England will have no further Covid restrictions until after the New Year.

It appears that there isn’t a test to be had in England.

I seem to remember that we spent £37billion on a test and trace system.

It seems criminal to me quite frankly.

£37billion would probably vaccinate the entire world.

We still offered tests every time we go to the chemist. There appears to be no problem getting tests here yet.

No problems getting test kits in my area either.

nanna. I think the reason for the change in attitude towards the virus is the realisation that now Omicron is in Australia it will sweep through the population no matter what you do and it shouldn’t be too much of a problem given that the symptoms are quite mild in most cases and the vaccination programme is going well. You may feel that Australia used draconian methods to control the virus but your death rate is minuscule compared to ours.

?

Whitewavemark2

It appears that there isn’t a test to be had in England.

I seem to remember that we spent £37billion on a test and trace system.

It seems criminal to me quite frankly.

£37billion would probably vaccinate the entire world.

Not just England Whitewavemark2 there are currently no PCR tests available to book in Wales either.

We have been able to get LFT’s delivered last week.

As for vaccinating the world ideological as it may seem there are still many Countries who have vaccines but their population is reluctant to be jabbed. As I see it there needs to be more education readily available worldwide regarding the benefits of vaccination as opposed to being hospitalised with Covid-19.

Here you really didn’t have a choice not to be vaccinated. Not that that worries me, for once I think they were right. They wouldn’t let you into libraries, restaurants, cafes, clothes shops, general stores without a certificate. I only know of one person my age who is unvaccinated and they won’t let her come to Probus meetings, go on holidays with a group or do anything much.

Where did you hear there’s a problem booking PCRs in Wales GrannyGravy13, as I know somebody who booked and had one this morning?
The infection rate is high here now so it wouldn’t surprise me, but I can’t find any reference to that being an issue, although there is with availability of lateral flow tests.

Casdon

Where did you hear there’s a problem booking PCRs in Wales GrannyGravy13, as I know somebody who booked and had one this morning?
The infection rate is high here now so it wouldn’t surprise me, but I can’t find any reference to that being an issue, although there is with availability of lateral flow tests.

It was on the BBC2 news at lunchtime Casdon

Thanks - they must have been more up to date than the online version! The rate has gone up really quickly here after Christmas, so my friend must have been lucky to get hers today before the rush.

Yes, nanna8, I have friends in Australia, it's been tough. At least now, the medics know what they're dealing with and you've had peace of a sort while we've been watching the bodies pile up. Good luck to all of you.

LF tests are in short supply in some areas, due to the fact that everyone wants to have some in the house in case they need it, but I question that all the areas mentioned by you WW ( from the Internet?) are correct....clearly they are not as my son picked some up at a pharmacy only yesterday.

Things are looking optimistic now, and the massive rise in boosters and people being more naturally cautious has really helped.

DS ordered LFT this morning for GC school tests next week, after speaking to him I went online and managed to order some for delivery by Friday 31/01/21.

Speaking to friends and family in several Counties, it’s best if you go online and order first thing in the morning.

There are no packs available in my local pharmacy.

I don't understand if there are no tests available nationwide, where are all the cases coming from?

schools and colleges sent pupils home with them
my daughters care providers were able to supply LFT and PCR
so I'm guessing the supply issues are to general every day adult people and we were told to test before meeting people etc so there obviously were not enough available if people cannot get them

I have had a thought, could there also be disruption to the postal service because of Christmas/Bank holidays/staff sickness/ staff holiday/staff isolation which may also contribute to supply?

Casdon

Where did you hear there’s a problem booking PCRs in Wales GrannyGravy13, as I know somebody who booked and had one this morning?
The infection rate is high here now so it wouldn’t surprise me, but I can’t find any reference to that being an issue, although there is with availability of lateral flow tests.

There was but I'm not sure about now as new drive-in centres were opened up. Previously it was necessary to cross the border to England to get a pcr test.

We’ve had a PCR testing centre for ages where I am Calistemon (mid Wales), they started out putting it in whichever town the high infection levels were, but it’s been in Builth Wells which is central, for months now. It must be location dependent I guess.

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I think it is from today that France has made the interval time 3 months instead of 4 months to receive the booster. My friend also said they are going back to table service in cafés and bars, so no standing up while drinking. Her grandchildren are going back to school on Monday next week.
Once the virus hits there seems no holding it back.

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I couldn't agree more. It's what I've suspected for a while now. Full lockdowns do lessen the rates of infection, but the other 'precautionary' measures seem to have little/no effect.

The 'tsunami' of Omicron infections in both Wales and Scotland only highlight that masks, strict hospitality rules, etc, do very little (or nothing) to limit spread. Though all the people from Scotland and Wales travelling into England to celebrate New Year will certainly bring England's rates up again. And who will get the blame? The government, for not being strict enough!!! Aagggh!

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

It’s pure luck that the latest variant is so mild. Had it been otherwise we would be in big trouble now.

Though all the people from Scotland and Wales travelling into England to celebrate New Year will certainly bring England's rates up again.

I've decided just to post on important things. This seems quite important.

England's rate per 100,000 on the government site is 1,200. Scotland's is 602 - i.e. half the rate.

So it won't be us putting your rates up come Hogmanay, you'll have to find someone else to blame. Your tsunami makes ours look like a little wave on the beach.

GrannyGravy13

Just seen on Twitter (SpectatorIndex) that France have recorded 208,000 Covid cases today. This is despite Covid passports, mandatory masks, nightclubs closed and strict hospitality rules.

I am beginning to think this virus (whatever the mutation) will continue on it’s path whatever us humans do…

I agree GG13
Just hope people are sensible on New Years Eve, the crowds will be outside mainly though.

... sensible on New Years Eve...

yeah, sure!