence of the virus, not antibodies - that requires a blood test - but it’s the one that would show when herd immunity is achieved. I could be wrong though.

The government also lied about the EU and supplying equipment. First they claimed they weren't asked, then they said they were too late. Now it seems they actually attended meetings and just didn't take part. Talk about Lying!!! www.theguardian.com/world/2020/mar/30/uk-discussed-joint-eu-plan-to-buy-covid-19-medical-supplies-say-officials?fbclid=IwAR1bfLTTg0LRIG8jKrBAI93dUzfXCzDXrGv-zfqLosApleAXca-S44q858E

gg13 I’m not up with the science, although my daughter is. I could ask her after she’s finished work for the day.

I do know that because it is such a new virus, there are a number of unknowables, like how long does immunity last.

There are now two mutations and this is going to make the science more difficult especially in producing a vaccine.

It does seem very much more infectious than say SARS or MERS.

Whitewavemark2 Do you know if the current test indicates whether you have Covid-19 and/or are a carrier?

I have been unable to find out online (trying to concentrate whilst binge watching all Pirates of the Caribbean films with 5 yr old GC and fast forwarding through the inappropriate parts) but have not been successful.

I absolute agree that in the case of the four paramedics who house-share and are now all self-isolating due to one showing symptoms it would be sensible for them to be tested. No doubt there are many more similar scenarios.

Like I said he didn’t report what he’d been told. He just omitted a little bit that actually changed the meaning quite a lot.

I think that’s why we swear the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth......

I agree. They made a big mistake over testing.

I wish they’d be honest about it.

But I wish that journalists would be honest too. By all means call out the mistakes in the hope they will be recognised and rectified. Don’t twist a fact to get yourself and your newspaper the “headline”.

If I am to be honest, I thoroughly despise anybody that is using this pandemic as a political football.

Eglantine I didn't see anything on TV, but I read about it on the ITV website. As far as I can see, he reported exactly what he'd been told at the time.

We seem to have some muddled thinking on here with people claiming that testing is a waste of time, which is a different issue from whether there are enough chemical reagents for the kits.

I honestly don't know how useful testing is in the current situation, but the fact is that the WHO, Public Health England and the Francis Crick Institute seem to think it's important. Johnson, himself, has said that it's crucial and has promised more tests. The government has changed tack on this, which is presumably why it didn't order chemicals and kits in time. It's trying to cover up and only the dim, blinkered and extremely forgetful can't see that.

Both types of testing is vitally important. Clinical staff are self isolating when they show symptoms, and continue to self isolate for a period of time after feeling better. If it was proven that they didn’t have it they would be free to return to work ASAP. None of it has been happening though until this week.

The antibody test is important, but really a tool more to be used at a later stage once the peak is past and decisions are being made about releasing the restrictions

The important test is the one to check for "antibodies" which is apparently close to being rolled out.

You could check a frontline worker for the virus, they show a negative result. On their way home they go to the supermarket pick up the infection which is possible. They think they are negative.......you cannot check everyone everyday.

But still, he didn’t actually report what he’d been told did he? He doctored it a bit to make a better soundbite.

So I don’t think he can be considered a totally reliable source for any future information, do you?

I think that we can all agree with what you have said a few times now. notanan

That isn’t the issue though is it?

SK and Germany to name just two countries have consistently tested and it would certainly appear to be beneficial particularly with clinical staff

The issue is the government failing to take action in a timely manner. It did nothing for 2 months, then made the decision to follow the herd immunity theory until it was challenged and consequently changed its mind. Meanwhile no thought was apparently given to the WHO advise to test test test. Or if it was it was clearly shelved. Now when the consequence of this almost complete lack of testing of NHS staff is becoming clear the government seems completely on the back foot.

Chemical companies couldn't have started production without clear instructions and a contract. It would have been very foolish to start stockpiling something the government might have sourced elsewhere.

Interesting article on TV about a new piece of testing that’s currently being used in Addenbrookes - they’ve got 200 machines on the go that take minutes to confirm the presence of the virus with plans to produce thousands more.

Am I right in thinking that most tests only test for presence of the virus and not antibodies? So no way of knowing if/when we’ve reached full herd immunity?

Well that might be true growstuff reporting what he had been told wouldn’t have been scaremongering except he was a bit, mm journalistic?, about what he says he was told.

He was actually told that there was no shortage of the basic materials needed to make the reactants. The CIA went on (reportedly) to say that as the Government hadn’t requested them to step up production, they hadn’t, and so the reactants themselves were in short supply.

That didn’t make quite such a snappy headline though.

Yes the Government should have requested them to step up production. But surely the CIA could have seen that coming and bear some responsibility. But they are not Preston’s target.

Does it all have to come from the Government, who ever they are? Can nobody think for themselves any more?

It seems that many labs have equipment and have contacted the government but have not been able to get a response.

batches

Well, I'm amazed there are so many experts, who claim testing is a waste of time, on GN.

Testing = good
Testing using dodgy batched of rushed through not properly checked/stored tests = worse than no testing.

Sussexborn The government is doing a very good job all on its own of terrifying the fearful.

That wasn't a helpful comment Sussexborn.

I know who I'd like in my team in a crisis situation!

Well, I'm amazed there are so many experts, who claim testing is a waste of time, on GN.

I really think that they should be advising Professor Cosford and Dr Yvonne Doyle, both of Public Health England, Sir Paul Nurse of the Francis Frick Institute and Johnson himself, because they all seem to think we need much more testing. Curious!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52130230

If it really is such a waste of time, the public should be told, not made even more insecure by empty promises.

Carry on draining your serotonin with all your frustration and angst. Reporting half truths as facts. The lower it goes the lower your mental health and ability to resist/survive the disease will be. Never mind you will still be as smug and superior (in your own minds) as ever. Keep up the good work of terrifying the anxious and fearful. The one thing you do well.

Well Said WWm2

Why are people coming here from Italy Spain and elsewhere without being quarantined

Because we ARE a hotspot.
And community transmission is now a bigger risk than incommers. If anything we're a risk to them..